"I am leveraging my experience in biomaterial design and synthesis to fabricate novel hydrogel tissue expanders that promote symmetrical facial development in children born with congenital microphthalmia. My research interests also include exploring the role of inflammation on the vascularization and integration of implanted biomaterials for tissue regeneration. When I’m not in lab, I enjoy cooking, visiting new cities and national parks, and expanding my growing rare succulent collection."

"I am highly motivated and passionate about developing functional bioengineered materials and therapeutic treatments for unmet clinical needs. My research focuses on bio-inspired materials for tissue/organ reconstruction to overcome the limitations of organ scarcity and improve the morbidity and mortality of patients. Moreover, I am interested in transferring my research into startup/industry which will make our solution available in the market to improve patients’ quality of life. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hanging with my dog, hiking, camping, scuba diving, paragliding, swimming, running, playing board games, and hanging out with my friends."

"My research focuses on leveraging decellularized cartilage scaffolds as a template for bone engineering. I am also working on a new exciting project harnessing the microbiome as a tool to drive tissue repair, pioneering microbiome-mediate regnerative engineering."

"For my research, I focus on using micro-physiological systems to 1) develop engineered osteochondral constructs for in vivo repair and 2) model multi-tissue musculoskeletal diseases in vitro to further 3R (Replace, Reduce, Refine animal research) approaches in our lab. In my free time, I enjoy baking, drawing, and hanging with my pets!"

"My research focuses on 1) understanding the role of the microbiome in driving subglottic stenosis in pediatric patients and 2) engineering novel controlled delivery systems to locally administer antimicrobial peptides as a preventative therapy. Outside of lab, I spend most of my free time with my dog, exploring historic Philadelphia, and the amazing Philly food scene with my fiancée and with friends."

"In this first part of my PhD, I am probing pathways related to environmental factors that influence stem cell differentiation, specifically towards chondrogenesis for cartilage engineering. Outside of lab, I am a very patient Philadelphian biker who likes to bike to different scenic places around the city. Other things I like include tennis, credit card rewards, and karaoke."

"My research focuses on 1) understanding the cross talk between the immune system, extracellular matrix proteins and fibroblasts in vocal fold fibrosis and 2) engineering next-generation drug delivery systems to treat this disorder. Outside of lab, I spend most of my free time being a disappointed Philadelphia sports fan, playing pick-up basketball, or playing guitar!"

"My research focuses on 1) understanding the chondrogenic pro-regenerative capacity of ECM scaffolds in the presence of mesenchymal stem cells and 2) engineering tissue-based strategies to repair degenerated articular cartilage in the temporomandibular joint. Outside of lab, I like to spend time with my family, cook, crochet, visit new breweries, and relax at the beach.”

"During my 9-months as a visiting researcher, my activities will focus on the study of drug toxicity and organ-specific toxicity induced by selected FDA-approved anticancer drugs on embryonated chicken eggs to define the conditions for drug testing in realistic microtumor platforms. Outside of the lab, I enjoy exploring Philadelphia, experiencing its culture, people and, of course, food as any true Italian girl.”

"I am a visiting PhD student from the University of Genoa and in the Gottardi lab for a 7-month period of research focused on bone tissue engineering. My goal is to assess the osteogenic potential of different cell types and their ability to differentiate in a 3D scaffold obtained from decellularized porcine meniscus. When not in lab, I am very active, I love hiking and travelling, but I also enjoy reading during rainy days.”

"My research is aimed at streamlining biomaterial tissue scaffolds to help heal chronic tympanic membrane perforations in the pediatric patient population. In my free time I enjoy attending concerts, critiquing films, and visiting national landmarks with friends.”

"My research focuses on 1) understanding the mechanisms of fibrotic scarring in the vocal folds by studying the effects of extracellular matrix proteins on the differentiation of myofibroblasts and 2) engineering drug delivery systems to effectively target the vocal fold repair. Outside of lab, I enjoy reading, traveling to remote locations, learning new languages, and figure-skating."