Currently, I am working on hydrogels. These are polymeric networks that swell dramatically in water. The project focuses on the basic science question of creating these materials with improved mechanical strength and fracture properties. Throughout the summer I have also been involved in the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program; the program focuses on helping 4th and 5th grade teachers integrate engineering topics, more specifically material science and hydrogels, into their curriculum.
Graduate work: I am experienced in hydrogel synthesis of a variety of single-network, such as agarose, PEG-DA, MCS, poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid), polyacrylamide (PAAm), poly(N-vinyl formamide) (PNVF) and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PNVP). I also have experience with synthesizing double-network gels of many combinations of the single-networks but specifically of agarose and PEG-DA, and MCS and PAAm. The gel synthesis was done using a variety of free radical polymerization techniques, solution, thermal and photoinitiation. I have done swelling tests on these hydrogels as well as their mechanical characterization using our TA Instruments RSA III dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Using the DMA I have done compression tests and tensile tests (static and dynamic). I also have experience in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) of polymers and gels.
Undergraduate work: I worked on exploring the use and production of amphiphilic polymer-based hydrogels in biomedical and biological applications, specifically creating a matrix that could model the changes in a blood vessel to determine how atherosclerosis forms. The hydrogels designed are a blend of spherical forming AB diblock and ABA triblock copolymers. Synthesis of hydrogels was done by utilizing the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The nano-structured soft materials are characterized via gel permeation chromatography (GPC), 1H NMR, rheology, and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Not only that, but I have experience as an undergraduate on electrospinning as a way of using an electric field to create a polymer matrix with small fiber diameters from chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution blends. Parameters of interest we studied included: total polymer concentration, flow rate, and ratio of chitosan to PVA. I constructed an electrospinning apparatus and measured nanofibers using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
I’ve always been interested in the medical field, and I hope to get a medical degree after earning my Ph.D, although lately, I have been interested in integrating food science into health and nutrition. I would like to take my knowledge and work on using hydrogels and other polymers to advance the food science industry. Many natural polymers are used in baking. However, once I learn about pastries and baking I want to take my knowledge to work on smart polymers, polymers that change significantly with slight environmental changes. I would like to use these smart biopolymers to make “smart” foods. The foods would be healthier by cutting out the fats and adding nutrition, tastier by stimulating the nervous system through taste buds and provide a new artistic, culinary, revolutionary way to eat. I want to help ongoing organizations and programs to develop a cure for cancer, support funding, control diseases, and promote knowledge of early detection and prevention by exercise, diet, nutrition, and therapy. I would also like to use my knowledge to study regeneration using biomaterials.
In addition to my research interests, I am very active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and plan to attend their annual conference this fall in Salt Lake City, UT. Being an ambassador for the last year has given me the opportunity to interact with many students and attend events, including traveling to the AIChE conference. Besides school, I enjoy many outdoor activities, including rock climbing, swimming and scuba diving.