Adam Zeiger Email and Phone Number

Advisor: Prof. Krystyn J. Van VlietLaboratory for Material ChemomechanicsDepartment of Material Science and EngineeringProgram in Polymer Science and TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA- Thesis title: “Molecular-scale chemomechanics at cell-cell and cell-matrix interfaces critical to angiogenesis”- Utilized novel combinations of in vitro cell culture, atomic force microscopy (AFM) enabled nanoindentation and imaging, synthesized mechanically tuned polymeric substrata, single molecule and surface functionalization, and fluorescence optical microscopy at physiologically relevant conditions to explore molecular and cellular level interactions of the chemical and mechanical environments that modulate cell function in vivo in order to reproduce these cell responses in vitro- Created novel research tools such as an in vitro uniaxial cell stretcher (preliminary patent application in preparation) and mechanically tunable and flexible tissue culture silicone surfaces- Characterized myriad material types including soft tissues, Cu-Zr films, biodegradable polymers, and surgical adhesives- Awarded Department of Defense national fellowship and National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Award- Initiated and fostered numerous interdisciplinary collaborations with international and regional researchers including groups from the National University of Singapore, Tufts University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and MIT- Presented work at multiple prestigious international conferences and published findings in refereed journals- Graduate Coursework: Biomaterials-Tissue Interactions, Physical Chemistry, Mechanical Behavior, and Synthesis of Polymers, Colloids and Surfactants, Thermodynamics of Materials at Equilibrium, Experimental Mechanics of Soft Condensed Matter

- Organic & Biomaterials Chemistry, 2012

Advisor: Dr. Bradley Layton- Designed and analyzed molecular dynamics simulations for multi-axial tensile and compressive mechanical loading of 256 tubulin protein structures, verifying experimental data and published findings as first author in Biophysical Journal- Assisted in creation of Matlab simulation of model microtubule polymerization in neuronal axons- Helped design experimental protocols to evaluate microtubule mechanics in living neurons

- Engineering Design Lab III, 2007- Basic Fluid Mechanics, 2007- Performance Enhancement of Dynamic Systems, 2006- Thermodynamic Analysis I, 2005-2006- Basic Fluid Mechanics, 2005

Advisor: Prof. Krystyn J. Van Vliet- Developed cytophobic polydimethylsiloxane (silicone, PDMS) coating techniques for monoclonal cell culture- Formulated and optimized protocol for functionalization of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) with Green Fluorescent Protein and confirmed functionalization using atomic force microscopy (AFM)- Aided in preparation of functionalized AFM cantilevers for ligand-receptor interaction experiments

Advisor: Professor Moses Noh- Designed and tested various microfluidic devices (MEMS) for magnetic actuation produced via photolithography and electroplating

- Conducted experiments to determine method of failure for explanted medical devices and advised on redesign of these implants - Worked directly with senior and principal engineers on consulting projects and gained invaluable insight and experience interacting with clients from various industries- Developed, performed, and analyzed mechanical tests on μCT, MTS Mini Bionix II, and Instron 4500 Series systems including: Vertebral fracture testing, polyethylene compression and tension mechanical testing and failure analysis, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene aging and wear studies, white light interferometry and analysis of medical implants- Performed numerous micro-computed tomography scans and developed computational data processing and analysis scripts