Graduate Students

Sara Aboeleneen

Matriculated: 2020
Program: PhD
Research Area: Enhancing photothermal cancer therapy with biomimetic nanoparticles
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Honors & Awards: Tau Beta Pi Graduate Fellowship, 2023 College of Engineering Graduate Student Service Award, 2023 BME Outstanding Engineering Outreach Award
Email: saboelen@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 442

Sobia Anam

Matriculated: 2021
Program: PhD
Research Area: Mathematical Modeling of HIV Dynamics
Research Adviser: Ryan Zurakowski
Previous Degrees: BS in Biomedical Engineering from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Pakistan
Honors & Awards: 2023 UD Graduate Student Travel Award
Email: sobia@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Theophilus Annan

Matriculated: Fall 2023
Program: PhD
Research Area: Gait Biomechanics and Rehabilitation
Research Adviser: TBD
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University & B.S in Biomedical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Email: tannan@udel.edu
Location: STAR Campus

Bahar Bahramimeimandi

Matriculated: Spring 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Cell engineering, Drug delivery
Research Advisor: Dr. Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Medical Biotechnology from Iran University of Medical Sciences and Technology; B.S. in Anesthesiology from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Email: bahar@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Olivia Bailey

Matriculated: Fall 2021
Program: PhD
Research Area: MR Elastography for Brain Biomechanics
Research Advisor: Curtis Johnson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
Honors & Awards: 2023 Biomedical Engineering Outstanding Departmental Service Award, 2021 Gore Biomedical Engineering Graduate Fellowship
Email: obailey@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Suite 109

John Buggeln

Matriculated: Spring 2022
Program: Biomechanics and Movement Science, PhD
Research Area: Human Motor Control and Learning
Research Advisor: Dr. Joshua Cashaback
Previous Degrees: B.S. Biophysics, Bucknell University; M.S. Anatomy & Clinical Health Science, University of Delaware
Email: jhb@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, Suite 201

Diego Caban-Rivera

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: MR Elastography for Brain and Muscle Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Curtis Johnson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics concentration; Minor in Engineering Mechanics from The Pennsylvania State University
Email: dacr@udel.edu
Location: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Suite 109

Zheng Cao

Matriculated: Spring 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Develop an in Vitro Device to Manipulate the Microenvironment of Cardiac Cells to Study Myocardial Infarction
Research Adviser: Elise Corbin
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University & B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the East China University of Science and Technology
Honors & Awards: 2021 Fall Graduate Block Fellowship
Email: caozheng@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Hannah Cohen

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Rehabilitation Biomechanics and Robotics
Research Adviser: Fabrizio Sergi
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from West Virginia University
Honors & Awards: 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: hncohen@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Suite 124

Mackenzie Conner

Matriculated: Fall 2023
Program: PhD
Research Area: TBD
Research Adviser: TBD
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Engineering with a specialization in Biomedical Engineering, Minors in Mathematics and Biology, from Roger Williams University
Honors & Awards: 2023 Chair’s Fellowship, 2023 Women in Engineering Fellowship
Email: connerm@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: TBD

Chitran Roy Chowdhurry

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery/Nanomedicine
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: BTech/MTech in Biotechnology from KIIT University, 2019
Email: chitran@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, 4th Floor

Margaux Deputy

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery to the Placenta for Maternal-Fetal Health
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Delaware
Email: mdeputy@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 4th Floor

Alexa Marie Diano

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: PhD
Research Area: MR Elastography for Brain Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Curtis Johnson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Rowan University
Honors & Awards: 2022 BME Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Email: adiano@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Room 109

Margo Donlin

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Gait Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Techniques
Research Adviser: Jill Higginson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Engineering, Dual Concentration in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Elizabethtown College
Honors & Awards: 2023 Mechanical Engineering Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, 2022 Doctoral Fellowship
Email: donlinm@udel.edu
Location: STAR Campus, Suite 201

Roisin Donnelly

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Protein Biophysics
Research Adviser: Norman Wagner
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics from Trinity College, Dublin
Email: roisind@udel.edu
Location: 047 Colburn Lab

Michael Donzanti

Matriculated: Fall 2018
Program: PhD Biomedical Engineering
Research Area: Microfluidics, Organ-on-a-Chip Devices
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering
Honors & Awards: 2018 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship, 2018 Gore Biomedical Engineering Graduate Fellowship
Email: mdonz@udel.edu
Location: Delaware Technology Park – 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200

Bruno de Medeiros Cartaxo Esmeraldo

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Cell Manufacturing and Tissue Regeneration
Research Adviser: Brian Kwee
Previous Degrees: B.S in Biomedical Engineering
Honors & Awards: 2022 Chair Fellowship
Email: bruno@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: BPI 4th floor. 543, Avenue 1753

Luisa Fink

Matriculated: Fall 2021
Program: Biomedical Engineering, PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery, Cell Engineering Concerning the Immune System
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: B.S in Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany
Honors & Awards: 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair Fellowship
Email: lufink@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, 4th floor

Cailin Gonyea

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Tissue Engineering and Embryonic Lung Development
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Honors & Awards: 2023 Biomedical Engineering Graduate Chairperson’s Award, 2022 BME Outstanding Engineering Outreach Award, 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: crgonyea@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI)

Biswarup Goswami

Matriculated: Spring 2021
Program: Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.
Research Area: Breast Cancer dormancy
Research Adviser: John Slater
Previous Degrees: Undergrad in Biomedical Engineering
Honors & Awards: UD Graduate College End-of-the-Year Award 2022-23
Email: biswarup@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Ammon Pinizotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center, 590 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19713

Cody Helm

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: PhD
Research Area: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics, Motor Control
Research Advisor: Fabrizio Sergi
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Minor in Biotechnology from North Carolina State University
Honors & Awards: 2023 BME Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award
Email: cahelm@udel.edu
Location: STAR Campus 540 S. College Ave. Suite 124

Elise Hoover

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Targeted Nanomedicine for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia
Honors & Awards: UD Doctoral Fellowship, 2022 BME Graduate Chair Award, 2019 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship, 2019 Gore Biomedical Engineering Graduate Fellowship
Email: ehoover@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Mary Kramer

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: MR Elastography for Aging Brain Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Curtis Johnson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of South Carolina
Honors & Awards: 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: mkkramer@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, Suite 109J

George Kramarenko

Matriculated: Fall 2021
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery/Nanomedicine
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Bioengineering from Temple University & B.S. in Bioengineering from Temple University
Honors & Awards: 2022 NRT-MIDAS Fellow, 2021 Gore Fellow
Email: gkram@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, 4th floor

Matthew Kroen

Matriculated: Fall 2023
Program: PhD
Research Area: Medical Imaging
Research Adviser: TBD
Previous Degrees: B.S in Biomedical Engineering
Email: mkroen@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: TBD

Rucha Kulkarni

Matriculated: Fall 2023
Program: PhD
Research Area: Biomechanics
Research Adviser: TBD
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, B.Tech. in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune, India
Honors & Awards: 2023 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: rnk@udel.edu
Location: TBD

Emily Lambeth

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Cartilage Tribology and Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Christopher Price
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from North Carolina State University
Honors & Awards: Unidel Distinguished Scholar Award 2019; NSF GRFP Fellow 2021
Email: eplambet@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Ali Lateef

Matriculated: Fall 2021
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Cell and Tissue Modeling
Research Adviser: Elise Corbin
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida
Honors & Awards: 2023 Biomedical Engineering Teaching Assistant Award, 2021 Biomedical Engineering Chair Fellowship
Email: alateef@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: 590 Avenue 1743, Ste 421, Newark, DE 19713 Suite 450

Zhimo (Bill) Li

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Research Area: Organ-on-a-chip System, Better Manipulation and Biomimetic
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees:
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester & B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Ohio State University
Email: zhimoli@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Lily Lin

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Tendon Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Dr. Dawn Elliott
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia
Honors & Awards: 2022 BME Outstanding Service Award, 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: lilymlin@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Suite 125/109J

Heather Malino

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Biomechanics of the Crystalline Lens
Research Adviser: Velia Fowler & Justin Parreno
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rowan University
Honors & Awards: 2023 George W. Laird Merit Fellowship Finalist, Rowan University’s Excellence in Diversity Award
Email: hmalino@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Wolf Hall 341

Milad Imeni Markhali

Matriculated: Spring 2022
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Biomechanics of Fibrous Tissues
Research Adviser: Dawn Elliott
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology
Email: mldimeni@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, 540 S. College Ave, Suite 109J

Omkar Mhatre

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Evaluating the Role of Biophysical Forces in Lung and Vascular Disorders
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology & B.S in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology from ICT
Email: omkarm@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743

Yasaman Moghadamnia

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Bioinformatics & Data Science PhD
Research Area: Drug Modeling, Computer Vision and Image Analysis
Research Adviser: Ryan Zurakowski, Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Physics from Alzahra University & M.A. in Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University
Honors & Awards: 2022 NIH CBB T32 Predoctoral Training Fellowship Award, 2021 UD Graduate Student Travel Award
Email: ymoghad@udel.edu
Location: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th Floor

Lauren Mottel

Matriculated: Fall 2023
Program: Biomedical Engineering, PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery, Biomaterials
Research Adviser: TBD
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with Honors and Distinction from the University of Delaware
Email: lmottel@udel.edu
Location: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, 4th Floor

Harrah Newman

Matriculated: Summer 2018
Program: PhD Biomedical Engineering
Research Area: Spine Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Dawn Elliott
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester
Honors & Awards: 2022-2025 NIH-F31
Email: harrah@udel.edu
Location: Dupont 160

Truc Ngo

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Neuromechanics, Decision-Making, Tactile Perception
Research Adviser: Joshua Cashaback & Charles Dhong
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Oklahoma State University & B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University
Honors & Awards: 2023 Top Ten Finalist: George W. Laird Merit Fellowship, 2022 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: tructn@udel.edu
Location: STAR Campus, Suite 201

Rebecca Nikonowicz

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Robotics, Motor Control Neuromechanics
Research Adviser: Fabrizio Sergi
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Delaware; B.S.M.E. in Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Business from Rice University
Honors & Awards: NASA DE Space Grant Fellowship, Society for Neuroscience Trainee Professional Development Award
Email: rnikon@udel.edu
Location: 540 South College Ave., Suite 124A, Newark DE 19713

Sasan Paryad-zanjani

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Mathematical Biology, Nonlinear Control Systems, Cancer, HIV
Research Adviser: Ryan Zurakowski
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran
Email: sparyadz@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: 109B STAR Tower

Erfan Rahmani

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Gene Delivery and Wound Healing
Research Adviser: Kristi Kiick
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tehran & B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Sharif University
Email: erfanrh@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, DE 19713, 2nd Floor

Sanjna Rao

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Elastin-Collagen Nanovesicles for Drug Delivery
Research Adviser: Kristi Kiick
Previous Degrees: B.E. in Chemical Engineering from The Cooper Union
Email: srao@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 2nd Floor

Filipa Ribeiro Soeiro de Carvalho

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Microfluidics, Women’s Health
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma
Honors & Awards: 2022 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: filipa@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 4th Floor

Maneesha Sahni

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Using Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy and Drug Delivery for Endometriosis
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Engineering (Concentration in Biomedical Engineering), Minor in Biology from Drexel University
Honors & Awards: 2023 George W. Laird Merit Fellowship Finalist, 2022 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: msahni@udel.edu
Location: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 4th Floor, Suite 442/444

Mackenzie Scully

Matriculated: Fall 2018
Program: PhD
Research Area: Biomimetic Nanotechnology for Breast Cancer Therapy
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials and Tissues Concentration from the University of Miami
Honors & Awards: 2018 Gore Biomedical Engineering Graduate Fellowship, 2019 Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award from the Biomedical Engineering Department, 2020 Honorable Mention in National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), 2023 Biomedical Engineering Department Chairperson’s Award
Email: mkscully@udel.edu
Location: BPI – 590 Ave 1743, Lab 444

Ashika Singh

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Microfluidics to Study Immunology and Pathogenesis of HIV Infection
Research Adviser: Jason Gleghorn
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) & B.S. in Biotechnology from Jai Hind College
Email: ashikas@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Rishabh Singh

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Tissue Engineered Models for Breast Cancer Dormancy
Research Adviser: John Slater
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University & B.E (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from BITS-Pilani, India
Email: rishabhs@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 4th Floor

Jacob Skigen

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Gait Biomechanics and Rehabilitation
Research Advisor: Elisa Arch
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering from North Carolina State University
Email: jtskigen@udel.edu
Location: 540 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19713, 3rd Floor

Eric Sterin

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: PhD
Research Area: Biomimetic Nanotechnology for Therapeutic Delivery
Research Adviser: Emily Day
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering with focuses in Polymers and Biomaterials, Minors in Economics and Entrepreneurship from Ohio State University
Honors & Awards: 2022-2025 NSF-GRFP Fellowship, 2020 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: sterin@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Ammon Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center (BPI), 4th floor

Seth Sullivan

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Research Area: Neuromechanics, Human-Human Interaction
Research Adviser: Joshua Cashaback
Previous Degrees: B.A. in Physics from College of the Holy Cross
Honors & Awards: 2021 Biomedical Engineering Chair’s Fellowship
Email: sethsull@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: STAR Campus, Suite 201

Shalini Sundar

Matriculated: Fall 2020
Program: Biomedical PhD
Research Area: Measuring Cellular and Tissue Level Mechanical Properties
Research Adviser: Charles Dhong
Previous Degrees: Honors B.E. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Delaware & B.E. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware
Honors & Awards: 2020 Gore Engineering Fellowship
Email: sshalu@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: Dupont 324

Ryan Taitano

Matriculated: Fall 2018
Program: PhD
Research Area: Biomaterials and Microfluidics for Vascular Dementia Research
Research Adviser: John Slater
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Delaware
Email: rtaitano@udel.edu
Location: Delaware Technology Park – 5 Innovation Way, Suite 200

Ann Thomas

Matriculated: Fall 2022
Program: PhD
Research Area: Drug Delivery for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Research Adviser: Christopher Price
Previous Degrees: M.S. in Biotechnology from NIT Rourkela, India & B.S. in Biotechnology from VIT University, India
Email: annt@udel.edu
Location: AP-Bio, 590 Avenue 1743, 4th Floor

Connor Virgile

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Cell & Tissue Engineering, Sepsis, Biomaterials
Research Adviser: Elise Corbin
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, minor in Economics from the University of Rochester
Email: cvirgile@udel.edu
Location: Delaware Technology Park, 9 Innovation Way, Suite 276

Tyler Williams

Matriculated: Fall 2019
Program: PhD
Research Area: Magnetic Resonance Elastography and Biomechanics
Research Adviser: Curtis Johnson
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering & B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Awards: Unidel Distinguished Graduate Scholars Award, Ralph Hughes Memorial Scholarship, Louis A. Harding Memorial Scholarship, Bayard D. Kunkle Scholarship
Email: ltylerw@udel.edu
Location Office/Lab: 201 STAR Campus

“You can’t build a strong team with five people who all think the same way.”

Ashutosh Khandha

PhD Graduate, University of Delaware