Yadong Wang,
Principal Investigator
Yadong Wang is the McAdam Family Foundation Professor of Cardiac Assist Technology at Cornell University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry at Stanford University in 1999, and performed his postdoctoral studies in biomaterials at MIT. He joined the Biomedical Engineering Department at Cornell in 2017 after nine years with The University of Pittsburgh where he served as the William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Bioengineering.
His research focuses on creating biomaterials that present controlled chemical, physical, and mechanical signals to cells, tissues and organs. The ultimate goal is to control how the human body interacts with these materials. He is especially interested in applications of biomaterials in the cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. His team enjoys collaborating with other scientists and clinicians who share the same passion in translational research. Current projects include vascular grafts, controlled release of proteins and microfabrication of biomaterials.
Education
Postdoctoral Associate, MIT ’02
Ph.D., Stanford University ’99
M.S., Kansas State University ’95
Contact
Email: yw839@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-4030
Anthony D’Amato,
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Interests: Improving biomaterial fabrication to facilitate translation into the clinic.
Projects: Currently working on ways to improve traditional electrospinning methodologies to increase control during the process and hopefully improve the biological performance of the resulting fibrous materials.
Hobbies: I like to hike, cook, read as many books as possible, and play with my dog (Griffey) and my cats (Sushi and Kaladin).
Education
PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
B.S in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Clemson University
Contact
Email: ard223@cornell.edu
Nathaniel Wright,
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Interests: Coacervate, immunotherapy, drug delivery, inflammatory disease, T cells, and polymers
Projects: Psoriasis Microneedle Treatment and Islet Cell Transplantation
Hobbies: Running, 3D printing, reading, music, and biking
Education
pHD, Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University
M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University
B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah
Contact
Email: nw335@cornell.edu
Warrick Ma,
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Interests: Cool synthetic macromolecules
Projects: Development of novel UV Crosslinkable Resin
Hobbies: Outdoor stuff, training at the fire station.
Fun Facts: Started off as a garage chemist when I was little, I firmly believe that cooking in a kitchen is the same as doing chemistry in a fume hood. This probably explains why I sometimes drink from a beaker (at home), why I never shy away from culinary challenges like making risotto from scratch, and how I managed to make two trays of cream puffs in under two hours.
Education
pHD, Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University
M.S., Chemistry, Cornell University
B.S. in Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles
Contact
Email: ym464@cornell.edu
Catia Dombaxe,
PhD Candidate
Research Interests: Tissue regeneration, Drug Delivery, and Biomaterials
Projects: Using goldfish ECM proteins to aid in tissue regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Hobbies: Photography, traveling, hiking, and cooking
Fun Facts: During undergrad I did a study abroad (semester at sea) around the world and lived on a cruise ship.
Education
B.S., Chemistry, concentration in Forensic Chemistry, Methodist University
Contact
Email: cpd57@cornell.edu
Chelsea Loh,
PhD Candidate
Research Interests: Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering
Projects: TBD
Hobbies: Listening to music, crocheting, trying new foods
Fun Facts: I double majored in music during college (violin performance) and played professionally for a very short amount of time! I am now retired 🙂
Education
B.E., Biomedical Engineering, The Catholic University of America
Contact
Email: cal369@cornell.edu
Cole Latvis,
PhD Candidate
Research Interests: Tissue engineering and biomaterial fabrication
Projects: Vascular Graft Development and Polymer Synthesis
Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, fishing, cooking, and 3D printing
Education
B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
Contact
Email: crl94@cornell.edu
Julianna Koehl,
PhD Candidate
Research Interests: Designing polymers for various biomedical applications
Projects: Development of polyhydroxyalkanoates for skin graft applications
Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, and cooking
Education
B.S. in Chemistry, Lebanon Valley College
Contact
Email: jk2356@cornell.edu
Kenny Loo Kah Kin,
pHD candidate
Research Interests: Polymeric Biomaterials and Mechanobiology
Projects: Development of Biocompatible Photopolymers for Artificial Axons
Hobbies: Watching shows, Traveling, and Photography
Education
B.E., Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, ’24
Contact
Email: kl997@cornell.edu
Jiani Yuan,
M.Eng. Student
Research Interests: Biomaterials, Tissue Regeneration, Drug Delivery
Projects: Fabrication of hydrogel from goldfish ECM in tissue regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Hobbies: Music, swimming, tennis, traveling
Education
M.Eng. Student, Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University
B.S., Biological Sciences, Sichuan University
Contact
Email: jy992@cornell.edu
Elahe Houshmand,
M.Sc. Student
Research Interests: Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, Soft & Hard Tissue Regeneration, Organ-on-chips, Drug Delivery
Projects: Anisotropic hyperelastic material characterization & experimental evaluation for a synthetic vascular graft
Hobbies: Traveling, Working out, Spending time in nature, Reading, Listening to music, Brain teaser games
Education
M.Sc in Biomedical Engineering, Cell, tissue and biotechnology track at Polytechnic University of Milan(Politecnico di Milano) – June 2025(Expected)
BSc in Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials track at Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic)- April 2019
MBA at University of Tehran (Tehran, Iran) ( Non-degree course), 2022
Contact
Email: eh729@cornell.edu
Allison Kwon,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Tissue regeneration, biomaterials
Projects: Investigating regenerative extracellular matrix for cardiac tissue repair and regeneration
Hobbies: Thrifting, reading, and exploring new cafes!
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: alk275@cornell.edu
Katelyn Ge,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Biomaterials, tissue regeneration
Projects: Developing polymers for vascular grafts
Hobbies: Reading, music, skiing, watching shows
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: ksg72@cornell.edu
Laurel Zhang,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Oncology and Drug Delivery
Projects: Chelation Crosslinking of Biodegradable Elastomers
Hobbies: Cooking! I used to be a professional chef.
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: ksg72@cornell.edu
Lea Seo,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Protein delivery, Regenerative Medicine, Immunology
Projects: Protein delivery via lipid covered coacervate Protein delivery via lipid covered coacervate
Hobbies: Walking, Hiking, Writing/mailing handwritten letters, Crochet, Listening to Taylor Swift, Spending time with family/friends
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: lhs85@cornell.edu
Priya Bhashyam,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Regenerative Medicine
Projects: Protein Delivery through Coacervate
Hobbies: Reading, Drawing, and Baking
Fun Facts: I am a NYS certified EMT
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: dpb97@cornell.edu
Jamie Li,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Biomaterials, tissue regeneration
Projects: Polymer synthesis for vascular grafts
Hobbies: Food, cooking, piano, music
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: zl859@cornell.edu
Amanda Wang,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests:Vascular graft, tissue regeneration
Projects: The effectiveness of PPIAS-25 in lowering oxidative stress and its potential to support wound healing, Accelerated Degradation on 25-PPIAS and 25-PPIAS crosslinked with different metals
Hobbies: Golf, Horseback Riding, Scuba Diving
Education
Undergraduate Researcher, Cornell University
Contact
Email: xw646@cornell.edu
Aaryaa Chiney,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Drug delivery, tissue engineering, microbiology
Projects: Investigating goldfish extracellular matrix proteins for spinal cord regeneration and functional recovery after injury
Hobbies: Singing, teaching, baking desserts, and collecting postcards when I travel!
Education
B.S. Biological Engineering from Cornell University (in progress, expected graduation May 2027)
Contact
Email: aac239@cornell.edu
Xiaokun Jiang,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: 3D printing, biomaterial
Projects: 3D printing heart valve leaflets
Hobbies: football, music, plastic model,3Dprinting
Education
Bachelor Degree of Engineering in Shanghai University on June 20th, 2024
Contact
Email: xj254@cornell.edu
Andy Ying,
Undergraduate Researcher
Research Interests: Tissue engineering, biomaterials
Projects: 3D printing earpiece
Hobbies: Taekwondo, violin
Education
Cornell University, Undergraduate
Contact
Email: ay443@cornell.edu
Rafal Wiglusz,
Visiting Professor
Research Interests: Nanotechnology: organic and inorganic nanosized materials
Projects: Biocompatible materials with theranostics’ properties for precision medical application; Nanosized composites with biomimetrics’ properties for precise medical application
Hobbies: Food, cooking, piano, music
Education
Master of Business Administration, Franklin University/WSB Merito University, Columbus, US/Wroclaw, Poland
Full Professor-Poland
Professor, Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, PAS, Poland
Hab. Ph.D, Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, PAS, Poland
Post-doc, University of Cologne, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Germany
Ph.D., in chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Poland
M.Sc., in chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Poland
Contact
Email: rjw283@cornell.edu
Paula Miller,
Research Support Specialist
Research Interests: To support the research projects of our group. Maintain a safe research environment and train new researchers about our laboratory and on proper usage of equipment.
Projects:
Hobbies: Walking, hiking, swimming, gardening, cross-country skiing, hanging around with the kids and animals.
Education
M.S., Natural Sciences, SUNY at Buffalo, Roswell Park Division
B.S., Biology, LeMoyne College
Contact
Email: pgm6@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-5204