Functional Biomaterials LaboratoryMaster’s Thesis: Novel Silk Micro-Particle Fabrication Technique for Cancer Therapy • Designed a novel microfluidic device for silk micro-particle fabrication• Manufactured different sized particles by tuning material and device properties for cellular uptake• Characterized particles using SEM and optical microscopy• Assessed doxorubicin binding and release from silk particles• Evaluated particle uptake by neuroblastoma cancer cells and cancer associated macrophages• Examined diazonium coupling of PD1-inhibitory drug to silk• Mentored undergraduates on use of device and other laboratory skills

• Conducted regular office hours and aided with grading• Classes include BME Design, Biomaterial and Tissue Interactions, and Drug Delivery

• Evaluated cancer cell colony formations treated with in-house developed and standard of care drugs • Performed immune and cancer cell biomarker detection on clinical patient samples using immunohistochemistry • Coordinated with contract research organizations to manage clinical trial patient samples for biomarker detection• Managed laboratory inventory and equipment for preclinical department• Assisted in development of drug delivery formulations for cancer stem cells• Communicated results to peers and managers in weekly meetings and reports

Senior Capstone: Pressure Sensitive, Nuclear Targeting Particles for Vascular Gene Therapy• Identified a method to optimally condense and attach a nucleus targeting peptide to DNA• Engineered a pressure sensitive particle for DNA delivery into endothelial cells• Developed a system to assess the binding of targeted particles under flow conditions• Tested the delivery of GFP labeled DNA into the nucleus of cells with fluorescence microscopyNanomedicine and Medical Acoustics Laboratory• Developed pH-sensitive nano-liposomes for drug and siRNA delivery into cancerous cells using pH cleavable PEG• Examined payload release by pH change by measuring the change in fluorescence • Observed the effectiveness of siRNA delivery in vitro• Awarded UROP (3 time recipient) and STARS funding awards

• Performed a literature review on oil rig stabilization issues and marketing research related to competitors' public information• Presented research and findings to upper management