I am currently conducting research in the Yin lab. I am working with PhD student Marina Fandaros to investigate the role aorta biomechanics play in the development and progression of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). ATAA rupture, which is associated with a high rate of patient mortality, necessitates the need for routine medical imaging evaluations to assess patient risk. Unfortunately, the clinical criteria used to recommend patients for elective surgery to repair the aorta is based on general, non-specific guidelines and often fails to identify those at high risk for aortic rupture. Thus, our work seeks to address this problem by investigating correlations between aorta hemodynamics and ATAA development and risk of rupture in the hopes of improving clinical intervention criteria.

My work on the project involves the creation and solution of patient specific finite element models. Using computed tomography angiography data of healthy and ATAA patients received from Stony Brook University Hospital, I create 3D geometries of the aorta lumen and wall and use COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate blood flow. From these results, the magnitude and location of wall shear stress and von mises stress within the aortic wall can be plotted. Using longitudinal patient data and comparisons between diseased and healthy models, we aim to identify and quantify biomechanical parameters that show high correlation with ATAA development and may serve to predict rupture-prone aortas.

Source for picture on right: https://newportcts.com/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/