At a young age, I had a desire to help people with their health-related problems, but I was unsure of how to contribute. After taking my biology class in high school, I thought that I could impact society through studying biology. During my undergrad at Skidmore College, I studied biology concentrating on molecular and genetics. I researched the effects of light on circadian rhythms with its effect on fruit flies with Dr. Bernard Possidente, and the effects of prescription medication on E.coli development with Dr. Sylvia McDevitt. I received my Bachelors in Biology with a 3.5 GPA in 2008. I realized that I wanted to impact society with my research immediately by solving problems with biological processes and aiding in the solution.
Considering my background in biology, I decided I wanted to make the impact I desired through the field of biomedical engineering. I could impact people by creating solutions for health-related issues by creating devices and products. After Dr. Debra Auguste explained her research projects, where she described building scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery for cancer treatment, I knew that I wanted to pursue as it links improving health in society with creating devices.
In October 2014, I was given the research opportunity to work in Dr. Debra Auguste’s lab with Elizabeth Mansfield. Elizabeth was researching 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogel modification for tissue engineering applications. The purpose was to create a construct for neonates that would possess similar mechanical properties and be biocompatible to reduce stenosis and other effects that occur after surgery. Hydrogels display a property in which the Young’s modulus of a construct will increase with increased exposure time to UV light. Using this property, we created patterned hydrogels. The research entailed mimicking tracheal patterning of cartilage and annular ligaments with HEMA, and potentially mimicking the mechanical properties. I helped to create, test, and analyze the data associated with these hydrogel constructs. The research eventually became published, making this my very first publication.
In January 2015, I received a research scholarship from the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation(LSAMP). The requirements of the scholarship instilled the foundation of research techniques I would need to get a PhD. This experience enhanced my ability to perform research , gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process.
Due to the progress and the assistance in the lab, Elizabeth and Dr. Auguste gave me an independent project. That summer I obtained an internship opportunity with LSAMP allowed me to independently research hydrophobic monomers to increase the toughness of the HEMA constructs previously developed. Increasing a biocompatible materials toughness allows for greater applications. Besides doing research we attended meeting geared towards developing our fundamental research skills, which entailed lectures on how to write scientific paper and practice presenting both PowerPoint and poster presentations. The results of the summer research experiences were presented at the end of the summer and at the Annual Peach state LSAMP conference in October 2015 in Athens, Georgia. I received second place for a poster presentation. I continued working on this research, and was given the opportunity to participate in the summer NSF REU. By the end of August 2016, I was able to show that incorporating the vinyl methacrylate monomer, I chose, into the HEMA solution produced a tougher construct, that the mechanical properties of the gel can be tuned to fit the needs of tissue structures like the trachea. This overall achievement proved that hydrogel specifically the HEMA/VM gels could be a probable scaffold solution for tissue regeneration and tissue engineering in general.
As a senior year at the City College of CUNY, I was still an LSAMP scholar working in Dr. Gilda Barabino’s Lab researching and creating microparticle to develop scaffold for artificial sickle cell production. Also, I am still doing research with Dr. Auguste with hydrogel degradation studies, cell culturing on the vinyl methacrylate hydrogels. I am the treasure of Biomedical Engineering Society chapter at City College in which my obligations require strict care with the finances and efficient documentation of expenses. Being a part of BMES allowed me the venue to interact with underclassmen and give them wisdom and guidance about the intensive BME curriculum. I also mentor to a high school student, besides taking the rigorous class load.
As I pursue my graduate degree in biomedical engineering, I want to keep in mind my desire to help people and the impact them through my research. My goal is to research biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery purposes. I would like to create and develop a biocompatible material by working with HEMA other biocompatible polymer combinations to truly create a tougher biomaterial that is extensible as well as strong. To create micro/nanoparticles to either encapsulate drugs and use layer by layering techniques to coat the particle and mimic structures that bind to a target. After my mother passed from cancer last year and seeing her experience, this research has become my passion. My overall goal is to assist people with their lives through research and through their personal development, I will continue to work towards helping underrepresented students to gain experience in the STEM field. Many African American students have the opportunity but are not exposed to the opportunities to participate at a young age. I would like to teach at a college institute and provide these opportunities to young individuals. Without the influence of mentors, I would never have got this far and I believe in reciprocity, as one receives, should it be passed on to others.
Education
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering expected graduation in May 2022
City College of The City University of New York, New York, NY
Bachelors of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering May 2017
Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Bachelors of Science in Biology May 2008
Experiences
The Empire Innovators and the China Experience
In July of 2016 I was given an opportunity to go to China for a cultural/ research exchange. The intent was that this trip would spark intercultural communication build bridges for future research participation from Americans. My experience in China has been eye opening. I have learned a lot from the mannerisms, and the meaning behind how Chinese people live and express living in life. After being taught about collectivism, how to share and keep everyone involved, I felt that moving forward together will help my future advancements. My perspective of the world outside the U.S has shifted and caused me to be open about the world and its experiences. I now realize that incorporating aspects an thoughts of other cultures will not only make life better for us but for them as well. This is besides the experiences like the view from the great wall, but sights like that allowed me to realize that the world is greater than what can be seen in front of you. I am extremely thankful for this experience as it has a lasting effect on how I will move in the future towards and obtain a more collective world goal rather than my individual success.
Ndugu and Nzinga
Nothing has taught me more about culture and character development than Ndugu and Nzinga African Rites of Passage https://www.ndugunzinga.org/. This group is focused on 5 fundamental principles, which are , Humility, Wisdom, Spirituality, Nurturing and Forgiveness. They have given nothing but wisdom, sight, and inspiration as I am maturing through my professional development.