Mona Adeli
University of Akron

Mona completed her junior year at the University of Akron where she is pursuing a BS in the Natural Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. During the 2010 summer, Mona worked in the lab of Dr. William R. Wagner, Deputy Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine as well as a Professor of Surgery, Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. In the Wagner lab, Mona also worked with graduate and postdoctoral researchers studying new biomaterials for cardiac tissue engineering. Mona was involved in studying the release rate and bioactivity of proteins and other molecules released from biomaterial matrices under different experimental conditions.

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Daniela Aizpitarte
University of Pittsburgh

Completing her junior year at the University of Pittsburgh, Daniela is majoring in Bioengineering & Chemistry. Daniela worked in the lab of Dr. Rocky Tuan, Director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Within the Tuan lab, Daniela’s summer research focused on determining skeletal stem cells response to alterations in the extracellular environment, including interactions with other cell types, mechanical forces, cell-matrix interactions, and cell-derived signaling factors.

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Shawn Bifano
University of Pittsburgh

This summer Shawn worked with Henry Zeringue, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. A junior next year at the University of Pittsburgh, Shawn is majoring in Neuroscience. Shawn’s research focused on assessment of the parameter space of an oscillatory neuronal circuit. This work explores the development of neuronal circuits, directly applicable to learning more about how to regenerate lost neuronal functional and maybe even maintain vulnerable functionality before it is lost.

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Tenisha Blackwell
Community College of Allegheny College

Tenisha is a senior this year, majoring in Biotechnology at the Community College of Allegheny College. This summer, she worked with Burhan Gharaibeh, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, Stem Cell Research Center. Tenisha’s research focused on DOD priority research to address issues related to combat casualty care—specifically related to compartment syndrome, a battle field traumatic injury that can lead to amputation of limbs and death if not treated.

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Mark Bucsek
University of Pittsburgh

A Bioengineering junior at the University of Pittsburgh, Mark worked in the lab of Dr. Johnny Huard, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Pathology and also Director of the Stem Cell Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. As an intern in Dr. Huard’s lab, Mark was exposed to research focused on expanding the possibilities of tissue engineering by unlocking the potential of gene therapy and adult stem cell research (muscle-derived stem cells) and transferring research findings into the development of effective treatments for damaged or diseased tissues as they relate to the musculoskeletal system.

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Elizabeth Chen
Rice University

Elizabeth is a Bioengineering sophomore student from Rice University. During the summer 2010, Elizabeth was mentored by Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, University Professor of Bioengineering and the Founder and Director of the Musculoskeletal Research Center—a diverse multidisciplinary research and educational center in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Over 450 orthopaedic surgeons, biologists, bioengineering students, and staff have studied and worked in the Woo lab. Elizabeth’s work focused on the application of gene therapy along with the use of engineered tissue scaffolds to improve ligament healing wherein she performed various mechanical and biological characterizations of collagen scaffolds utilizing stretching equipment.

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YaLonda Clemons
Community College of Allegheny College

A second year student at the Community College of Allegheny College, YaLonda is pursuing a Biotechnology degree with plans to articulate to a 4-year institute to complete a Biology degree. YaLonda worked with Dr. Garth Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Center for Genomic Sciences at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. Her work focused on elucidating the genetics of Cupuytren’s contracture, a genetic disorder of wound healing characterized by the formation of cords and nodules on the palmer and plantar fascia resulting in contraction of the phalanges.

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Katherine Johnson
Pennsylvania State University

Katherine is a sophomore majoring in Bioengineering at Pennsylvania State University. Katherine worked with Thomas Gilbert, PhD, Departments of Surgery and Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Her summer research focused primarily on cartilage tissue engineering for tracheal applications.

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Adam Kozemchak
Allegheny College

A sophomore this fall at Allegheny College, Adam is a Biology major. Adam was an intern in the lab of Johnny Huard, PhD, Director of the Stem Cell Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. As an intern in Dr. Huard’s lab, Adam’s work focused on expanding the possibilities of tissue engineering by unlocking the potential of gene therapy and adult stem cell research (muscle-derived stem cells) and transferring research findings into the development of effective treatments for damaged or diseased tissues as they relate to the musculoskeletal system.

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Laura Magnelli
Allegheny College

A Biology junior from Allegheny College, Laura worked with Ellen Gawalt, PhD, Associate Professor in the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Duquesne University. Laura’s research focused on understanding and exploiting the reactivity of biomaterials to improve implant-tissue integration. Summer research interns in the Gawalt lab learn some organic chemistry, surface chemistry, surface analysis, tissue culture, and statistical analysis. This interdisciplinary approach allows the undergraduates to have a well-rounded experience in their 10-week time frame while producing data that leads to publication.

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Stacy McDonald
Community College of Allegheny College

Stacy is student at Community College of Allegheny College, majoring in Biotechnology. This summer she participated in a project in the forensic’s lab of Dr. Robert Huston, at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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Christopher Miller
Vanderbilt University

A sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University, Christopher worked with Julie Phillippi, PhD, in the Thoracic Aortic Disease Research Lab within the Cardiac Division of the Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Christopher participated in developing a 3-dimensional tissue culture for aortic smooth muscle cells.

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Nakia Muhammand
Community College of Allegheny College

Nakia is majoring in Biotechnology at the Community College of Allegheny College. Nakia worked with Latha Satish, PhD, at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. Nakia’s summer research focused on the identification of genes that are responsible for scarless wound healing infections.

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Belita Opene
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Belita will be a sophomore this fall majoring in Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This summer, Belita interned with Kacey Marra, PhD, Director of the Plastic Surgery Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. As an intern in Dr. Marra’s lab, Belita was exposed to research focused on both biomaterials and adult-derived stem cells. Specifically, examining fat-derived stem cells in novel hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, and their behavior in vivo.

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Christina (Chrissy) Plannick
Community College of Allegheny County

Christina is a student at Community College of Allegheny College, majoring in Biotechnology. This summer she participated in a project in the forensic’s lab of Dr. Robert Huston, at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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Ana Porras
University of Texas at Austin

A junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, Ana interned with Stephen Badylak, MD, PhD, DVM, Professor in the Department of Surgery, a Deputy Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and Director of the Center for Pre-Clinical Tissue Engineering within the Institute. Within the Badylak lab, Ana developed an understanding of organ and tissue remodeling, including cell-substrate interactions, intracellular signaling events, and the effect of environmental stressors upon cell differentiation and organization.

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Shannon Prentiss
Clarion University of PA

As a Chemistry major at Clarion University of PA, Shannon worked with Steven Abramowitch, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering. Shannon’s work investigated how mechanical forces and other factors influence the healing of urogenital tissues following a birth injury.

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Ryan Ridenour
Allegheny College

Ryan recently completed his sophomore year at Allegheny College majoring in Biochemistry and Pre-Medicine. This summer Ryan worked with Steven Little, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh. As a summer undergraduate researcher in the Little lab, Ryan’s work focused upon therapies that are biomimetic in that they replicate the biological function and interactions of living entities using synthetic systems.

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Breck Sandvall
Baylor University

A junior at Baylor University, Breck is majoring in Engineering/Mechanical Engineering. During the summer, Breck worked in the lab of Marina Kameneva, PhD, Director of the Hemorheology, Hemodynamics and Artificial Blood Development Laboratory at the McGowan Institute. During the summer, Breck studied the hemorheological and microhemodynamic properties of whole blood and/or red blood cell suspensions alone and with added nanomolar concentrations of blood-soluble drag-reducing polymers.

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Tracy Spirk
Community College of Allegheny County

This summer Tracy worked with Dr. Garth Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Center for Genomic Sciences at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute. A second year student at the Community College of Allegheny County, Tracy is majoring in Biotechnology.

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Evelyn Stevens
Lincoln University

A sophomore of Lincoln University, Evelyn is pursuing a Psychobiology degree. During the summer she worked with Dr. Alan Russell, Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative. The summer found Evelyn contributing to the development of a micro-fluidic cell sorter. Evelyn’s research included a number of aspects: fabrication of the micro-fluidic devices; cell culture to produce cells that can be tested by the sorter; testing of the devices under flow to determine optimal flow conditions; data analysis of the videos of the cells under flow; and modification of the device surfaces to enhance cell sorting.

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Georges Tsemo
CUNY-College of Staten Island

A Chemistry/Mathematics major and junior at the CUNY-College of Staten Island, Georges worked with Robert Parker, PhD, in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Work in the Parker lab focuses on the development of mathematical models of biological systems, or in different terms, the reverse engineering of tissues.

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Charlynn White
Pennsylvania State University

A junior this year majoring in Bioengineering at Pennsylvania State University, Charlynn worked with Kacey Marra, PhD, Director of the Plastic Surgery Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. Charlynn’s research focused on both stem cells and biomaterials. Specifically, examining fat-derived stem cells in novel hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels, and their behavior in vivo.

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Mira Yoon
St. Olaf College

Mira will be a senior this fall as a Biology/Biomedical major at St. Olaf College. Mira interned with Gwendolyn Sowa, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh. Mira’s work investigated the effect of mechanical forces on intervertebral disc cells. Specifically, Mira was involved in examining the effect of mechanical loading on cell metabolism in intervertebral disc cells.

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Jianxin (Jenny) Zeng
University of Rochester

As a Biology major at the University of Rochester, Jenny worked with Michael Sacks, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Jenny’s work is a small step within an enlarged research project focused on the development and experimental validation of a multi-scale modeling strategy to: (A) guide tissue-engineered scaffold design, (B) provide a better understanding of cellular mechanical and metabolic response to local microstructural deformations with cardiac patches and heart valves as targeted clinical applications.