Steven Di Jorio
Biomedical Engineering Student & Researcher | CURE Fellow at OUHSC Stephenson Cancer Center | Specializing in Photonics for Early Cancer Detection
Biomedical Engineering Student & Researcher | CURE Fellow at OUHSC Stephenson Cancer Center | Specializing in Photonics for Early Cancer Detection
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Oklahoma, diligently pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with minors in Chemistry, Biology, and Math, on a Pre-Medical track (Expected Graduation: May 2027). My academic journey is driven by a profound interest in the intersection of engineering innovation and medical science.
My career aspiration is to become a "Physicianeer," dedicating my efforts to research focused on the early detection of cancer using advanced photonic methods. This goal is rooted in my experiences as a CURE Undergraduate Research Fellow at the OUHSC Stephenson Cancer Center and my work in neuro-oncology research, where I've had the privilege of applying cutting-edge imaging techniques like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and AI to challenging diagnostic problems.
Beyond the lab, I am passionate about translating technical skills into tangible community impact. Co-founding the Prosthetics Club to connect students with internship opportunities and establishing "Askus coding pathways" to provide free programming education reflect my belief in mentorship and accessible learning. My clinical volunteering at Gospel of Life Disciples - Hospice has further solidified my commitment to compassionate patient care, teaching me the importance of empathy and support in healthcare. I strive to bring a holistic, solution-oriented, and empathetic approach to all my endeavors in engineering and medicine.
OUHSC Stephenson Cancer Center | May 2025 - Aug 2025
University of Oklahoma | Mar 2024 - Dec 2024
This research involved a comprehensive literature review to define and discuss thresholds (qualitative or quantitative) for cystic dilation of Beale’s sacculi (peribiliary glands) versus normal sacculi. The work explored histological criteria, morphological measurements, imaging findings across modalities like MRI, ERCP, EUS, and histopathology, and the clinical relevance of dilation in association with conditions like inflammation, obstruction, or malignancy.
Key findings include: Normal Beale's sacculi are microscopic and dilation is typically "absent or slight." Pathological dilation presents as a spectrum, with "ectasia" defined as <2 mm diameter and "peribiliary cysts" as ≥2 mm. These cysts can range up to 2.5 cm. Histologically, cysts are lined by benign biliary epithelium and do not communicate with the biliary lumen. Imaging reveals fluid-filled structures, and clinical relevance links them to chronic liver diseases and potential neoplastic precursors.
[The full interactive HTML content for the Beale's Sacculi review, including accordions for detailed information on histology, imaging, clinical relevance, comparative views, and knowledge gaps, will be integrated here. This will allow users to dynamically explore the research findings directly on this page.]
Manuscript in preparation (Photonics-based cancer diagnostics).
University of Oklahoma, Gallogly College of Engineering | Norman, OK
B.S. Biomedical Engineering (Expected May 2027)
Minors: Chemistry, Biology, Math
Pre-Medical Track
Awards: Dean's List (Fall '23, Spring '24, Fall '24, Spring '25), President's Outstanding Programming Award '24-'25.
Relevant Coursework: Signals and Systems, Circuits 1, Programming with Python, Applied Engineering Statistics, Organic Chemistry I and II, Differential Equations, Genetics, Engineering Physics I and II.
Role: Founder & Instructor
Founded and instructed at an online coding nonprofit, focusing on empowering K-12 learners through accessible programming education. Successfully secured \$15,000 in match funding from Microsoft to support the initiative.
Role: Behavioral Research Intern, Storylinez Inc. (OU Innovation Hub)
Developed a custom Large Language Model (LLM) to optimize AI-generated advertisements by leveraging psychographic research and real-time consumer behavior analysis. Also contributed as a Scrummaster in preparing presentations for senior engineers and executives.
Role: Cofounder & Executive Outreach Manager
Co-founded the Prosthetics Club, leading outreach efforts that secured and facilitated internships from local prosthetic companies for approximately 84% of club members seeking positions. Established collaborations with local organizations and veterans, and managed social media (Instagram) to significantly increase membership and event attendance.
Role: Personal Project
Developed a Python-based toolkit for processing and analyzing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images. The toolkit includes noise reduction filters, segmentation algorithms, and feature extraction capabilities for quantitative analysis in biomedical research contexts, leveraging skills demonstrated in CURE fellowship.
Gospel of Life Disciples - Hospice | 200+ hours
Provided dedicated hospice care, supporting patients with medication reminders, hygiene care, ambulation assistance, and crucial emotional comfort during end-of-life transitions in a clinical setting. This experience offered profound insights into patient care and the importance of empathy in medicine.
I'm always open to discussing research collaborations, new projects, or opportunities to contribute to the fields of biomedical engineering and medicine.