Vanderbilt University Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Outside interests/activities: Tennis, running, and dance

Research area: Chemical engineering, bioengineering. I am working on injectable bone scaffolds for use in bone defects such as fractures from trauma, surgery or and osteoporosis. These scaffolds are biocompatible and biodegradable and contain various growth factors to promote bone healing. The patient's own bone cells grow into the scaffold, after which the scaffold biodegrades to leave only the healed bone.

Undergraduate degree from: Princeton University

Why Vanderbilt: I chose Vanderbilt because I was very interested in the research of Professor Scott Guelcher on the development of polymeric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. Knowing the reputation of both the Engineering and the Medical School at Vanderbilt, these projects perfectly suited my interests, at the intersection of engineering and medicine.

Likes best about Vanderbilt Engineering?  I really like the interdisciplinary cooperation between various engineering departments as well as with other science departments and the medical school. The opportunity to use the resources and collaborate with other faculty has been invaluable.

Likes best about Vanderbilt Chemical Engineering?
I enjoy the intimacy of a small department, yet with diverse faculty interests, involving both basic and applications-based researchers.  The small department also encourages collaborations with other departments, especially with various scientists and doctors in the medical school.

Likes best about Nashville? Although it took a while to get used to, Nashville has really grown on me and is a very pleasant place to live.  It's small, yet offers many of the amenities of a bigger city (symphony, museums, sports, etc.), with outdoor activities available nearby.  Other assets are the moderate cost of living and temperate weather.

What do you expect to do after graduation? I hope to pursue an entrepreneurial career in the future, most likely in the field of biomaterials or biomedical devices.