Current Research:
David Rubenstein, Ph.D, Stony Brook University
Cardiovascular Laboratory
Graduate Research Assistant
I am currently working under Dr. David Rubenstein on vascular tissue engineering. We make electrospun scaffolds that can be used to cultivate endothelial cells and create synthetic blood vessels for implantation, so that an allograft would be unnecessary. My project is focused on improving the fabrication of these scaffolds. Specifically, we are developing a method for increasing fiber alignment within the scaffold, so that endothelial cells will organize themselves to make a vessel more effectively.
Previous Research, 2016 – 2017:
Wei Yin, Ph.D, Stony Brook University
Cardiovascular Laboratory
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I worked with Dr. Yin from fall of 2016 to spring of 2017. We were investigating the clotting cascade in humans, specifically the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin via Ⅹa, and what factors can affect the rate of platelet aggregation. I helped with an existing project which aimed to see how different pathological shear stresses would affect clotting.
Transferable Skills:
- Familiarity with safety protocols of a BSL-2 lab
- Basic lab skills (cell counting, centrifuge usage, aspiration, etc.)
- Platelet washing
- Data Analysis
Previous Research, 2015
2015 Stony Brook International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition
Undergraduate Team Member
I was a part of Stony Brook’s team for the iGEM Competition. Our project was to create an insulin-independent glucose regulation system for implantation in the body using genetically modified e.coli cells. I aided with early wet lab work through inventory management, cell transformation, and plasmid modification and verification. I primarily worked in the dry lab section, learning about mathematical modeling, as well as designing and coding our website. Additionally, I took part in designing our system before lab work began, and helped with presenting our work at the International iGEM Jamboree. Additionally, I participated in team outreach events, such as teaching high school students about synthetic biology. For more information, you can see our team website here.
Transferable Skills:
- Lab inventory management
- Plasmid digestion, ligation, and transformation
- HTML, CSS, Javascript and JQuery
- Team management and conflict mediation
- Project and experimental design
- Teaching experience through outreach events