Members

  • Asad M. Mirza | PhD Student

    BS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

    My research focuses on optimizing transaortic valve replacement (TAVR) selection for a patient by conducting computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to identify the underlying fluid environment for a particular patient. This requires reconstruction of patient geometry from CT images, creation of the TAVR systems in CAD software, and simulation using ANSYS Mechanical/Fluent. Once complete this will assist cardiologist in selecting the TAVR system that best fits a patient in terms of valve function and in reducing the chance of subclinical thrombosis.

    Scholarships/Fellowships

    • McNair Fellow
    • Braman Scholar
    • SGA Scholarship
    • Bright Futures Scholarship
    • FIU Presidential
    • PhD supplemental stipend award from the Koerner Family Foundation

  • Chia-Pei Denise Hsu | PhD Student

    BS & MS Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

    I am studying the Effects of steady and oscillatory flow on cardiovascular cell communication and phenotypic expression. Computational studies have shown certain flow profiles promote valvular and vascular tissue formation.  My research interest involves defining flow profiles that promote healthy and diseased cardiovascular phenotypes.

  • Manuel Perez | PhD Student

    BS Mechanical Engineering, MBA University of Miami; MS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

    Current research efforts are focused on the development of a scale-able bioreactor system to pre-condition stem cells for exosome & cell therapy research. The bioreactor system is to be used in the development of future cardiovascular therapeutic products. Goals of the bioreactor system include the ability to test for exosome production, gene expression, stem cell differentiation and De Novo tissue development.

    Scholarships/Fellowships/Internships:

    • NSF I-Corps Grant Award (#1644603); served as lead entrepreneur on a funded NSF I-Corps grant directed towards the commercialization of cardiovascular tissue bioreactor.

  • Yih-Mei Lin | PhD Student

    BS, Nutrition China Medical University, Taiwan ; MS, Dietetics and Nutrition, Florida International University

    I currently work on characterizing the trophic factors of stem cell-derived exosomes from the conditioned media of a bioreactor technology. Mainly focused on exosomes isolation, protein quantification, proteomics, gene expression, and cytokines identification.

  • Ariadna Herrera | PhD Student

    BS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

    I am currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at FIU.

  • Claudia Ponce Aportela | PhD Student

    BS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

    I am currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at FIU.

  • Claudia Iannini | Master's Student

    BS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

  • Andres Rodrigues | Master's Student

    BS Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

  • Ana Pena Diaz | Master's Student

    Bsc Biology, University of Havana; Msc Ocean Management, University of Cienfuegos; Msc Pathology, University of Western Ontario

  • Paulina Alvarez

    Undergraduate Student

  • Jacobus Carstens

    Undergraduate Student

  • Oriana Marrone Mantovani

    Undergraduate Student

  • Brittany Rizo

    Undergraduate Student

Alumni

Graduate Students:

Alexander Williams, MS (Thesis)

Melake Tesfamariam, MS (Project)

Elnaz Pour Issa, MS (Project)

Alejandro Pinero, MS (Project)

Omkar Mankame, MS (Thesis)

Manuel Salinas, MS, PhD : First Position after graduating: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School. Currently Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Nova Southeastern University, FL.

Rupak Dua, PhD : First Position after graduating: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Orthopedic Research and Education, Houston, TX. Currently Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Hampton University, VA.

Sasmita Rath, PhD: First Position after graduating: First Position after graduating: Scientist, Biomedical Device Start-Up, San Diego, CA. Currently: Research Scientist, San Diego State University

Makensley Lordeus, MS (Thesis)

Glenda Castellanos, MS Thesis

Abraham Alfonso, MS (Project)

Catalina Martinez, MS (Thesis)

Brittany A Gonzalez PhD: First Position after graduating: Post-Doctoral Associate, CV-PEUTICS LAB, FIU. Currently NIH T32 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH.

 

Selected Undergraduate Students over the years:

Tisha Boodooram

Marcos Gonzalez-Perez

Reem Ekhraiwesh

Alexandria Tchir

Ahmed Ali

Haley Hendon

Robin Gomez

Andreas Rodrigues

Antonio Cuellar

Maria Montesinos

Nidhi Suthar

Denise Medina Almora

Ricardo Hausz

Luis Nassar

Luis Ramirez

Ana Villegas

Angie Estrada

Denise Stewart

Stephanie Van Gulden

Gina Brignola

Miguel Libera

Angela Henao

Jerry Centeno

Kamau Pier

Karla Landaburo

Mahreen Din

Amanda Barreto

Elizabeth Cheng

Maanas Gupta

Erika Pierre

Christian Tomaselli