CV

CV summary. Please download the PDF version for more details.

Contact Information

Name Denish Khatiwada
Professional Title PhD Student in Bioengineering
Email dkhatiw@gmu.edu
Location , Fairfax, Virginia

Professional Summary

PhD student developing a wearable hand exoskeleton for stroke patients and intuitive control strategies using fused sonomyography, EMG, and IMU. Demonstrated proficiency in mechatronics, prototyping, and testing through various robotics projects.

Experience

  • 2023 - Present

    Fairfax, VA

    Graduate Research Assistant
    Empower Lab, George Mason University
    • Designed and prototyped a light weight (450 grams), tendon-driven soft hand exoskeleton for stroke patients.
    • Developed and characterized a novel, 3D-printable, compact rigid chain actuator (80 N output).
    • Implemented residual force control strategy, admittance, and position control in the soft hand exoskeleton.
    • Built a pipeline for multimodal data collection using EMG, sonomyography (SMG) and IMU.
  • 2021 - 2023

    Lalitpur, Nepal

    Product Development Engineer
    Ebolt Mobility
    Worked as an early employee of the electric vehicle startup; shaped key features, and led the battery team.
    • Designed and prototyped a 1.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and thermal management system.
    • Performed thermo-electric and structural simulations in ANSYS.
  • 2016 - 2020

    Pulchowk, Nepal

    Robotics Team Member
    Robotics Club, Tribhuvan University
    • Represented Nepal in ABU Robocon (2017–2019) International Robot Contest.
    • Designed and simulated a unique three-actuator based quadruped robot using CoppeliaSim and Python.
    • Built robotic arms and holonomic drives; synthesized and tested multiple robot mechanisms.

Education

  • 2023 - Present

    Virginia, USA

    PhD
    George Mason University
    Bioengineering
    • Linear Systems and Control, Applied Statistics, Image Processing, Machine Learning, Digital Signal Processing
  • 2016 - 2020

    Nepal

    Bachelor's
    Tribhuvan University
    Mechanical Engineering
    • Engineering Dynamics, Mechanics of Solids, Theory of Machines, Mechanical Design, Material Science, Instrumentation, CAD

Publications

Projects

  • Segmentation of carotid artery walls using U-NET

    Worked on wall segmentation of the carotid artery and calculated wall thickness using deep learning.

  • Design and simulation of hydro turbine runner

    Parameterized blade geometries and performed numerical simulations in ANSYS for a Turgo turbine.

  • R&D project selection using machine learning

    Applied classical ML and neural networks to predict funding selection with SHAP explainable AI.

  • Tool path optimization using genetic algorithms

    Implemented GA to find the shortest path for drilling holes in a custom PCB.

Skills

Software: SolidWorks (Certified), ANSYS Fluent/APDL, CopelliaSim, ADAMS, CATIA V6
Programming: Python, MATLAB, C/C++
Prototyping: Multi-material 3D Printing, Lathe, Milling, Laser cutting, PCB design (KiCAD)

Languages

English : Professional Working Proficiency
Nepali : Native Speaker