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Alumni

Postdocs

Prakash D. Nallathamby

“In Vivo Imaging of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells using Targeted Imaging Probes for Spectral CT,” Walther Cancer Foundation, “A Spectral Library of Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for Spectral (Color) X-ray Imaging,” National Science Foundation, Walther Cancer Foundation, 2014-2017.

Current Position: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Awards: (1) 1st place, Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Contest, Harper Cancer Research Institute 5th Annual Research Day, 2016; (2) Pfizer Young Investigator Poster Award, Cancer Biology Training Consortium (CABTRAC), Kiawah Island, SC, 2015.

Jennifer M.R. Tilley

“Improved detection of pre‐rupture tendon damage using targeted X‐ray contrast agents,” Lindemann Trust Fellowship, 2012-2013.

Current Position: PGCE Secondary Science with Physics Candidate, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

Zhenyuan (Mark) Zhang

“Functionalized Contrast Agents for Micro-Computed Tomography of Microdamage in Bone,” U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 2006-2007.

Current Position: Materials Scientist, Pegasus Technical Services, Cincinnati, OH.

Ph.D. Students

Matthew J. Meagher

“Engineering Synthetic Bone Graft Substitutes with Improved Mechanical Properties, Enhanced Bioactivity, and On-Demand Growth Factor Release,” Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, 2015. 

Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Rick Sumner, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

Awards: (1) Honorable Mention, Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award, 2015 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC; (2) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2014.

Andrew P. Baumann

“The Relative Influence of Material and Architectural Properties on the Mechanical Behavior of Bone Tissue,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2015.

Current Position: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD.

Awards: (1) 2nd place in the Ph.D. Student Paper Competition, Podium Presentation, 2015 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport Conference (SB3C), Snowbird, UT; (2) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2015.

Lisa E. Cole

“Bisphosphonate-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as a Targeted Contrast Agent for Breast Microcalcifications,” Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, 2015.

Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

Awards: (1) Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility Award for Best Biological Imaging Publication, 2014 (ACS Nano 2014;8:7486-7496); (2) Selected Participant, Clinical & Translational Research Course, NIH Clinical Center, 2014; (3) Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award, 2014 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting, Denver, CO; (4) 3rd place, Ph.D. Poster Contest, Harper Cancer Research Institute 3rd Annual Research Day, 2014; (5) Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Walther Cancer Foundation, Engineering Novel Solutions to Cancer’s Challenges at the Interdisciplinary Interface (ENSCCII) Training Grant, 2013-2015; (6) 1st place, Ph.D. Poster Contest, Harper Cancer Research Institute 2nd Annual Research Day, 2013; (7) 1st place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2013 TMS Annual Meeting; (8) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2013.

Travis L. Turnbull

“The Spatial Distribution of Fatigue Microdamage Accumulation in Cortical Bone and Factors Influencing Fracture Risk,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2013.

Current Position: Deputy Director, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO.

Awards: (1) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2012; (2) 2nd place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2012 TMS Annual Meeting; (3) 1st place in the Ph.D. Student Paper Competition, Poster Presentation, 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference (ASME).

Timothy L. Conrad

“Characterization of Hydroxyapatite Whisker Reinforced Composites and Scaffolds for Mechanical and Biological Function in Orthopaedic and Spinal Implants,” Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, 2012.

Current Position: Sr. Implant Design and Materials Engineer, Advanced Bionics, Valencia, CA.

Robert J. Kane

“Hydroxyapatite-Reinforced Collagen Tissue Engineering Scaffolds,” Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, 2012.

Current Position: Research and Development Engineer, DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN.

Awards: (1) 1st place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2011 TMS Annual Meeting; (2) 3rd place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2009 TMS Annual Meeting; (3) NSF/ARO Travel Awards, Biological Materials Science Symposium, 2011 and 2009 TMS Annual Meeting.

Ryan D. Ross

“Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Damage-Specific X-Ray Computed Tomography Contrast Agents in Bone Tissue,” Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering, 2011.

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

Awards: (1) Poster award, Upper Midwest Biomaterials Day (Society for Biomaterials), University of Michigan, 2011; (2) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2011; (3) 2nd place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2009 TMS Annual Meeting; (4) 1st place, Graduate Division, Biological Materials Science Symposium Student Poster Contest, 2008 TMS Annual Meeting; (5) NSF/ARO Travel Awards, Biological Materials Science Symposium, 2009 and 2008 TMS Annual Meetings.

Justin M. Deuerling

“Effects of Ultrastructural Organization on the Mechanical Properties and Anisotropy of Human Cortical Bone,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2010.

Current Position: Senior Engineer, Product Development, RTI Biologics, Alachua, FL.

Awards: (1) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2008; (2) 2nd place in the Ph.D. Student Paper Competition, Podium Presentation, 2007 Summer Bioengineering Conference (ASME).

Matthew D. Landrigan

“Evaluation of Methods for Measuring Microdamage Accumulation in Cortical Bone,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2009.

Current Position: R&D Projects and IP Portfolio Manager, Biomet Biologics, Warsaw, IN.

Awards: (1) Best Poster Presentation, Graduate Student Conference, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2008; (2) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2008; (3) Honorable Mention, Ph.D. Student Paper Competition, Poster Presentation, 2007 Summer Bioengineering Conference (ASME).

Gabriel L. Converse

“Processing and Properties of Hydroxyapatite Whisker Reinforced Polyaryletherketones for Orthopaedic Applications,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2008.

Current Position: Director of Bioengineering, Cardiac Surgical Research Laboratories, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO.

Awards: (1) Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Graduate School Award for the top graduating doctoral students, University of Notre Dame, 2008; (2) NSF Travel Award, Biological Materials Science Symposium, 2008 TMS Annual Meeting; (3) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2007.

Weimin Yue

“Micromechanical Modeling of Hydroxyapatite Whisker Reinforced Polymer Composites and Cortical Bone Tissue,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2006.

Current Position: Senior Development Engineer, Exactech, Inc., Gainesville, FL.

Awards: Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award, Kaneb Center, Univ. of Notre Dame, 2006.

Huijie Leng

“Micro-Computed Tomography of Microdamage in Cortical Bone,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2006.

Current Position: Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Awards: Graduate Student Award, Fall Meeting of the Materials Research Society, 2005.

Alejandro A. Espinoza Orías

“The Relationship Between the Mechanical Anisotropy of Human Cortical Bone Tissue and Its Microstructure,” Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, 2005.

Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

M.S. Students

Lisa E. Irimata

“An Anatomic Phantom Mimicking Varying Levels of Radiographic Tissue Density for Investigating Contrast-Enhanced Detection of Microcalcifications,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2017.

Current Position: Process Technology Development, Intel Corporation, Phoenix, AZ.

Michael D. Hunckler

“Investigation of a Rabbit Ulnar Loading Model for Atypical Fractures in Cortical Bone During Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2016.

Current Position: Graduate Research Assistant, School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.

Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2017.

Christina H. Merrill

“Porous HA-PEEK Composite Scaffolds as a Delivery Device for rhBMP-2 and Cell Culture Substrate,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2013.

Current Position: Postmarket Surveillance Specialist, Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN.

Michelle L. Kappes

“Porous and Bioactive PEEK Biomaterial for Orthopaedic Implants,” Master of Science in the Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence Master’s Program (ESTEEM), 2011.

Current Position: Orthobiologics Sales Specialist, Zimmer, Inc, Warsaw, IN.

Brian J. Shula

“Effect of Welding Flaws on the Fatigue Life of High Strength Steel Structures,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2007.

Current Position: Sr. Applications Engineer, ESI Group, Cleveland, OH.

Micah R. Rogel

“Effects of Hydroxyapatite Crystal Morphology on Osteoblast-Like Cell Response,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2006.

Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.

Joseph A. Van Nausdle

“Effects of Hydoxyapatite Morphology on MC3T3-E1 Osteoblast-Like Cells,” Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 2005.

Miguel Marquez

“Preparation of Hydroxyapatite Whisker Specimens for Cell Culture,” Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, 2003.

Michael M. Sproul

“Hydroxyapatite Whisker Reinforced HDPE Composites for Load Bearing Orthopaedic Devices,” Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, 2001.

Undergraduate Researchers

  • James Bathon, Notre Dame (CBE, expected 2020), 2018.
  • Gino Domel, Notre Dame (AME, expected 2019), 2018.
  • Bryce Beddard, Vanderbilt University (BME, expected 2019), NDnano REU, 2017.
  • Evan Gies, Notre Dame (CBE, expected 2019), KCF, 2017-2018.  Publications.
  • Kyle Iwamoto, Notre Dame (CBE, 2018), NDnano REU, DARPA, 2016-2018.  Publications.
  • Benjamin MacCurtain, Dublin City University, Ireland (BME, 2017), NDnano REU, 2017.
  • Joseph Sawyer, Purdue University (BME, expected 2019), NSF, NDnano REU, 2016.
  • James Tedesco, McMaster University (MSE, 2016), McMaster-ND REU, 2016.
  • Gretta Steigauf, Notre Dame (SCPP, 2018), 2016-2017.
  • Ethan Chu, Notre Dame (AME, 2018), Indiana CTSI, 2016.
  • Patricia Sosa, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico (BME, 2017), NDnano NURF 2015.
  • Anthony Goo, Notre Dame (AME, 2017), NDnano REU, 2015
  • Emily Shira, Notre Dame (AME, 2017), 2014-2015.
  • Tony L. Stedge, Notre Dame (AME, 2016), HCRI SURF, 2014.
  • Katherine Iliff, Notre Dame (AME, 2015), NDnano REU, 2014.
  • Margaret E. Best, Notre Dame (CBE, 2015), NDnano REU,  2013-2014.  Publications.
  • Michael Hunckler, Notre Dame (AME, 2015), NDnano REU, 2013-2015.  Publications.
  • Heather Littlejohn, Notre Dame (AME, 2016), 2013.
  • Scott Ramey, Notre Dame (AME, 2015), 2013-2014.
  • Michael Kelly, Notre Dame (AME, 2015), 2013.
  • Kristen Parkinson, Notre Dame (AME, 2015), Claire Booth Luce Foundation, 2012.
  • Katie Silikowski, Notre Dame (CBE, 2014), 2011-2012.
  • Kevin Dunne, Notre Dame (SCPP, 2013), 2012-2013.
  • Christopher Mork, Notre Dame (AME, 2013), 2012.
  • Nicholas O’Neill, Notre Dame (CBE, 2013), 2012-2013.
  • Tess Fitzpatrick, Notre Dame (SCPP, 2012), 2010-2012.
  • David Rudy, Notre Dame (AME, 2011), CDMRP, 2007-2011.  Publications.
  • Allison Cudworth, Notre Dame (AME, 2010), 2009-2010.
  • John Flatley, Notre Dame (SCPP, 2010), CDMRP, 2008-2010.  Publications.
  • Scott Vitter, Notre Dame (AME, 2010), 2009-2010.  Publications.
  • Lisa Cole, University of Rochester (BME, 2010); NSF REU, 2008.  Publications.
  • Katie Hoppert, University of Central Arkansas (CHM, 2009), NSF REU, 2008.
  • Bridget Leone, Notre Dame (CHM, 2009), CDMRP 2008-2009.  Publications.
  • Tim Shinnick, Notre Dame (AME, 2009), 2008.
  • Nathan Yanchack, Notre Dame (AME, 2009), 2008-2009.  Publications.
  • Erin Heck, Notre Dame (CBE, 2009), 2007.
  • Jimmy Buffi, Notre Dame (AME, 2008), 2007-2008.
  • Matthew Meagher, Notre Dame (CBE, 2008), CDMRP, 2006-2007.  Publications.
  • John Souder, Notre Dame (CBE, 2008), 2006-2007.
  • Doug Mahoney, Notre Dame (AME, 2007), 2005.
  • Alex Pelkey, Notre Dame (SCPP, 2007), 2005-2006.
  • Mary Phillips, Notre Dame (AME, 2007), NIH, 2004-2005.
  • Kara Barczak, Notre Dame (AME, 2006), 2004.
  • Robert J. Kane, Notre Dame (AME, 2006), 2004-2006.  Publications.
  • Andrew Henebry, Notre Dame (AME, 2005), 2004-2005.
  • Michael J. Annen, Notre Dame (AME, 2005), NIH, 2004.
  • Nicholas Martin, Notre Dame (AME, 2005), 2004.
  • Stephanie Rohrs, Notre Dame (AME, 2005), 2004.
  • Zachary Working, Notre Dame (CBE, 2005), 2004.
  • Dan Masse, Notre Dame (AME, 2004), NIH, 2004.  Publications.
  • Michael McNary, Notre Dame (AME, 2004), 21st Century Fund, 2002.
  • Matt Summey, Notre Dame (AME, 2004), 2002.
  • Jules J. VanDersarl, Notre Dame (AME, 2004), NIH, 2003-2004.  Publications.
  • Jacques P. Guyette, Notre Dame (BIOS, 2003), NIH, 2003. Publications.
  • Casey Korecki, Notre Dame (AME, 2003), 2002.

High School Researchers

  • Makaila Ranges, Mishawaka Marian High School, 2017-2018.
  • Lauren Jankowski, Mishawaka Marian High School, 2014-2015. U.S. Army Award for Outstanding Project, Northern Indiana Regional Science & Engineering Fair.
  • Tony Spalding, Mishawaka Marian High School, 2011-2012. 1st place in Engineering, Materials & Bioengineering, Biophysical Society Award, Northern Indiana Regional Science & Engineering Fair, 3rd place for 12th grade projects, 1st place Award for Excellence in Human Health, Biology or Life Sciences, U.S. Army Honorable Mention, 24th Annual Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair. Participant, ISEF International Science & Engineering Fair.
  • Katie Firth, Mishawaka Marian High School, 2007-2008.
  • Paul Baranay, Mishawaka Marian High School, CDMRP, 2007.