Christopher Bertucci Email & Phone Number

Tarrytown, New York, Us

Tarrytown, New York, Us

- Optimize/characterize new bioassays as they are transferred into the Biological Testing laboratory- Generate protocols, perform technical analyses, data analysis, and write reports- Lead validation of new bioassays following optimization and characterization- Evaluate new methodologies, lab procedures, lab equipment, and analyses when needed- Participate in troubleshooting technical and procedural issues- Interact with outside customers or functional peer groups.

Boston, Ma, Us

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATENortheastern University, Boston, MASeptember 2018 – CurrentAdvisors: Abigail Koppes, Ph.D. and Ryan Koppes, Ph.D.• Evaluated suitability of novel bio-adhesive in rat peripheral nerve repairo Problem: Existing bio-adhesives used in peripheral nerve repair lack mechanical properties to act as stand-alone and require use of sutureso Hypothesis: Novel bio-adhesive material will promote nerve repair through unique physicochemical properties without risk of additional sutureso Prepared and troubleshot new lab protocol for applying rat sciatic nerve injury and subsequent surgical repair with or without application of bio-adhesives

Us

Advisors: Julie Glowacki, Ph.D. and Shuanhu Zhou, Ph.D.• Investigated the biological mechanisms underlying aging and disease in bone• Studied effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on bone formation o Problem: CKD is associated with increased bone loss and fracture risk o Hypothesis: FGF23 inhibits vitamin D metabolism and stimulation of osteogenic differentiation in clinically-derived human mesenchymal stem cells o Characterized FGF23-mediated changes in gene and protein expression o Designed experiments to test biological reproducibility in cells from subjects across age and gender• Tested proof-of-concept in vitro cartilage explant model for studying human cartilage degeneration and therapeutic interventions o Problem: Inadequate in vitro models hinder drug screening in cartilage disease o Hypothesis: Human cartilage explants subjected to defined, composite loading constitutes a representative trauma model of cartilage degeneration o Applied defined hydrostatic, osmotic, and inflammatory loads to intact primary human cartilage explants o Characterized load-mediated changes in isolated chondrocyte gene expression

Troy, Ny, Us

Advisor: Deanna Thompson, Ph.D.Tools for Rapid Screening of 3D Composite Materials and Optimization of Cell Behavior• Developed cost-effective platform and assays for 3D phenotypic screening• Material and assay development o Problem: No easily customizable commercial systems for screening cell phenotype in combinatorial 3D microenvironments o Designed miniature custom arrays for cell-encapsulated 3D biomaterials that were compatible with high content imaging systems o Developed image processing scripts to improve image quality and permit data extraction and analysis o Characterized combinatorial biomaterial properties through Western blots, histology, and rheometry• Screened combinatorial materials for optimal 3D neural and glial growth o Problem: Better tissue regenerative outcomes can be achieved by better recapitulating the complex composition of the native tissue o Broadly applicable system validated using primary rat neural and glial cells o Evaluated screening libraries consisting of protein and growth factor combinations in 3D collagen hydrogels o Identified biomaterials optimized for cell growth and migration

Houston, Tx, Us

• Developed proof-of-concept 3D wound healing assay in 3D cell culture system• Evaluated novel multi-well format design to increase 3D cell culture throughput• Performed routine cell culture and product quality control• Conducted customer discovery and generated potential leads

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bioengineering And Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Bioengineering And Biomedical Engineering