1003 (Tong Auditorium) Engineering Centers Building

Biomechanics of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Jessica Wagenseil, DScProfessor, Mechanical Engineering and Materials ScienceVice Dean for Faculty AdvancementMcKelvey School of EngineeringWashington University Abstract:Thoracic aortic aneurysms are a dilation of the aortic wall that can be asymptomatic for many years until they dissect or rupture. Dissection or rupture is associated with a high mortality rate. Surgical replacement...

Analyzing Brain-Wide Function Using New Molecular Imaging Tools Alan Jasanoff, PhDProfessor of Biological Engineering and Brain and Cognitive SciencesMassachusetts Institute of Technology Abstract:Behavior and cognition depend on the integrated action of neural structures and populations distributed throughout the brain. Deciphering mechanisms by which this takes this place is both a tremendous scientific problem and a...

Nanotransfection-driven gene and cell therapies Daniel Gallego-Perez, PhDEdgar C. Hendrickson Chair in Biomedical EngineeringProfessor, Surgery GeneralThe Ohio State University Abstract:Gene and engineered cell therapies hold transformative potential for treating a wide range of conditions. However, current approaches face significant practical and translational challenges, including a heavy reliance on viral vectors and high variability, which often...

The Death and Re-Birth of the Intervertebral Disc Cell Lori A. Setton, PhDLopata Distinguished Professor and Chair of Biomedical EngineeringMcKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis Corrine Bahr Memorial Lecture Abstract:Intervertebral disc disorders are among the greatest contributors to pain and disability annually, such that low back pain and neck pain are ranked...

Mapping cellular responses to perturbations with dynamic computational imaging and AI Shalin Mehta, PhDPlatform LeaderComputational MicroscopyChan Zuckerberg Biohub co-sponsors: Morgridge Institute for Research and the Center for Quantitative Cellular Imaging Abstract:Discovery of biological mechanisms, drugs, and therapeutics is being accelerated by image-based profiling of cellular responses to perturbations. In this seminar, I will discuss our...

Artificial intelligence for state-of-the-art gene therapy Jacob Witten, PhDPostdoctoral FellowAnderson LabMassachusetts Institute of Technology Abstract:Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for RNA delivery have exploded onto the biomedical research scene with the success of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. In addition to their promise as mRNA vaccines for infectious disease and cancer, LNPs have the potential to treat or...

Metabolic Adaptations of Drug-Tolerant Persister Cells Mehmet A Orman, PhDAssociate ProfessorChemical and Biomolecular Engineering DepartmentUniversity of Houston Abstract:My research focuses on understanding drug-tolerant phenotypes, particularly persister cells, in both prokaryotic...

Harnessing Geometry and Topology in Machine Learning for Biomedical Discovery Dhananjay Bhaskar, PhDPostdoctoral Researcher, Yale UniversityYale - Boehringer Ingelheim FellowKavli Institute for Neuroscience FellowVisiting Scholar in Engineering, Brown University Abstract:Understanding the shape of data through geometry and topology offers a powerful perspective with the potential to drive breakthroughs in biomedical science and engineering. This talk...

Bridging Molecular and Functional Understandings of Cells with Artificial Intelligence Yichun HePhD Candidate, Harvard UniversitySchool of Engineering and Applied SciencesThe Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Abstract:The mammalian brain exhibits complex functions and behaviors, driven by diverse cell types distributed throughout its tissue. However, understanding the heterogeneity of cell types and neuronal functions across the...