Principal Investigator
Professor of Chemical Engineering
PhD, Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
BS, Chemical Engineering, Anna University
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Kuo-Chen 'May' Wang
5th year Doctoral Student
Biology
BS, Biology, Fu Jen Catholic University
May is originally from Taiwan. The topic of her research is to explore the effect of modulation the signaling pathways involved in cellular contractility on hMSCs chodrogenesis in order to improve the development of clinically translatable cartilage tissue constructs.
Besides working hard in the lab, May also loves to travel.
Yi 'Ellie' Zhong
2nd year Master's Student
Biomedical Engineering
BS, Biology, Peking University
Yi is from China. After completion of her Master's Yi intends on pursuing more graduate education to obtain a Doctorate (She can't get enough!)
The focus of her research is the metabolism of hMSCs (human Mesenchymal Stem Cells) during chondrogenic differentiation using a perfusion microfluidic bioreactor.
Yi likes to play sports -- especially badminton and table tennis. Some call her the master of muscle conditioning. She's open to challenges but if you play her, don't expect to win!
Cong Li
2nd year Master's Student
Chemical Engineering
Cong's research is focused on the mass transport characteristics of nitrosylating agents within a microfluidic device.
Outside of the lab, Cong enjoys travelling, reading, watching movies, and swimming. She also has an undying love of blueberry bagels and sometimes chocolate chip if she gets confused.
Quihan 'Sara' Song
2nd year Master's Student
Chemical Engineering (Co-advised by Dr. Kurt Rhoads)
BS, Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Sara is an international student from China. She loves dancing, traveling and playing sports.
Her research is focused on evaluating the ability of algae to uptake copper via biosorption.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Dean Pontius
4th year Undergraduate Student
Chemical Engineering
Dean is a rising senior undergraduate from Brookline, MA. After graduation he plans on working in industry for a year or two before going to graduate school for biological engineering.
He is currently working on the design and fabrication of a comprehensive set of tools for the high-throughput study of Mesenchymal Stem Cell biology and cartilage engineering.
Outside the lab Dean enjoys doodling (specifically on napkins), riding his bike, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and doing anything food related.
Larissa Rizzi De Freitas
Exchange Student from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
Chemical Engineering
Larissa is a Brazilian girl who wears purple glasses. She takes martial art and acrobatics classes for fun. In her free time, she reads, plays videogames and watches anime. Her favorite TV show is Sherlock, and Sherlock Holmes is also her favorite character. She is a cat person. She currently studies Chemical Engineering, but she has studied psychology for 2 years in the past. She intends to go to grad school somewhere around the world.
Her project involves determining cell traction forces in different conditions by the usage of Traction Force Microscopy.
Clara Dong
4th year Undergraduate Student
Biomedical Engineering
Clara is a huge animal lover. Ever since childhood her dream has been to be a veterinarian. She is currently an undergraduate studying biomedical engineering with a focus on biomaterials. She has a 2 year old Maltese named Milk but her passion for animals doesn't stop there. She is also dedicated to helping rescue dogs.
Clara's research is on the release of vitamin B12 with Mannitol.
OTHER
Kate Aris
1st year High School student at Hathaway Brown
Kate is a High School student from Hathaway Brown. She is researching the stress exerted by Mesenchymal Stem Cells during chondrogenesis via Traction Force Microscopy.
When she isn't diligently analyzing images in the lab, Kate enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, and reading.