BMES Graduate Student Leadership
For more information about the Graduate Student Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) at Cornell, outreach activities, industry partnerships, and professional group networking opportunities, email cornellbmes@cornell.edu or see more information on our BMES Graduate Student Chapter page.
President: Sarah Henretta
Sarah (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Lammerding Lab studying the different conditions that promote breast cancer metastasis. She is originally from Rochester, NY and received her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). In her free time, Sarah enjoys running, hiking, playing with her dog, and exploring new places.
Vice President: Carlos Urrea De La Puerta
Carlos (he/him) is a Ph.D. student in the Bonassar Lab, where he studies meniscal enthesis characterization and tissue engineering. He is originally from Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, Mexico and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Arizona in 2022. In his free time, Carlos likes to play videogames, hiking, and reading.
Outreach Co-Chair: Anna Hazelwood
Anna is a Ph.D. student in the Lammerding lab studying nuclear lamins and the disease mechanisms of LMNA dilated cardiomyopathy. She is from Holden, Massachusetts and completed her bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking, dancing, and trying new restaurants.
Outreach Co-Chair: Darke Hull
Darke (he/him) is a Ph.D. student in the Erickson Lab researching applications of artificial intelligence for pregnancy nutrition. He was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and earned his Honors Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Oregon State University. In his free time, Darke enjoys rock climbing, playing video games, and making board and card games.
Professional Development Co-chair: Rachel Matthews
Rachel is a Ph.D. student in the Wiesner lab developing Cornell Dot nanotechnology as a therapeutic for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. She is originally from Damascus, MD and received her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2023. In her free time, Rachel likes to crochet, watch movies, and ride horses.
Community Engagement Co-Chair: Tyler Locke
Tyler is a PhD student in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab using in-vivo microscopy to study heart failure. He received his bachelor's degree in Biomedical Physics and Mathematics from Northeastern University. In his free time, he likes to play the saxophone and hang out with John.
Community Engagement Co-chair: John Toftegaard
John is a PhD student in the Butcher lab whose research involves the use of embedded bioprinting to manufacture aortic heart valves. He received his bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University at Buffalo. Outside of the lab John enjoys backpacking and rock climbing.
Treasurer: Salman O Matan
Salman (he/him) is a Ph.D. student in the Bonassar lab working on the regeneration of healthy cartilage from stem cells. He is originally from Mogadishu, Somalia. He completed his Bachelor’s in biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Salman enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and taking photos of nature in his free time.
Communications Chair: Andrea Garcia-Ortiz
Andi (she/her) is a Graduate Ph.D. student in the Lewis Lab, where she develops NanoCT Image-Based CFD models of the Lacunar-Canalicular Space (LCS). She is originally from North Plains, OR and received an Honors Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Oregon State University. In her free time, Andi enjoys playing competitive soccer with other Cornell graduate students.