iREDEFINE Spotlight - Taylor Baum

September 2024

iREDEFINE Alumni Spotlight 

Taylor Baum

PhD Student

Tell us about yourself and what institution you are from.

My name is Taylor Baum, a rising 6th year graduate student at MIT in the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In general, I solve both problems impacting patients in the operating room and students in underserved communities. My PhD thesis focuses on developing a complete, autonomous system for arterial blood pressure regulation. This system is designed to ensure adequate end-organ perfusion — oxygenation of vital organs — during surgical procedures and in intensive care settings. By automating blood pressure control, I aim to significantly enhance the precision and effectiveness of current manual methods used in clinical practice. My passion project, Sprouting, is a social impact initiative where I create accessible curricula designed to spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among students who have limited access to these opportunities. Through Sprouting, I have organized events across the U.S. and Puerto Rico that consistently boost participants' confidence and inspire them to pursue their passions.

What made you interested in ECE?

My passion for Electrical Engineering was sparked when I discovered Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and their transformative potential in improving the quality of life for patients with conditions like ALS. Integrating BCIs with semi-autonomous wheelchairs offered such patients enhanced mobility and independence, and I was privileged enough to work on such a project as a biology student. Soon after, I added Electrical Engineering as a major, fell in love with signal processing and control theory and began to apply it to biological problems I cared about. I found such beauty in the ability of such mathematical techniques to elucidate actionable insight from the information around us.

What are your career goals?

During my PhD, I made significant strides in developing a closed-loop system for blood pressure control, and there is still much to pursue in advancing this project, including ongoing collaborations that have emerged from this work. My closed-loop blood pressure regulation system is currently undergoing validation testing and has successfully demonstrated the ability to regulate arterial blood pressure in animal models. Transitioning this technology to human applications will require significant efforts to secure FDA approval. This work has fostered recent and ongoing collaborations with Professor John Rogers at Northwestern University, where we are developing a novel flow sensor to integrate into the system, and Professor Dina Katabi at MIT, with whom we are validating a non-invasive sensor for physiological signal monitoring. In addition to my main thesis work, I collaborate with Dr. Usha Tedrow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where I am building methods to support clinical decision-making in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia.

To continue exploring these high-impact research questions and collaborations, my goal is to join the faculty at an institution with animal facilities and strong connections to a medical school or healthcare facility. A professorship would not only enable me to advance my research but also allow me to fulfill my passion for teaching, combining both pursuits in a meaningful way.

What are the benefits of participating in the iREDEFINE Workshop?

The iREDEFINE workshop provided invaluable insight into the faculty application process, offering both a supportive community to lean on during challenging moments and the confidence to pursue what can feel like a daunting path. It provided a framework for self-advocacy and, crucially, the time and space to reflect on my research goals and identity as a scientist — an opportunity rarely afforded amidst the fast-paced demands of academia.

What were your main takeaways, and what was your favorite workshop session?

My favorite workshop was the mock interview session, where we had the unique opportunity to be interviewed by ECE Department Heads in a lower-pressure setting compared to a real interview. This experience highlighted areas where I needed to formalize my research plans and preparations, while also giving me valuable insight into how to practice for interviews to ensure they are both efficient and effective.

My main takeaways are that there is a strong community advocating for diversity in academic faculty positions within ECE departments, and that I am fully capable of pursuing a faculty role. Fear, something I know all too well, often pushes us to shrink. iREDEFINE empowered me to step forward and take up space: to embrace my ambitions and confidently pursue my goals.