Our Team

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Graduate Students

Research
As one of the first members of the Signals Lab, Bayan works on electroencephalogram signal processing to uncover how the brain responds to pain and mental strain. Her research sits at the intersection of neuroscience and cognition, exploring what happens when pain and mental demands collide.

Beyond the Lab
When she steps away from research, Bayan turns to art. Drawing is her way of unwinding and tapping into a different kind of focus.

Research
Maria’s path to the Signals Lab started in Dr. Barkana’s biophysical measurements class, where her interest in the field first sparked. That interest grew into a research focus on Parkinson’s disease, where she studies handwriting patterns to build diagnostic and monitoring models.

Beyond the Lab
When she’s not in the lab, Maria’s either cooking or at the gym, and you won’t get far into a conversation with her without protein coming up somehow.

Research
Rae discovered the Signals Lab as an undergraduate in Dr. Barkana’s biophysical measurements class, where she began by helping Bayan with electroencephalogram research. She’s continued that interest in electroencephalography while also growing her research to include electrocardiogram and thermal imaging, focusing on studying how the body recovers.

Beyond the Lab
On Rae downtime she likes to work with her hands, whether it’s sewing or other crafts. She is always trying to do something to keep her busy.

Research
Meherin discovered the Signals Lab while exploring what the University of Akron had to offer, and her interest quickly took hold. Her study centers on complex cell structures and entotic cell detection and analysis.

Beyond the Lab
Outside of research, Meherin enjoys traveling and exploring new places, and hopes to use her downtime to experience things she hasn’t tried before.

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Undergraduate Student Researchers

Research
Elijah found his way to the Signals Lab when Dr. Barkana first arrived, drawn in by his interest in image segmentation of Optical Coherence Tomography. His focus has since shifted to exploring an EMG wristband to track tremors.

Beyond the Lab
Elijah has gained real-world experience through co-ops and has developed a strong passion for robotics.

Research
Connor joined the Signals Lab through the medical device team, after a lab member mentioned an opportunity to work over the summer. He took the offer and started out on a collaborative project between Dr. Barkana and Dr. Baker focused on E-Tattoos. Now that the project has wrapped up, he’s shifted his focus to developing an EMG wristband to track tremors.

Beyond the Lab
Connor is gaining industry experience through co-ops and making the most of it along the way.

Research
It was Dr. Barkana’s biophysical measurements and bioelectronics classes that pulled Julia into the lab. Since then, she’s supported Bayan and Rae’s electroencephalogram testing while running her own project on the side, digging into how electroencephalogram signals differ when someone speaks a word out loud versus simply imagining it.

Beyond the Lab
Beyond research, Julia’s just as engaged on campus, where her sorority involvement keeps her connected to people across the University of Akron.

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Signals Research Club Members

Members Information Coming Soon.

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Highschool Researchers

Currently, high school researchers are assisting in the lab.

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Alumni

Erin Keller

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Student (August 2023 – September 2024)

Erin Keller | LinkedIn

Kaden Carpenter

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Student (February 2024 – May 2025)

Kaden Carpenter | LinkedIn

Quintin Kelley

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student (February 2025 – May 2026)

Quintin Kelley | LinkedIn

Emma Barna

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student (May 2025 – May 2026)

Emma Barna | LinkedIn

Jen Hatalla

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student (May 2025 – May 2026)

Jen Hatalla | LinkedIn

Adrian Kovshovik

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student (October 2025 – May 2026)

Adrian Kovshovik | LinkedIn