Lab Alumni

Alumni – Post-Docs
Chris Bertucci: 2019 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Alumni – Graduate Students
Jessica Snyder, Bioengineering, PhD 2023
Currently at: TBD
Project: Bioengineering the Intestinal Niche on a Chip: Investigating Signal Transmission Between the Epithelium and Enteric Neurons
Adam Bindas, Chemical Engineering, PhD 2022
Currently at: Xellar Biosystems (Scientist)
Project: Microphysiological Systems to Investigate Parkinson’s Disease and Elucidate Gut-Brain Axis Biology
Erika Wheeler, Bioengineering, MS 2022
Currently at: University of California, Davis (PhD Student)
Project: Characterization of sex-based differences in irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bowel disease
Kirstie Belanger, Chemical Engineering, MS 2021
Currently at: Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (Scientist)
Project: Modeling cardiac innervation on chip
David Diaz Vera, Chemical Engineering, PhD 2020
Currently at: Sanofi (Scientist)
Project: A study of primary sensory neurons and Schwann cells sensitivity to visible light irradiation in vitro, and feasibility of a light inducible system in Schwann cells for neurite outgrowth enhancement in vitro
Tess Torregrosa, Chemical Engineering, PhD 2020
Currently at: Sanofi (Scientist, Gene Therapy)
Project: Mechanisms to Investigate the Nervous System: Genetic Engineering with Adeno-Associated Viruses
Caroline Mills, Chemical Engineering, MS 2020
Currently at: Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. (R&D Engineer II)
Project: Using magnetic and topographical cues to influence the growth of neuron extensions
Sanjin Hosic: Chemical Engineering, PhD 2019
Currently at: Bluebird Bio (Scientist)
Project: Harnessing Patient-Derived Organoids and Microfluidics to Investigate Cholinergic Regulation of the Epithelial Barrier
Marissa Puzan: Chemical Engineering, PhD 2019
Currently at: Pfizer (Senior Scientist)
Project: Development of an Innervated, Tissue Engineered Model of the GI Tract
Dan Ventre: Bioengineering, PhD 2019
Currently at: Seven Bridges Genomics (Technical Writer)
Project: Investigating the Mechanisms of Ultrasonic and Electrical Neuromodulation
Megha Kamath, Pharmaceutical Sciences, MS 2015
Currently at: National Institute of Health (Biology Research Assistant)
Project: Small intestinal models for drug delivery and tissue engineering
Joshua Scaralia, Chemical Engineering, MS 2016
Currently at: Azzur Group (Technical Services Engineer)
Project: Decellularized retina ECM hydrogels for increased cellular migration and integration
Alumni – Undergraduate Students
Minhal Ahmed: Chemical Engineering, BS 2019
Now: Mitchell Fellow @ University of Cork (Cryan Lab)
Rachel Shapiro: Chemical Engineering, BS 2017
Now: PhD Student @ Johns Hopkins University
Emily Ashbolt, Medical Physics, BS 2017
Mina Iskarous, Chemical Engineering, BS 2018
Alon Duval, Chemical Engineering, BS 2019
Audrey Lee, Chemical Engineering, BS 2020
Yang Lin, Chemical Engineering, BS 2018
Mary Lou Nadeau, Chemical Engineering, BS 2021
David Urick, Chemical Engineering, BS 2018
Meron Wonderad, Chemical Engineering, BS 2020
William Cisneros: Chemical Engineering, BS 2018
Nicholas Phelan, Chemical Engineering, BS 2019
Brooke Wojeski Chemical Engineering, BS 2019


Kat and Kyla Succeed at Research Showcase
Congratulations to both Kat and Kyla for their performance at today's Research Showcase! The Research Showcase had members from every level of the Chemical Engineering Department (undergraduate to faculty) participating in poster presentations. After the poster...

Jessica Snyder Defends her Thesis
On July 31st, Jessica Snyder successfully defended her thesis "Bioengineering the intestinal niche on a chip: investigating signal transmission between the epithelium and enteric neurons". This success has officially earned her the title of doctor. Dr. Snyder has...