Ph.D. Graduates
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Doctor of Philosophy 2024
Garrett Farrell Beeghly
Thesis title: “Hypertrophic Adipocytes Mediate Obesity-associated Breast Cancer Progression”
Advisor: Claudia Fischbach-Teschl
Before starting at Cornell, Garrett graduated with “Highest Distinction” in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia and has received many prestigious awards including a Whitaker Fellowship to perform research at the University of Cambridge in Great Britain. For his Ph.D. project, Garrett is investigating how size changes of adipocytes due to obesity affect cell mechanics and which role these differences play in the pathogenesis of cancer. He identified that larger adipocytes are stiffer and secrete more extracellular vesicles. Using a range of experimental and computational approaches and taking advantage of several collaborations both in and outside the U.S., Garrett showed that these differences promote tumor cell invasion, a process initiating metastasis and thus a worse clinical prognosis. Garrett’s excellence as a researcher has resulted in many high-impact publications and awards including a NSF-GRFP and a F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award by the NIH. In addition, he is a gifted teacher and communicator who has received a teaching award and a fellowship through Cornell’s Center for Teaching Innovation. Finally, Garrett not only amazes by his scientific prowess but also his exceptional baking skills. Had he auditioned for the Great British Baking Show, we are certain they would have picked him as a contestant! We wish him the very best as he advances to the next stage of life in academia.
Juan Manuel Boza
Thesis title: “Advancing Global Point-of-Care Diagnosis: Innovations in Detecting Infectious Diseases and Cancer”
Advisor: David Erickson
Juan Boza joined the Erickson lab in 2019. Most of his research focused on point-of-care diagnostics for Kaposi’s Sarcoma. Juan had incredible impact on this project supporting its deployment throughout sub-Saharan Africa and its use on over 1,000 patients. Juan had the opportunity to see the technology “in action” through various travels to Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi. Juan had the unfortunate timing of starting his Ph.D. studies right before COVID hit, but was very successful in adapting, even developing a version of his technology that ended up testing wastewater in Florida for the virus.
Katherine Marie Driscoll
Thesis title: “Mechanisms of Emergence in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease”
Advisor: Jonathan Butcher
Katherine came to Cornell after majoring in biomedical and health sciences engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, winning several awards for her academics and research activities. Katherine’s research focused on understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of aortic valve homeostasis and calcification. Employing an engineered tissue model system, Katherine discovered a novel monolayer disruption event initiated by the valve endothelium, which then forms the calcified lesion through aggregating the underlying interstitial cells. In collaboration with the Adie lab, she employed optical coherence microscopy to further discover that tissue matrix fenestrations precede calcific lesion formation, which she determined is driven by augmented Rho/Rac-mediated cellular contractility. Further, she conducted single-cell RNA-seq and identified novel subpopulations of valve cells that are protective and susceptible to calcification. These results illuminate novel cellular programs that could be targeted pharmacologically for treating calcific aortic valve disease, a serious unmet clinical need. Katherine won several conference awards, and she was further supported by an NIH Predoctoral Fellowship. Katherine also served as president of the student BMES chapter during COVID and has been a great leader and mentor of undergraduates. Her generational legacy in the lab will extend many years into the future. We will miss having her insights and expertise in the lab but are excited for her next career steps.
Emily Laurilliard
Thesis title: “Investigating Vascular Endothelial Cell-muscle Stem Cell Communication in Skeletal Muscle In Vivo and In Vitro”
Advisor: Benjamin Cosgrove
Emily completed a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering with cum laude honors at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After joining Cornell’s BME Ph.D. program in 2018, Emily joined Ben Cosgrove’s lab and completed a project studying how muscle stem cells and vascular endothelial cells interact during muscle repair. Emily’s work combines new approaches in cellular engineering, in vivo microscopy, and transcriptomic analyses to identify molecular mechanisms that endothelial cells use to control muscle stem cell behaviors. Emily has presented this thesis research at international engineering and muscle conferences and in upcoming publications. More impactfully, Emily has been deeply committed to advancing science policy and engagement during her thesis studies. She has contributed to programs such as New York State Science and Technology (NYSST) Policy Network and Vaccination Conversations with Scientists (VaCS). Emily was distinguished with the Cornell Engineering Ephrahim Garcia Graduate Excellence in Mentoring Award in 2021, demonstrating her keen mentoring skills. After graduation, Emily will start a position as a New York State Science Policy Fellow in Albany.
Renhao Lu
Thesis title: “Tissue-Engineered In Vitro Models for Studying Lymphatic Morphogenesis, Pathogenesis, and Drug Delivery”
Advisor: Esak Lee
Renhao Lu has significantly advanced the field of biomedical engineering through his Ph.D. dissertation, “Tissue-Engineered In Vitro Models For Studying Lymphatic Morphogenesis, Pathogenesis, and Drug Delivery.” As a founding member of our laboratory, Renhao has been the driving force behind our pioneering efforts in tissue microfabrication and 3D printing. His pioneering efforts have introduced novel methods for developing in vitro models, offering critical perspectives into lymphatic valve formation, ocular lymphatic dysfunction, and the design of lymphatic drug delivery systems. Moreover, Renhao’s generosity extends beyond his research contributions; he has been instrumental in supporting the projects of other lab members and colleagues within the department through his expertise in fabrication technologies. His willingness to share his knowledge and technical skills has fostered a collaborative and productive research environment. Renhao’s contributions are not just limited to technical advancements but include nurturing a culture of cooperation and mutual growth in the field of biomedical engineering. His work on tissue-engineered models is a testament to his ingenuity and dedication, offering promising avenues for future research on lymphatic health and drug delivery systems. It fills me with great pride to see him become our lab’s first Ph.D. graduate, a landmark achievement for our team!
Tyler James McNeill
Thesis title: “Mechanisms Driving the Skeletal Response to Mechanical Loading and Parathyroid Hormone”
Advisor: Marjolein van der Meulen
Tyler came to Cornell after a very successful undergraduate career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. His research has been in skeletal mechanobiology, working to understand factors contributing to load-induced bone formation. Tyler stands out to me for several key characteristics: First of all Tyler is a leader in my group. He is direct and honest, someone I can always count on to tell me what he thinks and what I need to know, even when it’s not pleasant. I truly appreciate his straightforward feedback. Tyler is also an excellent team player who works well with others and is an exceptional mentor for undergraduates. Outreach to increase awareness and access to engineering have been a priority for him, as have diversity and belonging more generally. In fact, Tyler was recognized with the Robert I. Mozia Distinguished Service Award from the Meinig School for his co-leadership of our BME Diversity Committee. Tyler is memorable for his amazing recall of interesting facts that led our lab to two BME trivia contest wins. And last, but not least, over the past several years Tyler has perfected his baking skills, treating us to many delicious deserts.
Omary Mzava
Thesis title: “Liquid Biopsy Assays for Enhanced Diagnosis and Monitoring of Immune and Infectious Diseases”
Advisor: Iwijn De Vlaminck
Omary grew up in Tanzania in the foothills of the Kilimanjaro. He studied electrical and electronics engineering in Turkey at Selcuk University and Abdullah Gul University. During his Ph.D., Omary developed molecular tests to identify infection and organ injury. He first addressed a major challenge related to sequencing-based analyses of microbial communities: environmental DNA contamination. Omary came up with an elegant method “SIFT-seq” that overcomes this issue. The idea is to tag the DNA in the sample prior to DNA isolation with a label that can be recorded by DNA sequencing. Any contaminating DNA that is introduced in the sample after tagging can then be identified and removed. In collaboration with two other graduate students in the lab, Omary turned this idea into reality. He established a proof-of-principle of SIFT-seq, showing its ability to reduce background signals from DNA contamination by two to three orders of magnitude! Next, Omary explored clinical applications of SIFT-seq, most importantly to screen for infection underlying sepsis. In his final thesis chapter, Omary studied the properties and biogenesis of circulating cell-free RNA in urine and found that profiling of this RNA by RNA-sequencing is a promising avenue to sensitively and noninvasively detect kidney injury.
Leigh Slyker
Thesis title: “Engineering Collagen Nanostructure to Enable Stiff and Tough Cartilage Biomaterials”
Advisor: Lawrence Bonassar
Leigh came to Cornell after receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University at Buffalo. Leigh’s thesis research at Cornell focused on developing new collagen biomaterials through covalent modification and collagen biohybrid composites. These materials showed exceptional mechanical properties, achieving the high toughness and excellent cytocompatibility needed for auricular tissue engineering. As a Ph.D. student, Leigh published four peer-reviewed papers, including three as first author or co-first author. His awards include a fellowship from the Sloan Foundation and an F31 predoctoral fellowship from the NIH. Since receiving his Ph.D., Leigh has been working as a senior engineer in drug product development at Moderna. Congratulations, Leigh!
Chase (Charles) Webb
Thesis title: “Development of a Goldfish-derived Regenerative Extracellular Matrix”
Advisor: Yadong Wang
Chase joined my lab in 2018. Right when he finished all the classes and ready to focus 100% on real Ph.D. work, we were all shut down. Despite that, he overcame many hurdles in his project. Through his thorough analysis, we have a more complete picture on how the goldfish heart regenerates after injury and how we may use its ECM to treat heart failure. With that, he passes the baton to labmate Catia. Chase, may the force be with you on the next leg of your journey.
Nathaniel Wright
Thesis title: “Advancing Drug Delivery Using Coacervate for Immunotherapy”
Advisor: Yadong Wang
Nathaniel joined my lab five years ago. In other words, right when he became proficient in his experiments, we were all shut down. So it goes without saying that he has been very productive. I think the secret to his success is stamina and willpower to overcome adversity (hint: marathon runner). What may not be as obvious is that he is very independent and creative. He is the first in our lab to make microneedles and make them into an effective tri-phasic delivery medium. With that, he passes the baton to labmate Chelsea. May the force be with you Nathaniel, on whatever you set your eyes on!
Xieyue Xiao
Thesis title: “Phenotypic Diversity Among Prevotella Copri Strains Inhabiting a Single Individual’s Gut Microbiome”
Advisor: Ilana Brito
Xieyue (Sharon) Xiao started as an M.Eng. student in the Brito lab, pretty close to when it originally opened for business. At the time, she took on a courageous and difficult project trying to isolate a species of gut bacteria that dominates throughout the world but has been recalcitrant to culture. She not only isolated one but also 63 different isolates. She has spent the last few years characterizing their growth patterns, resource utilization and production, and their effects on human cells and trying to engineer them. Sharon has brought a strong sense of determination to this project. She has developed a huge skillset including synthetic biology methods, computational analyses, and bacterial and human cell culture and is an extremely careful experimentalist. Sharon has also participated in several collaborations, broadening her impact in the microbiome engineering field. Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and wonderful cheer and generosity to the Brito lab. We wish her all the best with her next steps.
Aria R. Yslas
Thesis title: “Biomimetic, Microfluidic In Vitro Models to Recreate the Glymphatic Microenvironment and Investigate Astrocyte Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease”
Advisor: Esak Lee
Aria R. Yslas has made a significant contribution to the field of neurodegenerative diseases with her Ph.D. dissertation titled “Biomimetic, Microfluidic In Vitro Models to Recreate the Glymphatic Microenvironment and Investigate Astrocyte Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease.” As one of the founding members of our laboratory, Aria was instrumental in pioneering the lab’s research on brain lymphatics. Her work stands out for its innovative approach to modeling the complex mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, with a special focus on the critical role of astrocytes in the glymphatic system. Beyond her research excellence, Aria has been a remarkable mentor and leader within the academic community. Her dedication to fostering the growth of young scientists, coupled with her commitment to outreach, has made a lasting impact. As a recipient of the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) award, Aria has demonstrated not only outstanding academic and research capabilities but also an exceptional ability to engage and inspire others in the field. Her work promises to open new pathways for understanding and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring her role in advancing neuroscience research. I am filled with immense pride as she stands as our lab’s first Ph.D. graduate, marking a significant milestone for us!