Senior Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, Department of Biomedical Engineering
June 2018-present
PI: Wei Yin, Ph.D., Berhane Ghebrehiwet, DVM, DSc.
Focus 1: Causes of edema, shear stress leading to endothelial cell permeability
Angioedema is a leading side effect of ACE Inhibitor medications. I am currently investigating the pathways that lead to increased endothelial cell permeability under shear stress conditions. By better understanding these mechanisms, it allows me to target and block plasma protein interactions with the endothelial cells lining the vasculature, possibly inhibiting the effects of edema.
Skills
- Cell culture techniques
- Western Blotting
- solid-state ELISA
- Fluorescence Microscopy
- Image analysis using ImageJ
- Safety Training for Biosafety Level 1 and 2 (BSL-1 and BSL-2)
Training undergraduate and graduate students on laboratory techniques
Myself on the left training visiting summer REU student Chloe Ong
Focus 2: Simulations of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the US. Finding the hemodynamic and biomechanical drivers of this disease that lead to increased risk of adverse events is of key importance.
Skills:
- COMSOL Multiphysics software for FSI simulation
- Hyperelastic and non-linear solutions
- Netfabb and Meshmixer (Autodesk)
- CITI Research Ethics and Compliance Training: Conflicts of Interest, Good Clinical Practice (FDA focus), Huma Data/Tissues, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in the Biomedical Sciences, Human Research in the Biomedical Sciences (basic 2)
Cornell University Summer Research Scholars Program, NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva NY, Department of Plant Pathology
Summer 2017
PI: Awais Khan, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researchers: Elsa Desnoues Ph.D. and Julliany Silva Ph.D.
Focus: Quantitative genetics, disease resistance mechanisms, genomics of rosaceous fruits
Skills:
- Created high throughput image analysis program combining ImageJ and Wolfram Mathematica
- Designed experimental protocol to detect early disease infection using florescence detection in apple leaves
Field research with other Cornell Summer Scholars
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Stony Brook University, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Spring 2016-Spring 2018
PI: Wei Yin, Ph.D.
Focus: Cardiovascular Disease Research and Platelet Aggregation
Skills:
- Immunohistochemical staining
- Using a cone and plate shearing device to shear cells and platelets
- Prothrombinase Assay to measure platelet activation
- Image Analysis using ImageJ
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, State University of New York, Summer Research Passport Program, Department of Mathematics
Summer 2015
PI: Edmond Rusjan, Ph.D.
Skills:
- Programming in python
- Experience optimizing model parameters for blood flow through the retina
- Testing of model boundary conditions against physiological measurements
Brookhaven National Lab Summer Research Program, Department of Physics
Summer 2013 and 2014
PI: Yannis Semertzidis, Ph.D.
Skills:
- mathematical modeling of electric and magnetic particle storage rings
Publication: Metodiev, E. M., et al. “Analytical benchmarks for precision particle tracking in electric and magnetic rings.” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 797 (2015): 311-318.