Graduate Positions
Autumn ‘23 Funded Graduate Student Research Opportunities in BME
The following faculty of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University are recruiting graduate students. All graduate research associateship (GRA) positions described below are contingent on Biomedical Engineering Graduate Studies Committee admission of a completed graduate program application. Please contact faculty directly for details and visit go.osu.edu/applybme for more information about the BME graduate program and how to apply.
Contact: conway.362@osu.edu | Conway Lab Website
Research Focus: Cellular Mechanobiology
Seeking 1-2 students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering for multiple projects related to mechanical forces at cell-cell adhesions and also the nucleus. Projects include development and application of FRET-force biosensors to study mechanical forces within cells, as well as understanding how cellular forces regulate mechanical stability of multicellular tissues. Previous experience with cell culture, microscopy preferred but not required.
Christopher Fang-Yen, PhD, Professor
Contact: fang-yen.1@osu.edu | Fang-Yen Lab Website (to OSU in SP23)
Research Focus: Neurobiology, C. elegans, imaging, technique development
Seeking 2 students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. Our laboratory investigates how neural circuits create behavior, using the microscopic roundworm C. elegans as a model. Potential projects include the following: (1) Optogenetic, imaging, and behavioral analysis of the C. elegans locomotor or feeding circuits. (2) Robotic technologies for automated genetic analysis in C. elegans. (3) Designing a high-throughput drug screening platform for dopamine-dependent phenotypes in C. elegans. Strong fine motor skills and computer programming experience are required.
Daniel Gallego-Perez, PhD, Assoc Professor
Contact: gallegoperez.1@osu.edu | Gellego-Perez Lab Website
Research Focus: Micro and nanoscale technologies, non-viral gene delivery, cell therapies, regenerative medicine, cancer
Seeking 3 students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. Multiple projects involve the development and implementation of non-viral gene and cell therapies based on nanotechnology, for applications in regenerative medicine (e.g., peripheral nerve injury, brain injury, diabetes) and cancer. Background in cell culture, molecular analyses, materials science, micro- and nanoscale technologies preferred.
Natalia Higuita-Castro, PhD, Asst Professor
Contact: higuitacastro.1@osu.edu | Higuita-Castro Lab Website
Research Focus: Nanomedicine and Extracellular Vesicle (EV)-based nanocarriers for therapeutic applications, including cancer, back pain, and lung injury
Seeking 2 students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering interested in developing novel EV-based nanocarriers for cancer and back pain applications. Background in cell culture, molecular analyses, materials science, micro- and nanoscale technologies preferred.
Jun Liu, PhD, Professor & Director, Graduate Studies
Contact: Liu.314@osu.edu
Research Focus: High-resolution ultrasound imaging and elastography for the eye
Seeking 1 student pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to work on in vivo and ex vivo 3D ultrasound imaging and elastography of the human eye. The student will collect data from patients and tissue samples; develop image/data analysis algorithms; assist in manuscripts and grant presentations; and present research at conferences. Proficiency with MATLAB is desired. Background in solid mechanics, ultrasound instrumentation and data analysis is a plus. Students should be self-motivated, have strong problem-solving skills, and work well both independently and collaboratively.
Sara McBride-Gagyi, PhD, Asst Professor
Contact: McBride-Gagyi.1@osu.edu
Research Focus: Orthopaedics, bone biology, biomechanics, development, repair.
Seeking 1-2 students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to elucidate the biological mechanisms that drive graft remodeling and bone reconstruction using Masquelet’s Induced Membrane Technique (MIMT), a two staged surgical procedure used to regenerate large amounts of bone (>5cm). Our current goal is to determine what cell populations and cellular processes may be directly or indirectly responsible for successful healing. Long-term we plan to use this biological information to develop diagnostic tools and tissue engineered products to not only improve patient outcomes but also to positively augment other bone formation processes (e.g. bone fusions, fracture non-unions, joint replacement integration). BS in Biomedical Engineering (or closely related engineering field with medical or biological research experience) preferred, plus desired experience in small animal surgery, histology, MicroCT, mechanical testing, image processing, CAD, 3D printing, Cell culture, qPCR, RNAseq data analysis.
Matt Reilly, PhD, Assoc Professor
Contact: reilly.196@osu.edu | Reilly Lab Website
Research Focus: Ocular Biomechanics
Seeking 2 students pursuing an MS or PhD in Biomedical Engineering to work on projects elucidating the biomechanical mechanisms of age- and trauma-related vision loss. Background in engineering, biology, biochemistry, or related fields desired.
Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, PhD, Asst Professor
Contact: reilly.198@osu.edu | Swindle-Reilly Lab Website
Research Focus: Design of polymers for tissue repair and drug delivery with applications in ophthalmology and wound healing
Seeking 1 student pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to work on projects including injectable hydrogel biomimetic tissue replacements for vitreoretinal surgery; hydrogel drug delivery system for optic neuropathy; modification of implants to prevent fibrosis after cataract surgery; bioprinted cornea for transplantation and wound healing; and drug delivery for ocular diseases, women’s health, cancer, and wound healing.
Rengasayee (Sai) Veeraraghavan, PhD, Assoc Professor
Contact: veeraraghavan.12@osu.edu | Veeraraghavan Lab Website
Research Focus: Mechanisms and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, super-resolution microscopy, computational image analysis
Seeking 2 or more students pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. Multiple projects are available with choice based on individual student’s aptitude. Familiarity with cardiac physiology, confocal microscopy, and/or computer programming (MATLAB) preferred but not required.
The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other bases under the law.