Daniela Cerkanowicz Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California, United States

Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States

Supports the planning, execution, and analysis of preclinical studies for medical devices at the Center of Biological Innovation at Boston Scientific. Additionally, aids in the engineering design and development of custom pieces and projects for preclinical specifically.

Abstract:Precisely applied external mechanical stimuli are important for adapting engineered tissue to their appropriate implantation conditions, enhancing cellular alignment, growth, and maintenance as well as their functional regenerative properties. Current innovations and technologies in this field provide a physiologically relevant stimuli to induce these important properties, however they often lack the ease of use necessary to be adapted into regenerative medicine. More specifically, these innovations do not incorporate standard lab well plates, are not adaptable to multiple tissue constructs, and are costly. As such, there is a need for a convenient, versatile, cost-effective, and accurate mechanical stimulator for soft tissue applications. This study works to exploit the use of a novel mechanical stimulator compatible with a standard lab well plate by using coupled neodymium magnetics below and within the well plates. The device also utilizes 3D printed, customizable well inserts for ease of use with different tissue constructs. The novel system was tested using fibrin gels and cell seeded composite fibrin scaffolds to validate its efficiency, at a strain rate of 10.6% per minute for 10% strain at a duty cycle of 8.3%. The experiment was run for 3 different time points (1, 5, and 7 days) and the results suggest that the system enhanced the mechanical properties and cellular alignment of these fibrin gels. The results demonstrate that this novel system is compatible with 6 well plates and is effective for tuning the mechanical properties of fibrin gels, as well as guiding cell alignment in the scaffolds. These results are a promising step for future work which will involve adapting the system for making custom designs for the development of engineered soft tissues.

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Worked with a team to create a biomimetic system for cardiac patch growth. Researched and studied many works of cardiac patch growth. Brainstormed, drafted, and designed a biomimetic system with sustainable growth parameters and stimulation.

Allendale, New Jersey, United States

Organized and ran the chemistry lab which included synthesizing composites and roll milling novel polymers for biomedical applications. Also ran a series of different degradation studies with different solutions, times, and polymers.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

Worked within the Georgia O’Keeffe museum to analyze vibration damage to paintings while in transit. Programmed and assembled our own accelerometers for data analysis on vibration damage. Researched and tested different materials with dampening properties to identify, which material was best for packaging and created different exhibit drafts for the Georgia O’Keeffe museum to showcase our work as requested by them.

Allendale, New Jersey, United States

Degraded and mechanically tested polymers for biomedical applications, assisted in making and maintaining stock solutions for the lab, completed drawings on SolidWorks, and milled parts for mechanical analysis. Also aided in labeling, organized and filing different biomaterial parts.

Fairfield, New Jersey, United States

Responsible for the entire structure and lesson of tiger’s class (3-5 year olds), children’s class, and adult class. Lead and organized taekwondo summer camp, winter camp, and other taekwondo events. Captain of the taekwondo SWAT demonstration team of only black belts and important member of the elite competitive taekwondo SWAT demonstration team. Also competed in the Jr. Olympics for sparring.

Master'S Degree, Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Bachelor'S Degree, Biomedical/Medical Engineering