Post-Doctoral Research Associates

Dr. Sara Pedron
Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering (Inst. of Polymer Science and Technology, CSIC), 2008
ChBE/Institute for Genomic Biology, UIUC

Project: :Development of 3D matrices to mimic the glioma tumor microenvironmet.

Human glioblastoma multiforme (hGBM) is the most common, aggressive, and deadly form of brain cancer.Despite advances in surgical methods and chemotherapy strategies, glioblastomas continue to be associatedwith poor prognoses. A significant problem is that almost all our understanding of hGBM derives from 2Dcell culture systems that do not accurately reflect the structure, function, or physiology of living tissues. Weaim to develop a 3D culture platform to assess cell-matrix interactions implicated in carcinogenesis. Thesebiomaterials will replicate the spatial distributions of oxygen, metabolites and defined cell cues to mimic the complex native hGBM microenvironment.

Dr. Nathaniel Gabrielson
Ph.D., Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (UIUC), 20XX
IGB Fellow, Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering Theme

Project: :‘Microfluidic technologies to monitor hESC differentiation, vascular tubulogenesis’

Graduate Research Assistants

	Steven Caliari (2008 - present). Why isnt this updating!!!! NIH CBI-TP Fellow: 2010 – 2012 B.S. Chemical Engineering, (U. Florida), 2007 M.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, (UIUC), 2010. Thesis: 'Design and characterization of an aligned collagen-GAG scaffold-membrane composite with soluble factor presentation for tendon tissue engineering' Project: Spatially-patterned collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold composites for tendon tissue engineering With over 32 million tendon and ligament injuries in the US each year with associated costs of $30 billion, the need for viable tendon repair strategies is becoming increasingly important. The goal of my research is to develop a clinically functional, acellular collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffold for tendon tissue engineering. My work will focus on the integration of three key elements into the scaffold design: an aligned (anisotropic) microstructure to mimic native tendon, a core-shell composite design to increase mechanical competence in tension, and dynamic modulation of biomolecule presentation to improve tendon cell recruitment, proliferation, and functional matrix biosynthesis. About Me: When I'm not toiling away in the lab I enjoy sports, music, and homebrewing.
	Ji Sun (Sunny) Choi (2008 - present) B.S.E. Chemical Engineering, (U. Michigan - Ann Arbor), 2008 M.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, (UIUC), 2011. Thesis: Project: Extracellular factors that determine cell fate decisions in hematopoietic stem cells My project focuses on assessing the cell-matrix interactions on hematopoietic stem cell biophysical properties and early fate decisions (proliferation, motility, differentiation) by using flexible collagen hydrogel systems with varying mechanical properties. About Me: Apart from doing research, I enjoy hanging out with friends, watching movies, cooking and dancing. This year, I'm trying to stay more active by working out more regularly and taking tennis lessons.
	Bhushan Mahadik (2008 - present) B.S. Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2008 M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois, 2010 Project: Engineering Cell-Cell Interactions for Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell niches During hematopoiesis, the hematopoietic stem cells differentiate as well as self renew, leading to the formation and development of blood cells. A high level of molecular cross-talk and multiple interactions between the cells and their surroundings takes place during this process. My research is oriented towards understanding the cell-cell interactions between HSPCs and other cells in the body and their effects on cell fate. A variety of cells under varying conditions will be studied. While starting off with 2D scaffolds, the research will eventually lead to 3D scaffolds to mimic the niche in the body. About Me: Squash, Racketball (lets just say any racket game!), Cricket, Reading, Online gaming, Music, watching sports, hanging out with friends pretty much sums up my interests on a nonworking/after work day.
	Emily Gonnerman (2009 - present) B.S. Chemical Engineering, (U. Nebraska - Lincoln), 2009 M.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, (UIUC), 2011. Thesis: Project: Biophysical cues on cardiac stem cells Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are attractive targets for cardiac tissue engineering applications, but little is known about how CSCs respond to the extrinsic signals associated with physiological and pathological conditions. I am developing collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold arrays with systematically defined microenvironments in order to study CSC-scaffold interactions. My goal is to identify specific biophysical cues that can be used to modulate CSC behavior. About Me: I love spending time in libraries and bookstores, especially if they have coffee shops
	Dan Weisgerber (2009 - present) B.S. Physics (Georgia Institute of Technology), 2009 Project: Fabrication and Characterization of Multi-Compartment Scaffolds for Interface Regeneration My research addresses the design, fabrication, and characterization of scaffolds for the treatment of injuries occurring at the interface between two different tissues. The approach to this emerging problem is to lyophilize or freeze dry two distinct suspensions of collagen and glycosaminoglycans layered via a liquid phase co-synthesis technique. The resulting scaffold is a highly porous network of collagen fibers that cells can migrate into, proliferate, differentiate, and eventually remodel to the native extracellular matrix. Following fabrication, I characterize the microstructure, chemistry, pore size, mechanics, and bioactivity through a wide variety of techniques including micro-CT, XRD, SEM, histology, and gene expression to name a few. About me: I enjoy a riding my motorcycle, ice skating, and rock climbing in addition to more quiet passtimes like drawing, reading novels, listening to music, and programming.
	Jackie Pence (2010 - present) Project: Development of Angiogenic Biomaterial patterning techniques based on endometrial physiology The endometrium exhibits rapid, cyclical vascularization regulated via spatial and temporal expression of hormones Estrogen (E2) and Progesterone (P) that in turn regulate pro- and anti-angiogenic signaling. I hypothesize that controlled presentation of estrogen and IGF will alter bioactivity and angiogenic potential of endothelial and epithelial cell populations, and may be sufficient to induce early angiogenesis. This will further allow for the development of spatially- and temporally-controlled patterns of instructive biomolecules within a biomaterial is a current limitation in biomaterials science. About me: During my free time, I like to cross-stitch, watch squirrels, photograph wildlife, and go hiking at Allerton park.
	Rebecca Hortensius (2011 - present) NSF GRFP Fellow (2010-2013) B.S. BioEngineering (Syracuse University), 2009 M.S. in Biomedical Engineering (U. of Michigan), 2011. Thesis: Project : Design of collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds for biomolecule harnessing and gene delivery Research description: Biomaterials designed for tissue engineering are largely modeled after the extracellular matrix (ECM), the complex polymer tissue structure responsible for the structural support of cells as well as the presentation of soluble and insoluble factors. Collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds have been studied for their use as tissue engineering constructs; both materials are prevalent in the natural ECM. My project is focused on the study of gene delivery and biomolecule sequestration through chemical and compositional variations of CG scaffolds for tendon and bone tissue engineering. About me: I enjoy cooking, reading, knitting, being outside, and watching college basketball.
	Laura Mozdzen (2011 - present) IGERT Fellow (2011-2013) B.S. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, (U. Iowa), 2011 Project: Spatially-patterned collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold composites for tendon tissue engineering The goal of my research is to design clinically relevant collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds to repair the tendon-bone interface after injury or chronic failure. My project consists of two themes: developing an interlocking, mechanically robust interface between a tendon and a bone compartment and spatially patterning gradients of growth factors (GF) and other chemical cues to promote cellular differentiation. About Me: After spending 4 years as a Division I swimmer, I am now competing in triathlons, with my first half-ironman in 2012. I thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors when I can. First as a college athlete, and now as I triathlete, my lab work focuses on a problem which is extremely applicable to my everyday life.