Education
BS, Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 2015
PhD Candidate, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, 2019
Research Interests
Nanotechnology, Stem cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine, CNS disorders
Research Summary
My overall research goal is to develop novel nanotechnologies for the field of regenerative medicine. More specifically, I am interested in developing techniques for the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders and central nervous system injuries. To this end, my research focuses on two main directions: 1) to develop scaffolds to improve transplantation of stem cells into injury sites and 2) to control stem cells differentiation once cells have been transplanted. To do this, I work with a variety of nanomaterials studying their structure and chemical properties in order to develop both advanced scaffolds for cell and drug delivery, as well as biomimetic nanoparticles for transcriptional control. Utilizing 2D manganese dioxide nanosheets our lab was able to develop a scaffold to improve the delivery of cells and drugs into the injured spinal cord using a biocompatible redox degradation mechanism. Separately, our lab has also developed an artificial nanoparticle based transcription factor that can bind to endogenous DNA and regulate gene expression similar to the way a natural transcription factor would. Using these technologies, I hope to further develop and apply them for the treatment of various incurable disorders of the central nervous system.
Awards & Honors
NIH Biotechnology Training Fellowship
NJ Center for Spinal Cord Injury Graduate Fellowship
Representative Graduate Courses Taken
Adult Stem Cell Structure and Dynamics
Concepts in Nanotechnology
Biophysical Chemistry
Leadership & Outreach
Biotechnology Training Advisory Board 2017-2018