A dark-background microscopic image of a cell treated with fluorescent staining. Each color is displaying a part of the cell being researched.
School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Molecular, celluar and tissue engineering faculty

Molecular, celluar and tissue engineering

Our molecular, cellular, and tissue engineering faculty specialize in developing advanced biomaterials designed to regenerate damaged tissues, pioneering molecular and cellular therapies, and creating targeted drug delivery systems tailored specifically for challenging cancer types that are traditionally difficult to treat. Their research aims to innovate therapeutic strategies that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

Portrait of Madeline Andrews

Madeline Andrews

Assistant Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Andrews’ lab utilizes neural organoids, transplantation models and omics approaches to study human brain development and disease.

Portrait of David Brafman

David Brafman

Associate Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Portrait of Mehdi Nikkhah

Mehdi Nikkhah

Associate Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Nikkhah’s laboratory is currently focused on the integration of innovative biomaterial and microscale technologies to create biomimetic model tissue constructs for regenerative medicine and disease modeling applications.

Portrait of Vincent Pizziconi

Vincent Pizziconi

Associate Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Pizziconi heads the Laboratory of BioInspired Complex Adaptive Systems. His expertise is bioresponsive and biomimetic materials.

Portrait of Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith

Associate Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

The Smith group specializes in developing novel imaging technologies and multiomic biomarker discovery towards applications in women’s health and mental illness.

Portrait of Sarah Stabenfeldt

Sarah Stabenfeldt

Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Stabenfeldt leads her research team in developing regenerative medicine strategies for acute neural injury. Her expertise areas include regenerative medicine, targeted theranostics and neurotrauma.

Portrait of Brent Vernon

Brent Vernon

Associate Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Vernon’s research utilizes the principles of polymer science and chemistry to design and develop in situ gelling materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering and tissue reconstruction.

Portrait of Jessica Weaver

Jessica Weaver

Assistant Professor

School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering

Weaver’s expertise lies in integrating biomaterials, drug delivery, and tissue and immune engineering for the development of functional and immune-protected tissue and cell grafts.