Trainees

Ahmed studies mucin dynamics to understand its role in friction and shear dissipation. Also investigates how mechanical priming modulates MSC-derived chondrocyte and macrophage behavior under stimulated joint conditions.

Christian studies the downstream mechanotransduction pathways of viscoelasticity on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to elucidate its role in disease progression.

Ivan's work studies the role that the novel subtype of extracellular vesicles, known as matrix bound nanovesicles, play in osteosarcoma progression.

Renata is investigating extracellular vesicles derived from extracellular matrix as drivers of musculoskeletal tissue repair in collagen biomaterial scaffolds. Also, applies human bone tissue engineering strategies toward coral regeneration.

Ella's work seeks to model and study breast cancer invasion using an engineered microgel-based tissue culture platform

Gianna studies the role of viscoelasticity on cell migration through a fibrillar network, using 3D cell cultures to determine the effects of matrix stiffness and stress relaxation on the activation of fibroblasts.

Emily studies the mechanics of collective cell migration and how different genes modulate the morphology of border cell clusters, a group of 6-8 cells in the Drosophila egg chamber that are an in vivo model for cluster migration. Also investigates additional Rho effectors.

Shaylee focuses on improving EAB sensor responses to small changes in target concentration by designing complex binding mechanisms.

Max is researching both the cargo components and functional effects of cardiac matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV), with the goal of improving treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Maya currently works under Dr. Ryan Stowers in the Bioengineering department, where she is studying how extracellular matrix mechanics affect transcription factor activity and gene expression to drive aggressive disease phenotypes.

Chris studies vesicle pore opening and disassembly by using colloidal membranes. Also seeks to make cross-linked vesicles that do not fall apart in the absence of depletants, resulting in vesicles with tunable pore sizes.

Annie is investigating the mechanism behind how genes govern plasma membrane cholesterol levels and the actin cytoskeleton, enhance trogocytosis mediated death

Isabel aims to identify the fewest components required to generate sustained beating features in active microtubule-kinesin motor systems to develop synthetic cilia

Alec is studying how CRISPR-cas13d could be used to implement genetic control systems in bacterial cells

Anna is studying the role of PIEZO channels in regulating the mechanobiology of cardiomyocytes.

Andrew aims to prevent infection of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on biomaterial implants used to treat major bone defects