Project: 

Engineering a Human Microphysiological System for the Characterization of
Islet -Immune Interactions

►Where are you from originally, and where did you go to school?

I am originally from South Florida. I completed my BS/MS degrees at the University of Miami, where I am also working toward my Ph.D.

►What is your current position?

I am currently a PhD Candidate in Dr. Agarwal’s Physiomimetic Microsystems Laboratory

►Why did you decide to become a researcher?

My work aims to engineer tools that provide the most relevant readouts to help researchers understand diseases and develop treatment strategies

►What is the “Big Picture” of what you study?

 My lab studies cell and tissue level processes in the islet and designs ways to harness islet biology to engineer novel therapeutic approaches for diabetes.

►What is your favorite aspect of your research?

My favorite aspect of my research is the diversity of problems I get work on. One day, I might be working cell cultures and the next day I could be machining microfluidic devices. Another day, I could be working with electronics that help automate the tools we are building.

► What do you hope to achieve with your research?

I hope to develop tools that accelerate the development novel treatments by overcoming the issues with standard cell culture and animal models.