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Directory of Faculty by Research Thrust

Postdocs

Meet the postdoctoral research fellows from the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Raheel Ahmad, PhD

Raheel Ahmad, PhD

Education:
PhD (Magna Cum Laude), Process and Systems Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self- Organization Goettingen, Germany and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany, 2022
MS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAIST, Republic of Korea, 2016
BS (Dean's Honour Roll), Chemical Engineering, UET Lahore, Pakistan, 2014

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research focuses on the design and fabrication of a new class of stimuli-responsive hybrid hydrogel particles using high-throughput droplet microfluidics for the isolation of extracellular vesicles from clinical samples. I am also interested in evaluating the functionality of mitochondrial components in extracellular vesicles with the aim of discovering new biomarkers for cardiac diseases.


Rasha Al-Attar, PhD

Rasha Al-Attar, PhD

Education:
PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Carleton University, 2020

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
During my graduate studies, I focused on investigating the biochemical and molecular responses to stress in resilient animal species such as freeze-tolerant wood frogs, hibernating bats, and hypoxia-tolerant naked mole rats. Additionally, I gained extensive experience in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cell-cell communication in stem-cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hPSC-CM) models, including monolayers, organoids, and microtissues.

Now, as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers at CEMs, I am applying my expertise to develop innovative preservation solutions. Specifically, I am leveraging genome engineering techniques to extend the preservation of zebrafish embryos and developing nature-inspired protocols to prolong the normothermic preservation of whole hearts. These efforts serve a dual purpose: first, to address the critical shortage of transplantable hearts by increasing preservation efficacy, and second, to establish an innovative ex vivo model for investigating the electromechanical integration of host-hPSC-CM grafts—a venture poised to revolutionize our understanding of cardiac regeneration and transplantation outcomes.


Ezgi Antmen headshot

Ezgi Antmen, PhD, MSc

Education:
Ph.D., Biotechnology, METU, 2017
M.Sc., Biology, METU, 2013
B.Sc., Molecular Biology and Genetics, METU, 2011
 
 
Research: 
My current research focuses mainly on the microfluidic T-cell isolation and expansion from leukapheresis products for cancer immunotherapy manufacturing. I also work on 3D culturing of tumor cells and targeted nanoparticles for drug delivery to tumor cells.
 

Bradley W Ellis, PhD

Bradley W Ellis, PhD

Education:
BS, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
MS, Bioengineering, University of Notre Dame 2019
PhD, Bioengineering, University of Notre Dame, 2022"

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My main research focuses on developing novel models and treatments to improve liver preservation for transplant. By utilizing tissue engineering and molecular biology techniques, I develop benchtop models to better understand the role of various parameters on liver health and functionality. We hope that this knowledge will lead to an increased use of marginal livers in transplant scenarios thus expanding the donor pool and patient access to liver transplant.


Rohil Jain, PhD

Rohil Jain, PhD

Education:
PhD, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2021
Bachelor of Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, 2013

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research at the CEMS primarily focuses on developing liquid biopsy assay for analyzing circulating biomarkers of injury and rejection in solid organ transplants. I also develop non-invasive technologies for analyzing the quality of liver grafts for liver transplants. These technologies are used for analyzing health of the organ before the transplant when it may be machine perfused, or for analyzing health of the graft after transplantation in a patient.


Purva Joshi headshot

Purva Joshi, PhD

Education:
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2021
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2017
B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Pune University, 2015
 
 
Research: 
I am a mechanical engineer with a background in thermal sciences, solid mechanics, computation and engineering modeling. At CEMS, I am working on developing and optimizing preservation strategies for Anopheles mosquito and Drosophila embryos.


Murat Kaynak, PhD

Murat Kaynak, PhD

Education:
Ph.D., École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 2021
M.Sc., The Pennsylvania State University, 2016
B.Sc., Istanbul University, 2011

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
I am interested in the design, fabrication, and applications of microengineered devices. I utilize these devices to study the mechanics of living systems, by exploring the relationship between diseases and their emergent mechanical properties in single cells and tissues.

My current research involves developing acoustofluidic methods to measure the stiffness of spheroids during nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. I employ micro/nanofabrication methods to build high-precision platforms that can continuously analyze the disease stages at high throughput.


Natalie Livingston

Natalie K. Livingston, PhD

Education:
PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2024
BS, Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 2018

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
I am a biomedical engineer with a background in the development of immunotherapeutic biomaterials. At CEMS, I am working on the application of microfluidic devices to the fields of cancer detection and cancer immunotherapy.


Michelle E. McCarthy

Michelle E. McCarthy, MD MS

Education:
BSE, Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, 2015
BS, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, 2015
MS, Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, 2015
MD, Tulane University, 2020

Research Interests:
I have two main research thrusts, 1) developing novel techniques for improving radiation burn wound healing and 2) developing methods for the decellularization and recellularization of vascular composite allografts.

In the case of radiation burn wound healing, my work focuses on creating chemical modified mRNA for the treatment radiation-induced cellular injury. Our work aims to lessen the side effect of radiation skin injury in cancer patients, and allow them to continue receiving radiation treatments.

Vascular composite allografts (VCAs) allow for the transplantation of whole functional units of tissue, such as the whole hand or face. Recipients however require lifelong immunosuppression, and rejection can be catastrophic. Decellularization of VCAs remove all cellular material from the donor, and recellularization of the graft with the recipient’s cells would create a non-immunogenic biologic graft. My work focuses on developing methods for creating these grafts for the digits, nipple & areola complex, and face.


Seok Joon Mun

Seok Joon Mun

Education:
PhD, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 2024
BS, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 2018

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My main research at CEMS focuses on developing assay methodologies based on neutrophil swarming to rapidly and accurately diagnose infections in patients. Simultaneously, I am also investigating changes in neutrophil phenotypes in patients during infections and sepsis. My ultimate goal is to develop a point-of-care diagnostic device that can be easily used anywhere without the need for expert assistance.


Saeed Nazemidashtarjandi

Saeed Nazemidashtarjandi

Education:
Postdoc, Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2022
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Ohio University, 2021
MS, Chemical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 2014
BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchistan, 2012

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research focuses on understanding the role of monocytes in maintaining homeostasis during severe infections. Specifically, I study the changes in monocyte anisocytosis upon activation, measured by monocyte distribution width (MDW), a regulatory-cleared marker for sepsis, to assess the risk of complications during recovery in burn patients. I also investigate changes in monocyte phenotypes, migration, and subsets during severe inflammation. Understanding the changes in intracellular processes and function of monocytes could provide insights into their role in the immune response during inflammation.


Khanh Nguyen

Khanh T. Nguyen, PhD

Education:
Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2022
B.Eng., Biomedical Engineering, International University of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, 2017

Contact: Contact by email

Research:
I am working on developing novel methods to quantitatively assess organ injury and viability biomarkers that are predictive of transplantation success/outcomes. I am also interested in cryopreservation methods that utilize tools from molecular and cell biology to support cardiac and liver transplantations. These projects draw on my prior experience with a multidisciplinary research approach at the interface of engineering, chemistry, and life science. They also expand my training expertise in the areas of animal models and ex-vivo research techniques. Working at CEMS enables my passion for performing high-impact translational research that address clinically relevant problems with direct benefit to patients.


Maheen Rana

Maheen Rana

Education:
Ph.D, Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, 2023
M.S, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAIST, Republic of Korea, 2019
BS, (Dean's Honour Roll), Chemical Engineering, UET Lahore, Pakistan, 2016

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research is centered around the isolation and expansion of T cells from Leukopak by magnetic isolation in microfluidic systems to improve the process of developing cancer immunotherapies. I am also working on the development of microfluidic cell isolation technology for strategic gene editing of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) obtained from sickle cell blood products.


Gurit Singh, PhDGurjit Singh

Education:
PhD, Biology, Carleton University, Canada, 2022
MS, Biotechnology, University of Houston, Clear Lake, 2013
Bachelor of Technology, Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, India, 2010

Contact:
Contact by email

Profile:
LinkedIn

Research:
My graduate training involved understanding unique biochemical and molecular adaptations in stress-tolerant animals. At CEMS, I am specifically interested in utilizing this knowledge to improve strategies in heart preservation and transplantation using classic model organisms (such as Zebrafish) and transitioning to a mammalian model to improve cardiac ischemia tolerance and recovery. Overall, the ultimate goal is to scale up this work in humans to alleviate organ shortage and transplantation in marginal hearts.


Li ZhanLi Zhan

Education:
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2020
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 2014

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research background lies in cryopreservation, point-of-care diagnostics, and laser-nanoparticle interaction. My project at the CEMS primarily focuses on the enrichment of skin stem cells using microfluidic techniques.


Technical Staff

Luke Boudreau

Luke Boudreau

Education:
BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 2022
BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 2022

Contact:
leboudreau@mgh.harvard.edu

Research:
At CEMS, I have two main focuses of research. Firstly, I aim to optimize the storage of red blood cells through study of injury and changes in metabolism during supercooling and use of novel storage solutions. Additionally, I use liver cells to study the effects of drug induced injury to elucidate possible markers for early-phase drug toxicity screening as well as to study the downstream effects of steatosis on cell health, metabolism, and overall hepatic function.


Abby Callahan-Muller

Abby Callahan-Muller

Education
BS, Biology, Elon University, 2021

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
Daphnia, anopheles, drosophila and various cell lines are utilized to help determine CPA cocktails and protocols to try and better cryopreserve them. 


Quinn Cunneely

Quinn Cunneely

Education
BS, Microbiology, The University of Alabama, 2023

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
I work on translational projects leveraging technologies for circulating tumor cell (CTC) isolation to understand how cancer evolves during treatment. I also support the development of new strategies for isolation of CTCs and other rare cells.


Nora Gaby-Biegel

Nora Gaby-Biegel

Education
BS, Neuroscience, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, 2024

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research is in cryobiology, specifically testing different combinations of cryoprotectants (CPAs) to determine safe and effective cryopreservation methods.


Other Personnel

Personnel at the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery, part of the Department of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Jon F. Edd, PhD

Jon F. Edd, PhD

Education
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 2006
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 2001

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
As a member of the innovation team at the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery, my primary focus is to develop rare cell isolation technologies. This includes antigen-agnostic isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), CTC clusters, and bacteria, from whole blood.


Ravi Kupur, PhD

Ravi Kupur, PhD

Education
PhD, Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 1995
MS, Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 1991
BE, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, India, 1989

Contact:
Phone: 781-363-3530
Contact by email
Website: www.micro-medicine.com

Research:
Innovation to bring nascent technologies through development, clinical translation and commercial launch. Specializing in rare cell isolation for detection, diagnosis and therapy. Current initiatives include the transition to commercial setting of the circulating tumor cell isolation platform & commercial development of automated microfluidic platform for autologous cellular therapy and diagnosis.


Christian Godfrey

Research Engineer

Education
BS, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2022

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
My research focuses on developing novel tools and methodologies to characterize neutrophils. In addition, I fabricate, optimize, and employ a "swarming assay" to probe the collective behavior of neutrophils in response injury and infection.


Jaime Greatorex

Research Technician

Education:
B.S. in biochemistry from Roger Williams University, 2023

Contact:
Contact by email

Research:
I am currently working on neutrophil swarming assay's that will help study neutrophil behavior and activity.


Catherine Heremans

Catherine Heremans

Administrative Staff

Education
PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, MIT, 1993
MS, Materials Science and Engineering, MIT, 1989
Eng Dipl, Materials Science, UCLouvain, Belgium, 1987

Contact:
Contact by email