Hanna Anderson

Project(s): Investigating the Mechanoresponse of Dural Cells under Acoustic Radiation Force and its Contribution to Cranial Bone Regeneration

Mentor: Yusuf Khan, Ph.D.

Kevin Grassie

Project(s): Modulated Ultrasound-Derived Acoustic Radiation Force and its Local Mechanical, Cellular, and Osteogenic Effects on Cell-Hydrogel Constructs for Bone Repair

Mentor: Yusuf Khan, Ph.D.

Maxwell Landolina

Project(s):
• In-Space Manufacturing of a Janus Base Nano-Matrix for Cartilage Repair
• Optimization and Application of a Janus Base Nano-Matrix for Cartilage Regeneration and Cell Delivery

Mentor: Yupeng Chen, Ph.D.

Madison Hicks

Project(s):
• Light Soft-Actuated Bionic Regenerative Engineering (Light SABRE) Brace System

Mentor: Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

 

Godwin Dzidotor  (4/2018 – 7/2025)

Project(s): Light Soft-Actuated Bionic Regenerative Engineering (SABRE)
Injectable and Biodegradable Piezoelectric Hydrogel for Medical Applications
Articular Cartilage Regeneration using Biodegradable Piezoelectric Nanofiber Hydrogel with Ultrasound Treatment

Mentor: Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

 

Travis Wallace (8/2023 – 7/2025)

Project(s): Regenerative engineering strategies for aged bone, especially those that are highly translatable. One such strategy under investigation in the Kuhn Lab is local and sustained delivery of drugs via novel biomaterials.

Mentor: Liisa T. Kuhn, Ph.D.

Currently a PhD Candidate

 

Andreia Cadar (10/1/2022 – 9/30/2024)

Project(s): Mechanisms of Flu Induced Muscle Damage with aging and potential regenerative interventions

Mentor: Jenna Bartley, Ph.D.

Currently a PhD candidate in the UConn Center on Aging and Department of Immunology.

 

Steven Toro (10/1/2022 – 9/30/2024)

Project(s): In situ formed microneedles for local delivery of myogenic and immunomodulatory

Mentor: Ali Tamayol, Ph.D.

Currently a Biomedical Science Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut Health Center, studying Skeletal Biology and Regeneration.

 

Tra Vinikoor (10/01/2023 - 07/19/2024)

Project(s):

• Injectable and biodegradable piezoelectric hydrogel for osteoarthritis treatment
• Single-Administration Self-Boosting Microneedle Patch For The Treatment

Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvent Of Lidocaine And Vitamin C (T-Livit) For Pain-Relief, Applied In Osteoarthritis Pain Treatment

Mentor: Thanh D. Nguyen, Ph.D.

 

Rachel Marchini (07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024)

Project(s): Development of the synthetic artificial stem cell (SASC) for use in a rat model of Osteoarthritis (OA)

Mentor: Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

Currently a PhD student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Connecticut.

 

Heather Wanczyk (07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024)

Project(s): Engineering Pediatric-Sized Airways using Advanced 3D Bioprinting Technology

Mentor: Christine M. Finck, M.D.

Currently a PhD student in Biomedical Science at the University of Connecticut Health Center- Department of Cell Biology.

 

Keaven Caro (10/1/2022 – 9/30/2023)

Project(s):

• Resolve C1QL3 trans-synaptic adhesion complex at synapses and determine its role in synaptic density
• Identify regulatory mechanism of C1QL3-mediated cell-cell adhesion

Mentor: David Martinelli, Ph.D.

Currently a M.D./Ph.D. student in the Martinelli lab in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

 

Jacob Quint, Ph.D. (9/1/2021 – 8/31/2023)

Project(s):

• Aerobic exercise and scaffolds with hierarchical porosity synergistically promote functional recovery post volumetric muscle loss (VML)
• Approximating scaffold printability utilizing computational methods

Mentor: Ali Tamayol, Ph.D.

Currently a Post doctoral researcher, UConn Health Center