Department of Biomedical Engineering  

University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: (973) 596-5272 Fax: (973) 596-5222 

Email: tara.l.alvarez@njit.edu 

• Ph.D. BioMedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ,  May, 1998

• M.S. BioMedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, January, 1997

• B.S. Electrical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, May, 1994

PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW

• Associate Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ Jun 2006 - Present   See research page

• Assistant Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ Aug 2001 – Jun 2006

• Architect, Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies Inc., Whippany, NJ Aug, 1998 – Aug 2001; Designed end to end voice, data, and video solutions

• Adjunct Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ Fall 2000 ; Taught Data and Computer Communication class on circuit and packet switching

• Systems Engineer, DPC- Cirrus Inc., Randolph, NJ Nov, 1997 – Aug, 1998                    

• Research Graduate Assistant, Vision Research Laboratory 1995 - 1998       

• Teaching Assistant, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 1993

• Engineering Intern, AT&T Bell Labs, Middletown, NJ Summers 1990-1995  

GRANTS

• Alvarez TL (PI) "The Vergence Component: An Indicator for Adaptation in Progressive Lens Wear" from 1/2007 to 1/2020 Source: Essilor Inc. $254,103 Alvarez TL (PI)   “Graduate Research Supplement for Women or Minority Students”  from 7/2005 to 7/2006 Source: National Science Foundation (NSF): $32,994

• Alvarez TL (PI)  CAREER Award “Mapping the Mind in Search of Oculomotor Learning Strategies”  from 3/2005 to 3/2010 Source: National Science Foundation (NSF): $400,000

• Alvarez TL (co-PI) Semmlow JL "The Impact of Vergence Adaptive Process of Progressive Lens" from 4/2003 to 4/2006 Source: Essilor Inc.: $120,000

• Alvarez TL (PI) "Effects of Light Stimulation" from 5/2003 to 8/2003 Source: Department of Defense via VA Medical Center: $20,000

• Alvarez TL (PI) "Northeast Bioengineering Conference Paper and Design Competition"  from 9/2003 to 9/2004 Source: Whitaker Foundation: $7,500

• Alvarez TL (PI) "Evaluation of After-Image Stimulation on Temporal and Dynamic Features of Eye Movements"  from 9/2002 to 9/2003 Source: Department of Defense via VA Medical Center: $51,941

• Alvarez TL (PI) "Neural control and Component Interaction in Disparity Vergence Observed under Predictive and Nonpredictive Conditions" from 9/2001 to 9/2003 Source: Separately Budgeted Research Grant from New Jersey Institute of Technology: $40,000

HONORS

• NSF CAREER Award

• Sigma Xi Research Honor Society                                    

• Tau Beta Pi: Engineering Honor Society                                  

• Eta Kappa Nu: EE Honor Society

• Golden Key Honor Society                                              

• Shield and Key Award                                                            

• Garden State Scholarship

• President’s Medal                                                                     

 

PROVISIONAL PATENTS:

Non-Provisional Patent Application Pending at the United States Patent and Trademark Office for Application “Non-Invasive Electro-Mechanical Tonometer for

Measurement of Intraocular Pressure” Inventors Alvarez TL, Thomas G, Moore EJ Serial No.: 10/803,681 Filed 3/18/2004

 

COURSE DEVELOPMENT

BME 489 Biomedical Instrumentation:

Undergraduate junior/ senior level course with an integrate lab to teach students the foundations of how to develop

medical instruments for course information click here

 

BME 661 Neural Engineering:

Graduate course discussing neural networks, functional and anatomical imaging, vision research, EEG, and motor control

for course information click here

 

BME 698 Advanced Topics of Vision Research:

Graduate course exploring areas of vision research

 

Reviewer

• Marcel Dekker Incorporated from 2003 to present

• National Science Foundation

• Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics from 2004 to present

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Financial Chair for 29th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Newark, NJ, USA

• Track Chair for Neural Engineering for 29th Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Newark, NJ, USA

• Member of ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology)

• Member of BMES (Biomedical Engineering Society)

• Member of EMBS (Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society)

• Co-Chair for Student Activities for 28th IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference New York City, NY, USA