• Mechanobiology of bone marrow - Investigated the response of porcine trabecular bone to low magnitude mechanical stimulation using an in situ bioreactor. Measured an increase in bone formation via fluorescent and μCT histomorphometry in the absence of osteocyte signaling, suggesting a role for marrow cells in mechanotransduction. Identified mechanoregulatory genes and proteins in marrow cells that were differentially expressed during loading using biochemical assays and RT-qPCR. Determined shear stress to be the mechanical stimulus in the marrow that alters gene expression using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models.• Chemotactic and mechanical cues driving metastasis of bone – Determined the effects of mechanical microenvironment on breast cancer metastases in bone. Studying chemokines in marrow cell populations responsible for attracting cancer cell migration, examining in situ metastatic progression during mechanical stimulation of tumor-burdened human bone using biochemical assays, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. • High throughput culture of MSCs – Developed a stirred-tank bioreactor to culture anchorage-dependent mesenchymal stem cells using hollow microcarriers. Monitored media pH, dissolved oxygen, and glucose to optimize culture conditions.

• Mechanical microenvironment on cancer cell proliferation – Examined the effects of substrate stiffness and mechanical compression on proliferation of metastatic cancer cells embedded in a gelatin hydrogel using bioreactor culture.

• Immunoassay research and development - Investigated the matrix used in SNAP diagnostic tests and evaluated the feasibility of replacement materials to increase flow rate and maintain functionality. Assisted an immunoassay platform development for feline cardiac and pancreatic disease by examining various antibody coatings.• Diagnostic instrumentation - Examined immunoassay capability on the an instrument designed solely to analyze blood chemistry in animals.

• Immunoassay research and development - Investigated the matrix used in SNAP diagnostic tests and evaluated the feasibility of replacement materials to increase flow rate and maintain functionality. Assisted an immunoassay platform development for feline cardiac and pancreatic disease by examining various antibody coatings.• Diagnostic instrumentation - Examined immunoassay capability on the an instrument designed solely to analyze blood chemistry in animals.