Category: awards

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Rose Undergraduate Research Award Recipient Yerahm Hong Q&A

The Rose Undergraduate Research Award, administered by Penn’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF), recognizes outstanding and highly original research projects completed by graduating seniors under the guidance of Penn faculty. In this Q&A, Yerahm Hong (BE’26), a 2026 award recipient, shares her research journey and reflects on the work behind the award.

Can you describe your research project and its significance in terms a general audience can understand?

My project aims to assess the effectiveness of an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) gene therapy for KCNC1-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Pediatric patients with these rare genetic disorders suffer from spontaneous seizures, developmental delays, and intellectual disabilities, all deeply affecting their quality of life and the lives of their families. In these disorders, the body is making a protein that doesn’t work correctly, which causes misregulation of the brain’s electrical signals. The ASO therapy is designed to go into the cells and “intercept” the genetic instructions, preventing the faulty protein from being made in the first place. By testing this therapy in a mouse model, we’re moving closer to a cure in a world where current options like medications, special diets, and surgery remain limited in their effectiveness.

What problem does your research aim to address, and why is it important?

We’re addressing the lack of targeted treatments for rare genetic epilepsies. We’ve shown promising preliminary results for this ASO, which opens doors to potentially effective therapies for clinical trials.

What drew you to this research topic and working with Ethan Goldberg, Associate Professor of Neurology?

I’ve worked with Dr. Goldberg since the summer of my freshman year. Taking “Introduction to Brain and Behavior” as an elective sparked a curiosity for neuroscience that I decided to explore in the lab. Over the last few years, I’ve worked on various projects investigating the mechanisms of pediatric epilepsy through mouse models.

Why did you transition to this specific project?

I started this project in the summer of my junior year because I wanted to explore translational research. Since I had already contributed to the characterization of the mouse model for KCNC1-related DEE, it made sense to transition to exploring this specific therapeutic approach.

What was your specific role in the project?

My role involved injecting the ASO for each cohort of mice and conducting survival and behavioral studies to see how well the therapy worked. Currently, I’m collaborating with other research scientists and mentors in the lab to move the project forward. 

Was there a particularly challenging or rewarding moment in your research experience?

Recently, I achieved an interesting result quantifying the level of Kv3.1 protein knockdown by the ASO. The Western Blot experiment, a lab technique that separates proteins by molecular weight, was not guaranteed to work because it required many extensive steps. Completing it without mistakes with the help of my mentor was a very rewarding moment.

What has this experience taught you about the nature of research?

It taught me that research requires an enjoyment of the troubleshooting process. The attention to detail required to execute experiments effectively is a skill I hope to continue building throughout my career.

How did working with Ethan Goldberg, Associate Professor of Neurology, shape your experience?

Dr. Goldberg cultivated a lab environment conducive to learning, mentorship, and independence. He has been a kind mentor and role model who invested in me both professionally and personally. I’m very fortunate to have had this opportunity throughout my undergraduate years. I also deeply appreciate the daily mentorship of Sophie Liebergall, MD-PhD Candidate at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and Dr. Kelly Markwalter, Postdoctoral Research/Clinical Fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

What does receiving the Rose Award mean to you?

I am profoundly humbled and encouraged by this recognition. Receiving this award is a testament to the wonderful work of my mentors in helping shape who I am as an aspiring physician-scientist. Working with people who are genuinely passionate about what they do is contagious.

What advice would you give to students who are just getting started with research?

Don’t give up! Enjoy the process and take advantage of the resources available at Penn. The time scale at which biomedical research moves is far beyond your time here, so it’s important to put things into perspective as you explore.

How has this experience influenced your future goals?

Being in a great research environment has given me a strong desire to pursue the physician- scientist path. Through an MD-PhD, I hope to gain the skills I need to make great research ideas into a reality. I’ve been bitten by the science bug, and I hope that I can channel this energy to advancing the latest neurotechnologies through research.

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2026 Bioengineering National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Established to advance the progress of science and strengthen national health, prosperity and security, the NSF funds early-stage, high-impact research that drives discovery and innovation. Its investments help develop new knowledge, train the next generation of scientists and engineers and expand the frontiers of what is possible.

Among the NSF’s most prestigious programs is the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students at the beginning of their research careers. The fellowship provides three years of funding, including a stipend and tuition support, and is awarded to individuals who demonstrate both strong intellectual merit and the potential for broad societal impact. By investing in emerging researchers, the GRFP plays a critical role in shaping future leaders in science and engineering.

Within the University of Pennsylvania, several students affiliated with Bioengineering have been selected as 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program awardees. Their recognition reflects both individual achievement and the strength of the Bioengineering community at Penn Engineering.

Congratulations to these students on this accomplishment.

Current Bioengineering Ph.D Students:

  • Giana Vitale
  • Sylvia Cho
  • Roy Chen
  • Cayman Matson
  • Alexandra Dolynuk
  • Tal Dassau
  • Sasha Shefter
  • Emily Fitzgerald

Incoming Bioengineering Ph.D Students:

  • Lindsay Gallgher
  • Gene Weng
  • Chloe Connolly
  • Julia Patterson
  • Natalie Calahan
  • Evangeline Meyler
  • Cameron White
  • Aisha Mansoor
  • Lucy Park
  • Songman Li
  • Sara Hunihan
  • Rene DeBrabander
  • April Guo-Yue

Undergraduate Bioengineering Students Going on to Graduate Studies:

  • Shiny Shen, will be attending the Duke University Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program.
  • Anthony Tukanowicz-Hassett, will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Biological Engineering Ph.D. Program.
  • Emily Zhang, will not to pursue graduate studies at this time, and will be joining Epic post grad as a Technical Solutions Engineer.
  • Brianna Leung, will be attending Stanford University’s Bioengineering Ph.D. program.

Recent Bioengineering Alumni:

  • Ryann Joseph, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioengineering at Harvard.
  • Sophia Klessel, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering at The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University
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2026 Undergraduate Awards for Bioengineering Students

Each spring, awards are given to undergraduate students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievements and service to the School and University community.

Read the full list of Bioengineering undergraduate award winners below.

The following awards are presented by the SEAS Undergraduate Affairs Committee.

The Wolf-Hallac Award

Shiny Shen

Shiny Shen

This award was established in October 2000 to recognize the graduating female senior from across Penn Engineering’s departments who is seen as a role model, has achieved a high GPA (in the top 10% of their class), and who has demonstrated a commitment to school and/or community.

Maddie Magee Award

Sage Leland

The Maddie Magee Award for Undergraduate Excellence was established to remember and celebrate Madison “Maddie” N. Magee, MEAM BS ’21, BE MS ’21. The award is given annually to a Penn Engineering senior who best exemplifies the energy, enthusiasm and excellence that was Maddie.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Madison Magee Award for Undergraduate Excellence, and I will carry forward her legacy of energy, enthusiasm, and
dedication in everything I pursue beyond Penn Engineering.”
-Sage Leland

Sage Leland

The following awards are presented by the Department of Bioengineering.

The Hugo Otto Wolf Memorial Prize

Natey Kim
Ben Nachod

This prize is awarded to one or more members of each department’s senior class, distinguishing students who meet with great approval of the professors at large through “thoroughness and originality” in their work.

Ben Nachod

“I would like to thank all of the wonderful BE professors and lab instructors who have supported and mentored me throughout the past four years. I am also deeply grateful to Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Momin for their guidance and support as research mentors, as well as to all of the members of the Mitchell and Momin labs.”
-Ben Nachod

The Bioengineering Student Leadership Award

Yerahm Hong

This award is given annually to a student in Bioengineering who has demonstrated, through a combination of academic performance, service, leadership, and personal qualities, that they will be a credit to the Department, the School, and the University.

Yerahm Hong

“I had never imagined just how wonderful a community BE would be when I first arrived at Penn–from the faculty, BE lab staff, my fellow students, and alumni, I’ve found my family right here in BE labs. Thank you to all of my BE professors (and the lab instructors and staff, especially) for their contributions to my growth in the classroom and beyond. I’m very grateful and honored to represent BE!”
– Yerahm Hong

The Herman P. Schwan Award

John Kim

The Herman P. Schwan Award was established by the faculty of the Department of Bioengineering as an enduring tribute to their colleague and friend, in honor and recognition of his outstanding achievements in Bioengineering, and in commemoration of the receipt of his honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1986 from the University. This award is given each year to a graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated the highest standards of scholarship and academic achievement.

“Thank you to the Bioengineering faculty, mentors, and classmates who made my time at Penn truly special. Whether it was late-night study sessions before exams or working together on research projects, your support shaped my learning and experience. I feel very lucky to be part of such a caring and inspiring community!”
-John Kim

Penn Engineering Exceptional Service Award

Trenton Campos
Yash Rajpal
Anthony Tukanowicz-Hassett
Austin Wei Zhuang

This award recognize students for their outstanding service to the University and their larger communities.

“I’m so grateful to be given the chance to serve as both a mentor and a TA throughout my time here at Penn!”
-Yash Rajpal

Yash Rajpal
Austin Wei Zhuang

“I would like to thank all my BE professors for giving me the opportunity and knowledge to serve as a TA and mentor for others.”
-Austin Wei Zhuang

Albert Giandomenico Award

Kyulee Kim
Jennifer Li
Sunnie Li
Max Wang

The Bioengineering Department also presents a single lab group with the Albert Giandomenico Award which reflects their “teamwork, leadership, creativity, and knowledge applied to discovery-based learning in the laboratory.”

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Nick Marzolini Named 7th Recipient of the Michael S. Brown Fellowship

Penn MD/PhD student recognized for outstanding potential as a physician–scientist developing targeted genetic therapies.

Nick Marzolini, recipient of the 7th annual Michael S. Brown Fellowship, is an MD/PhD student in Penn’s Medical Scientist Training Program.

Nick Marzolini, an MD/PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Pennsylvania, has been named the 7th annual recipient of the Michael S. Brown Fellowship, awarded each year to one MSTP student for “outstanding potential as a physician–scientist.”

“When I learned of my receipt of this award, I felt largely honored to be considered for it amongst such a competitive applicant pool,” says Marzolini. “My MSTP classmates are extraordinarily bright, talented, and hard-working, and it is incredibly validating to know that the MSTP awards committee feels similarly about me.”

Honoring a Legacy of Discovery

The fellowship was established by Michael S. Brown (C ’62, M ’66, HON ’86), a Penn alumnus and Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. Brown, along with colleague Joseph Goldstein, received the 1985 Nobel Prize for discoveries in cholesterol metabolism that led to life-saving treatments for heart disease. His eponymous fellowship continues that spirit of scientific innovation by supporting Penn MD/PhD students pursuing transformative biomedical research.

“This recognition validates that my research has true clinical implications,” says Marzolini, “underscoring its enormous therapeutic potential.”

Pioneering Targeted Gene Therapy

Marzolini’s research focuses on targeted gene therapy, developing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with DNA to deliver therapeutic genes directly to diseased organs. His goal is to create treatments for conditions that currently have no cure.

“With this technology, I hope to deliver therapeutic genes implicated in diseases across the body — including the lungs (e.g., pulmonary hypertension) and central nervous system (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease),” he explains. “If successful, a single safe injection will bring hope to where there was previously none.”

Lipid nanoparticles have become a cornerstone of modern biomedicine, serving as delivery vehicles for mRNA vaccines and genetic medicines. Marzolini’s work builds on that foundation, exploring how DNA-bearing LNPs can target tissues with precision, paving the way for safer and more effective therapies.

Mentorship and Collaboration

Marzolini conducts his research in the Brenner Bioengineering Lab, led by Jake Brenner, MD, PhD, a member of the Bioengineering Graduate Group Faculty, whose team studies advanced delivery systems for treating lung injury and inflammation.

“My PI, Dr. Jake Brenner, affords me scientific freedom to explore my own research avenues while harboring a collegial lab culture,” says Marzolini. “My colleagues provide me with considerable guidance. And the MSTP works tirelessly to ensure my growth as a physician–scientist.”

He emphasizes that his success is the product of a shared effort. “Mentorship and collaboration are requisite in science,” he says. “My success is simply the sum of all the mentoring, help, and kindness I have received from others along the way.”

Looking Ahead

As he continues toward his dual degrees — a PhD expected in 2028 and MD in 2030 — Marzolini says the fellowship will be instrumental in advancing his next phase of research. “This fellowship will undoubtedly prove pivotal as I take the next steps toward my goal of translating our new technology into a viable therapeutic,” he says.

For Marzolini, the recognition is both a milestone and a motivator. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to further pursue my scientific and clinical passions, which I find only burn brighter the closer I get to achieving them.”

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Penn BMES Wins National Commendable Achievement Award

Celebrating Student Leadership and Community in Bioengineering

The University of Pennsylvania’s chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) has been recognized nationally with the Commendable Achievement Award, the second-highest honor given to student chapters by the national BMES organization. The award celebrates Penn BMES’s exceptional efforts to build community, foster professional growth, and expand the reach of bioengineering at Penn and beyond during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Kyulee Kim and Krish Modi accept the Commendable Achievement Award on behalf of the Penn BMES chapter.

BMES leaders Kyulee Kim (BSE and MSE, Bioengineering) and Krish Modi (BSE and MSE, Bioengineering) accepted the award on behalf of the chapter at the BMES Annual Meeting, held October 8–11, 2025, in San Diego, California.

“Being part of BMES has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Penn,” said Modi, current President of Penn BMES. “It’s given me the chance to connect with students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals and to help make our department feel more connected. Receiving the Commendable Achievement Award is an exciting recognition of all the energy and care our team puts into building that community.”

“We were able to gradually expand our impact across the school these past few years,” added Kim, senior advisor and former president of Penn BMES. “Being recognized as the best club of the year by Penn Engineering and now by BMES nationally affirms that our efforts have been meaningful for the community and motivates us to continue making an impact.”

From Left to Right: Saw Nwe, Anya Mittal, Emily Jiang, Krish Modi, Jonathan Largoza, Yifan Zhai, Alekha Malhotra

Elevating the Bioengineering Community

Penn BMES serves as the undergraduate professional society for the Department of Bioengineering, acting as a liaison between faculty and students while offering opportunities for professional development, wellness, and outreach. Each semester, the club hosts a robust calendar of events designed to connect students across class years, support academic success, and explore career pathways in bioengineering.

Highlights from Fall 2025 include:

  • Mentorship Kickoff with the Graduate Association of Bioengineers (GABE) – fostering connections between undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Alumni Dinner at the Singh Center – bringing together alumni, students, and faculty for networking and shared conversation.
  • WUHC x BMES x PUCS Research Showcase – highlighting undergraduate research across engineering and the health sciences.
  • ADAPT x BMES High School Engineering Event – introducing local high school students to bioengineering through hands-on activities.
  • Faculty Lunch Series – informal gatherings with Penn Bioengineering professors to discuss research and career advice.
  • Wellness and study break events, including School Supply Decorating and Winter Wellness, to help students recharge throughout the semester.

Through these events and collaborations, BMES continues to strengthen the sense of belonging within the Penn Bioengineering community and inspire future leaders in the field.

Kim reflects, “When I first joined BMES my freshman year, I had no idea it would be such a significant part of my Penn experience. To me, at first, BMES was simply a club that met once a week and hosted occasional bioengineering events. However, as I spent more time in the club, I truly started to think more deeply about what Bioengineering students need – stronger sense of community, more opportunities for learning outside the classroom, and clearer understanding of  how we as bioengineers can make an impact on broader communities like greater Philadelphia.”

Representing Penn on the National Stage

At the BMES Annual Meeting, members Bioengineering community represented the department as student ambassadors, hosting a booth to share information about their chapter’s initiatives and connect with peers from around the country.

From left to right: Emily Jiang, Yifan Zhai, Emily Zhang, Saw Nwe, Krish Modi, Jonathan Largoza, Yashna Gupta, Iris Wong, Alekha Malhotra, and Anya Mittal.

Penn’s delegation included:

  • Undergraduate students: Krish Modi, Ian Peng, Jonathan Largoza, Emily Jiang, Saw Nwe
  • Master’s students: Yixiao Zhao, Korey Patwari, Akshaya Biju
  • PhD students: Amanda Murray, Hannah Yamagata, Renee-Tyler Morales, and Emily Lin

The Ambassadors were advised by Jina Ko, Assistant Professor in Bioengineering, who supported their participation at the conference.

Alumni & Friends Gathering

Penn Bioengineering also hosted an Alumni & Friends Gathering on Wednesday, October 8, at Meze Greek Fusion in San Diego, offering an informal space for alumni, students, postdocs, and faculty to reconnect during the meeting.

As the chapter continues to grow, Penn BMES remains dedicated to fostering community, advancing professional development, and celebrating the creativity that defines bioengineering at Penn.

Learn more about Penn BMES.

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A Year of Momentum: Penn Bioengineering Looks Back and Ahead

As the fall semester begins and students return to campus, it’s the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the progress of the past year—and to look ahead to the opportunities before us. In Penn Bioengineering, we’ve seen extraordinary growth, momentum, and accomplishment across every part of our mission. From new faculty appointments and landmark research breakthroughs to student achievements and the opening of transformative new spaces, this has been a year defined by innovation and community.

I’m pleased to share another year of growth, momentum, and accomplishment in Penn Bioengineering. Our community continues to expand in size, energy, and ambition, and I am constantly inspired by the excellence of our students, faculty, and alumni. With 265 undergraduates, 217 master’s students, 404 doctoral students, and 60 faculty, the department is thriving across every dimension of our mission. This year marked a particularly exciting milestone as our community began fully utilizing Amy Gutmann Hall and One uCity Square—two transformative spaces that now house state-of-the-art laboratories, collaborative hubs, and flexible teaching environments that will sustain our growth for years to come.

I’m thrilled to share several exciting faculty updates that reflect the continued growth and excellence of Penn Bioengineering. We welcomed Eva Dyer, Ph.D., as the Rachleff Family Associate Professor, with a tenured appointment in both Bioengineering and Computer and Information Science. Eva is a nationally recognized leader in NeuroAI, whose work combines neuroscience and machine learning to deepen our understanding of brain function and drive innovation in neural technologies. We also welcomed Brian Halak, Ph.D. (Penn BE ’93), as a Practice Professor, bringing decades of experience as a biotech entrepreneur and investor. In addition, we’ve appointed Pranam Chatterjee, Ph.D., as Assistant Professor in Bioengineering and CIS, where his work in AI-driven protein design is helping to build bridges across engineering and precision health. Claudia Loebel, M.D., Ph.D.—a former Penn Bioengineering postdoc and now a Packard Fellow—has joined us as the Reliance Industries Term Assistant Professor. And I’m especially pleased to share that Alex Hughes, Ph.D., has been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure, a recognition of his innovative work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Our faculty were honored with a wide range of prestigious awards this year, reflecting the breadth and excellence of our community. Claudia Loebel received four significant recognitions: the Rising Star Award from BMES-CMBE, the CMBE Young Innovators Award, a MIRA Award from the NIH, and was named Junior Researcher of the Year by Wiley’s Macromolecular Rapid Communications. Cesar de la Fuente received the Michael S. Brown New Investigator Research Award from Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine and a 2025 Sloan Research Fellowship. Jina Ko was recognized with the NSF CAREER Award and received the Restore Prize from CiPD. Michael Mitchell received the Kabiller Rising Star Award in Nanomedicine from the International Institute for Nanotechnology and was elected to the Controlled Release Society College of Fellows. Noor Momin was honored with a PhRMA Foundation Award, a Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award, the AHA Transformational Project Award, and the PhRMA Foundation Faculty Starter Grant in Drug Delivery. Yihui Shen received a winning award from the inaugural Perelman School of Medicine Frontier Core Initiative, supporting the launch of a transformative research platform. David Cormode was elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows, an honor reserved for the top two percent of medical and biological engineers, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the field of nanoparticle contrast agents and multi-energy x-ray imaging. Dennis Discher was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the highest honors in U.S. scholarship. These achievements speak to the extraordinary talent, innovation, and leadership within our department, and to the collaborative spirit that defines Penn Bioengineering.

Top row left to right: Claudia Loebel, Cesar de la Fuente, Jina Ko, and Michael Mitchell
Botton row left to right: Noor Momin, Yihui Shen, David Cormode, and Dennis Discher

Our students, too, continue to shine. Ph.D. student Serena Omo-Lamai was selected as a 2025 Schmidt Science Fellow, one of the most prestigious postdoctoral honors worldwide. Nova Meng and Theresa Haupt received Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants, and four of our Ph.D. students were awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, with several more earning honorable mention. Ajay Thatte received the Penn Prize for Excellence in Teaching by Graduate Students—an especially meaningful recognition of his dedication to mentorship. Several of our Ph.D. students earned recognition from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) for outstanding abstracts and poster presentations at IMMUNOLOGY2025. These accolades speak to the curiosity, creativity, and drive of our student community.

Photo credit: Todd Mason

This year also marked the first full year of the Center for Precision Engineering for Health (CPE4H), now flourishing in its new home at One uCity Square. Currently hosting 12 Bioengineering labs, CPE4H has already proven instrumental in supporting early-stage research and helping faculty leverage preliminary results into major external funding, a clear example of how Penn Bioengineering is accelerating discoveries into real-world impact.

As the new academic year begins, we celebrate the many achievements of our students, faculty, and alumni, and we look ahead with energy and optimism. The growth of our community, the recognition of our faculty and students, and the expansion of our research footprint all signal a bright future for Penn Bioengineering. With new challenges to tackle and new opportunities to seize, our department is poised to continue shaping the future of health, technology, and society.

Sincerely,
Ravi Radhakrishnan, PhD
Professor and Herman P. Schwan Chair of Bioengineering
Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

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Engineering a Healthier Heart: Noor Momin Receives AHA Transformational Project Award

When someone survives a heart attack, the battle isn’t always over. In fact, nearly one-third of survivors go on to develop heart failure—a progressive weakening of the heart muscle that affects millions and contributes to roughly 500,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Dr. Noor Momin, the Stephenson Foundation Term Assistant Professor of Innovation in Bioengineering at Penn, is working to change that. Her lab’s innovative approach to immune modulation after heart attacks has just been recognized with the prestigious American Heart Association (AHA) Transformational Project Award for 2025. This award supports groundbreaking ideas that hold the potential to significantlya dvance cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research. (See award criteria.)

(Photo Credit: Mark Griffey, Penn Engineering)

A Targeted Strategy to Prevent Heart Failure

Following a heart attack, the immune system springs into action to repair damaged tissue. But when that response lingers or becomes excessive, it can cause additional harm—like a repair crew overstaying its welcome and inadvertently worsening the damage.

Momin’s lab is developing a targeted strategy using cytokines to control this immune response. Cytokines are used by immune cells to communicate with each other and other cells. Instead of delivering just a cytokine, which can lead to harmful side effects in healthy tissues, they’ve re-engineered it to home to damaged heart tissue. Early preclinical tests have shown that this approach can prevent heart failure with minimal side effects. 

The lab is now focused on conducting further dose and treatment schedule optimization, safety and mechanistic studies to move the technology towards clinical translation.

This line of research could lead to a fundamentally new way to prevent heart failure in heart attack survivors, directly supporting the American Heart Association’s mission to help people live longer, healthier lives.

From Seed to Solution: The Role of CPE4H

This transformative research began with a spark: seed funding from the Penn Center for Precision Engineering for Health (CPE4H).

“The seed grant was crucial for getting our project off the ground right after we moved to One uCity in the summer of 2024,” Momin explains. “Having those funds immediately available allowed us to start research without delay and maintain momentum in gathering preliminary data. This work directly led to securing AHA funding in under a year – which is exceptionally fast for translational research. The seed grant essentially jump started everything. We’re really grateful for that support.”

That rapid trajectory is exactly what the CPE4H aims to support.

“Noor’s success with the American Heart Association proposal is very exciting to me and the center,” says Daniel A. Hammer, Inaugural Director of CPE4H and the Alfred G. and Meta A. Ennis Professor for Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “Noor’s work embodies the principles of the CPE4H – using engineering principles to develop therapies that have real consequences for human health, in this case cardiovascular disease. In addition, it’s particularly gratifying that we can support and initiate funding for an Assistant Professor who is at the early stages of her career.”

Engineering Innovation, Saving Lives

As Dr. Momin’s project progresses, it offers a glimpse into a future where heart attack survivors have better tools to prevent the onset of heart failure—tools born from innovative thinking and catalyzed by early support.

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Celebrating the 2025 Solomon R. Pollack Award Winners in Graduate Bioengineering Research

Each year, the Department of Bioengineering at Penn Engineering proudly recognizes outstanding doctoral students whose research exemplifies innovation, impact, and academic excellence. The Solomon R. Pollack Award for Excellence in Graduate Bioengineering Research celebrates the achievements of students who have advanced our understanding of biological systems through engineering.

In 2025, four exceptional Ph.D. students—Nikolas Di Caprio, Harshini Chandrashekar, David Gonzalez-Martinez, and Kelsey Swingle—have been honored with this prestigious award. Their work spans neuroscience, oncology, maternal health, and tissue engineering, reflecting the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Nikolas Di Caprio: Engineering Injectable Platforms for Cartilage Repair

Dissertation Title: “Engineering Dynamic Granular Composites for the Repair of Cartilage Tissue”

Nikolas Di Caprio earned his B.S. in Bioengineering with a minor in Chemistry from Temple University in 2019, where he conducted undergraduate research on 3D in-vitro models of adipose tissue. 

Building on this foundation, his doctoral work in Dr. Jason Burdick’s lab focused on developing an injectable system using stem cell aggregates and hydrogel microparticles to repair cartilage. His work addressed both the biological and mechanical aspects of tissue regeneration, incorporating automated testing tools he designed to probe particle mechanics. The research offers new strategies for minimally invasive musculoskeletal treatments.

“I would like to thank Jason Burdick for the nomination, the committee for selecting me for the generous award, and my family, friends, and previous advisors for all the support during my Ph.D.“

Nikolas’s research embodies the intersection of material science and regenerative medicine, pushing the boundaries of bioengineering innovation.

Harshini Chandrashekar: Mapping the Genome’s Architecture in Alzheimer’s

Dissertation Title: “Addressing the Genome’s Structure-Function Relationship in Neural Activation and Neurological Disorders”

Harshini Chandrashekar completed her B.Tech. in Biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology, India, before moving to the U.S. in 2017 to pursue a master’s degree in Bioinformatics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2019, she joined Dr. Jennifer Cremins lab as a Computational Scientist and began her Ph.D. in Bioengineering at Penn in 2020. In the Cremins lab, she investigated how the three-dimensional genome architecture—particularly chromatin loops—regulates gene expression in the context of familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). Her innovative combination of experimental and computational approaches uncovered early-stage disruptions in genome folding that may precede classical disease hallmarks.

Her findings are available on bioRxiv and have already garnered accolades, including the Young Talented and Developing (TAD) Scientist Award from Genome Organization Australia and the Best Research Presentation Award at the 2024 Penn Bioengineering Graduate Research Symposium.

“I’m grateful to my Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Jennifer Cremins, for nominating me for this award and for her support — especially during the challenging moments that are part and parcel of everyday research.. I would also like to thank Dr. Yale Cohen, my thesis committee chair, for his support and encouragement over the years, and Dr. Erin Berlew, whom I had the pleasure of TAing for, for being a generous mentor and role model in teaching. Their support played a meaningful role in both my academic and professional growth at Penn.”

Harshini now works as a Bioinformatics Scientist at the Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle.

David Gonzalez-Martinez: Revealing Drug Tolerance Pathways in Cancer

Dissertation Title: “Dissecting Mechanisms and Consequences of Oncogenic RTK Fusion Signaling”

David Gonzalez-Martinez began his academic journey at Florida State University, where he studied biochemistry. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida before joining the Bioengineering Ph.D. program at Penn

Under the mentorship of Dr. Lukasz Bugaj, he used synthetic biology, optogenetics, and live-cell imaging to explore how oncogenic RTK fusions drive aberrant signaling and evade cancer treatment. His research pinpointed key mechanisms underlying drug resistance and identified drug combinations that improve therapeutic response. His recent publication in Nature Communications highlights these findings.

“I would really like to thank the department for the recognition and Dr. Lukasz Bugaj, who has been a fantastic mentor throughout my Ph.D. as well as all of my lab mates who have been great friends and collaborators.”

David’s contributions provide crucial insights into the dynamic nature of cancer signaling and potential avenues for more effective treatments.

Kelsey Swingle: Targeting the Placenta to Treat Pre-eclampsia

Dissertation Title: “Engineering Placenta-Tropic VEGF mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Pre-eclampsia”

Kelsey Swingle earned her B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2020. As a Ph.D. student in the lab of Dr. Mike Mitchell, her research focused on developing new biomaterial strategies for targeted drug delivery to the placenta. Her dissertation work involved engineering VEGF mRNA lipid nanoparticles designed to home specifically to placental tissue, with the goal of treating pre-eclampsia—a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity for which no clinical treatments currently exist.

“I’m incredibly grateful to my advisor Dr. Mike Mitchell, everyone in the Mitchell Lab, my mentors, friends, and family for their support throughout my PhD. While my PhD was both a rewarding and challenging personal experience, I leaned on and learned from my support system every step of the way.”

Her studies demonstrated the therapeutic potential of this targeted approach in mouse models, offering promising insight into a long-standing challenge in maternal health. In July 2025, Kelsey will begin a faculty position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Pollack Award recipients exemplify the best of Penn Bioengineering: rigor, creativity, and a drive to improve human health. Through their diverse research, each has made significant contributions to science and society. We congratulate Nikolas, Harshini, David, and Kelsey on their achievements and look forward to seeing how they will continue to shape the future of bioengineering.

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Senior Design Awards Spotlight Part 3

2025 Team PRIME – Engineering a Smarter Response to Sepsis

From left to right: Sophie Gu; Shriya Boyapati; Sophie Klessel; McKenzie Davis; Majd Ayyad.

The final feature in the 2025 Senior Design Awards Spotlight highlights Team PRIME, who earned Second Place at the Minnesota Design of Medical Devices Competition. 

Team Members: Majd Ayyad, Shriya Boyapati, McKenzie Davis, Sophie Gu, Sophie Klessel

Senior design in Penn Bioengineering is a yearlong capstone experience in which bioengineering seniors identify an unmet bioengineering need, design a solution to address the need, and create a high quality prototype that demonstrates their design. The course consists of BE4950 and BE4960, and was most recently taught by Dr. Erin Berlew, Dr. David Meaney, and Dr. Michael Siedlik.

For Team PRIME, the mission was clear: create a tool that could help detect sepsis earlier—when timing can mean the difference between life and death. Their project centers around a device that automatically measures capillary refill time, a simple but powerful indicator of blood perfusion and circulation quality. By providing continuous, automated monitoring, PRIME aims to improve clinical decision-making in intensive care units and emergency settings.

PRIME as an idea; the first prototype of PRIME with all the wires.

The team’s inspiration came from their clinical mentor, Dr. John Greenwood, whose passion for improving sepsis detection was contagious.

Sophie Klessel shared, “We had a great clinical mentor (Dr. John Greenwood) who was really passionate about creating a device for earlier detection of sepsis, and we knew we wanted to work with him. Additionally, sepsis was an issue that resonated with our group and an issue that we were excited about.”

Team PRIME approached the work with a strong sense of collaboration, blending individual strengths across software, hardware, and systems integration. One member led the development of the user interface and application logic, while another focused on designing and assembling the physical and electrical components.

Working on PRIME revealed to the team just how demanding and rewarding bioengineering can be.

“Bioengineers need to understand it all from interviewing clinicians for needs findings, to studying the physiology of the human body, to designing all the technical components including hardware and software and finally towards producing a medical device. It is such a difficult job to be all the engineers at once but the final results are rewarding!” Majd Ayyad explained. 

As the project concluded, their work was already gaining traction. Dr.  Michael Siedlik, one of the bioengineering senior design instructors, shares, “This technology could greatly surpass the current standard of care, as it provides much needed automation, reproducibility, and clinician-free measurements in hectic medical environments where quick and reliable measurements are critical for preventing the negative outcomes of sepsis.”

PRIME device.

PRIME earned Second Place at the Minnesota Design of Medical Devices Competition, a national recognition of the team’s thoughtful engineering and strong clinical relevance. Development of the device will continue in partnership with their clinical mentor—bringing them one step closer to impacting real patient care.

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Senior Design Awards Spotlight Part 2

2025 Team Prism Optics – Bringing Vision Care Within Reach

Photo Credit: Penn Engineering
From left to right: Lyle Brunhofer, Senior Design Project Competition Chairman; Dr. Robert Ghrist, Andrea Mitchell University Professor; Daniel Botros; Fady Fahmy; Daniel Serebrinic Jacobsohn; Danish Mahmood; and Aarush Sahni.

In Part 2 of the 2025 Senior Design Awards Spotlight, we turn to Team Prism Optics, winners of the Leadership Prize at Penn Engineering’s Senior Design Competition.

Team Members: Daniel Botros, Fady Fahmy, Daniel Jacobsohn Serebrinic, Danish Mahmood, Aarush Sahni

Senior design in Penn Bioengineering is a yearlong capstone experience in which bioengineering seniors identify an unmet bioengineering need, design a solution to address the need, and create a high quality prototype that demonstrates their design. The course consists of BE4950 and BE4960, and was most recently taught by Dr. Erin Berlew, Dr. David Meaney, and Dr. Michael Siedlik.

Across the globe, more than a billion people lack access to basic vision care, often simply because there aren’t enough optometrists to perform eye exams (Staff, One billion have preventable vision impairment 2019). Team Prism Optics took on this challenge by building a device that automates the process of determining an eyeglass prescription, offering a low-cost, portable solution that can be used without the need for a trained clinician.

The result is a self-administered vision screening platform that mimics the clinical process of subjective refraction. A user looks through a lens system and responds to a tumbling E eye chart using a joystick, indicating the direction of the letter. This interface, designed to be intuitive for users regardless of literacy, language, or age, was a major innovation in the team’s design. As Danish Mahmood explained, “Realizing the joystick input to indicate the direction of the tumbling E’s is functional for illiterate, non native English speaking, young and old people was our biggest logistical challenge.”

Danish Mahmood is using Prismatic to find his eye prescription by looking through the viewport of the device at a tumbling E’s eye chart located 20 ft away. He uses a joystick to input the direction of the E on the eye chart in response to audio feedback from the device.

The device was designed and built through a deeply collaborative process. Mahmood developed the control software and mechanical precision of the lens adjustment system, while Fady Fahmy handled the acrylic housing and gears. Aarush Sahni envisioned the LCD interface and helped lead algorithm development alongside Daniel Jacobsohn Serebrinic and Daniel Botros, working closely with clinical mentors at Penn Medicine. The system is already being tested with classmates and is set to begin clinical trials with patients this summer.

Throughout the process, the team remained focused on their goal: to make vision care accessible in underserved communities. Their mentor noted that clinical trials beginning just months after graduation are almost unheard of for senior design teams—underscoring just how effectively Prism Optics aligned their design to a global need.

Dr. Michael Siedlik,  one of the bioengineering senior design instructors,  highlighted just how exceptional this trajectory is for a student team:

“Not many senior design teams are able to start clinical trials a few months after graduation… This is a testament to their ability to identify a bioengineering need that is very well suited to their expertise and to the resources available to them, as well as their ability to execute at a high level as a team.”

“We have prototyped a working self-administered eye exam that mimics the process of subjective refraction with an automated device… Our next step is to ensure many patients can use it successfully and achieve accurate results,” Mahmood shared. 

Team Prism Optics earned the Leadership Prize at Penn Engineering’s 2025 Senior Design Competition, a recognition of both their technical achievement and their clear path to real-world deployment.

References:
Staff, RO. (2019, October 8). One billion have preventable vision impairment. Review of Optometry. https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/one-billion-have-preventable-vision-impairment