Graduate Positions
Autumn ‘24 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.
Ocular Research
Matthew Reilly, PhD
Ocular Aging and Trauma Laboratory
Research Focus: Ocular biomechanics
Open GRA positions: 1
Project Description: Our lab is recruiting students to work on multiple projects related to modeling cardiac physiology, including Monte Carlo modeling of ion channels, finite-element models of cardiac tissue structure, and machine learning-based methods of model parameter estimation. Work on these projects will include working closely with experimental collaborators to integrate and model data from multiple sources, including superresolution microscopy, electrophysiology, and imaging.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Comfortable with coding / programming (MATLAB preferred but not required), interest in computational modeling (but no experience required), patience
Contact: reilly.196@osu.edu
Jun Liu, PhD
Liu Lab for Ocular Imaging and Biomechanics
Research Focus: Ocular imaging and biomechanics
Open GRA positions: 1
Project Description: We are recruiting motivated students to work on innovative ultrasound imaging and elastography methods that aim to better diagnose and treat ocular diseases. Students will work closely with the PI to develop new methods for imaging and quantifying biomechanics of the eye in human patients. They will also have opportunities to collaborate with Ophthalmology specialists to translate the techniques to the clinical setting.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Self-motivated students with good communication skills; ability to work both independently and collaboratively; proficiency with MatLab programming; good understanding of signals, biomechanics, and human physiology; experiences with ultrasound imaging and elastography is a plus but not required.
Contact: Liu.314@osu.edu
Cardiopulmonary Research
Seth Weinberg, PhD
Computational Physiology Lab
Research Focus: Computational modeling of physiological systems
Open GRA positions: 1-2
Project Description: Our lab is recruiting students to work on multiple projects related to modeling cardiac physiology, including Monte Carlo modeling of ion channels, finite-element models of cardiac tissue structure, and machine learning-based methods of model parameter estimation. Work on these projects will include working closely with experimental collaborators to integrate and model data from multiple sources, including superresolution microscopy, electrophysiology, and imaging.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Comfortable with coding / programming (MATLAB preferred but not required), interest in computational modeling (but no experience required), patience.
Contact: weinberg.147@osu.edu
Rengasayee (Sai) Veeraraghavan, PhD
Nanocardiology Lab
Research Focus: Cardiac electrophysiology, neuroscience, Arrhythmia mechanisms, super resolution microscopy
Open GRA positions: 1-3
Project Description: We are working to understand how protein nanomachines – structures 10,000 times smaller than the width of human hair – contribute to the spread of electrical signals through the heart. The goal of this research is to develop novel treatments to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). While cardiac research is our primary passion, we also have multiple projects extending our insights about cell-cell communication to understand the workings of the brain and cancer cells.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Seeking passionate and curious students, preferably with prior experience in scientific research. Experience with life science research, cardiology and/or light microscopy is desirable but not required.
Contact: veeraraghavan.12@osu.edu
Rizwan Ahmad, PhD
CMR Lab
Research Focus: Cardiovascular imaging
Open GRA positions: 1
Project Description: Develop and apply signal processing and deep learning techniques for cardiac image analysis
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Some background in signal processing, deep learning, programming and medical imaging. Interest in designing and conducting MRI experiments. Capacity to work well in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with other researchers and clinicians
Contact: ahmad.46@osu.edu
Neuro Research
Chris Fang-Yen, PhD
Fang-Yen Laboratory
Research Focus: Neuroscience, imaging, robotics
Open GRA Positions: 2
Project Description: Our laboratory uses the roundworm C. elegans to address questions in neurobiology, behavior, and aging. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating tools from biology, physics, engineering, and computation. We have several ongoing projects in the area of neurobiology, robotics, genetic screening, and pharmacological screening.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Some programming experience is preferred.
Contact: fang-yen.1@osu.edu
Cancer Research
Jessica Winter, PhD
Biological and Applied Nanotechnology Laboratory
Research Focus: Imaging, drug delivery, brain tumor microenvironment
Open GRA Positions: 1MS, 1PhD
Project Description: Projects include polymer-inorganic nanoparticle composites, nanomanufacturing, pathology, nanoparticle delivery systems, nanoparticle-DNA machines and robots, in vitro cancer models, and cell adhesion and migration
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Experience with cell culture.
Contact: Winter.63@osu.edu
Aleksander Skardal, PhD
Biofabrication Laboratory
Research Focus: Disease modeling, drug screening
Open GRA Positions: 1 PhD
Project Description: Projects utilize bioengineered hydrogel biomaterials to biofabricate tissue and tumor organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, and tumor-on-a-chip systems, deployed for modeling disease (in particular, various types of cancer) and for performing drug and immunotherapy screening studies in human-based models as an alternative to animal testing. Main areas of focus are 1) a metastatis-on-a-chip platform modeling tumor cell metastasis to downstream tissues in vitro; 2) a glioblastoma and blood-brain barrier-on-a-chip platform to model glioblastoma progression and response to existing and novel therapeutics; 3) tumor-on-a-chip platforms in several cancers for developing and evaluating experimental immunotherapies.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: General research experience; experience with cell/tissue culture or biomaterials preferred.
Contact: Skardal.1@osu.edu
Musculoskeletal Research
Devina Purmessur (Walter), PhD
Spinal Therapeutics Laboratory
Research Focus: Spinal joint disorders, orthopaedics, Discogenic back pain, engineering non-viral gene therapies
Open GRA Positions: 2-3
Project Description: The goal of the first project is to validate the efficacy and safety of gene therapies in human in vitro cell culture models, small animal models or large animal models in collaboration with colleagues in BME, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. The second project is focused on biological and mechanical cross-talk within the spinal joint, specifically the endplate, and using human cell based models to study paracrine and mechanotransduction signaling with Omics level assessments.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: A background in BME/Bioengineering with a strong passion for research and improving human health. Experience with molecular and cellular based assays, cell imaging, cell/tissue culture or handling small animals is desired but not required.
Contact: purmessurwalter.1@osu.edu
Cell Based Therapies/Wound Healing Research
Daniel Conway, PhD
Conway Cellular Biomechanics Lab
Research Focus: Cellular biomechanics, mechanobiology, biosensors
Open GRA Positions: 1
Project description: Available projects include mechanobiology of epithelial cells and tissues, as well as cardiomyocyte biomechanics.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Experience with cell culture, 3D organoid culture, and experience with light or fluorescence microscopy.
Contact: conway.362@osu.edu
Heather Powell, PhD
Powell Lab
Research Focus: Skin Engineering, biomaterials, Laser processing of tissues, prosthetic/skin interface, dermatological diseases
Open GRA Positions: 3
Project Description: Our lab studies skin specifically, thus we are interested in developing technologies that can help heal large burn injuries (pediatric and adults), reduce scarring post injury and improve the quality of life for these patients. We also work on bone regeneration to replace diseased or damaged limbs.
Desired Skills & Qualifications: Prior experience with cell culture and biological assays is helpful
Contact: Powell.299@osu.edu
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.