Swindle-Reilly Lab for Biomimetic Polymeric Biomaterials
FUNDING
We would like to acknowledge current funding from these sources:
National Science Foundation
High Accuracy Image Reconstruction Using Microwave Measurements from Bio-Matched Antennas and Deep Learning: A Synthesized X-ray Computed Tomography Approach (Kiourti)
Department of Defense
Vision Research Program
Predictive Drug Release from a Tunable Injectable Capsule
Therapeutic Screening for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (M. Reilly)
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Sustained Therapeutic Protein Cocktail Delivery to Prevent Vision Loss After Ocular Trauma
National Eye Institute
The impact of age-related vitreous degeneration and vitreous replacement on scleral biomechanics: a novel mechanism and treatment target for glaucoma (Bianco)
First Aid Medicine to Treat Vesicant-Induced Corneal Injury (Chandler)
Lens epithelial cell response to biomaterial interfaces
Owen Locke Foundation
Tunable Extended-Release Capsule for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TERC-AMD)
NEWS
Receiving $1.2 million Grant from the Department of Defense
Associate Professor Katelyn Swindle-Reilly leads a multidisciplinary team that received a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Defense to develop a sustained therapeutic protein cocktail and drug delivery system to prevent vision loss after a traumatic eye injury. The research team includes co-principal investigatos Andre Palmer, prrofessor and associate dean for research in the College of Engineering; Matthew Reilly, PhD, associate professor of biomedical engineering; Shigeo Tamiya, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences; Lianbo Yu, associate professor – clinical of biomedical informatics; and Julie Racine, director of the Visual Electrophysiology Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Colleen Cebulla, professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, is a collaborator.
For Full News see: Ohio State researchers set sights on preventing trauma-induced vision loss | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (osu.edu)
Dr. Reilly got Recognized in Annual Distinguished Faculty Awards
Each year The Ohio State University College of Engineering honors excellence in teaching, innovation and service during the annual Distinguished Faculty Awards. This year's award ceremony held on April 28, 2023, highlighted numerous BME faculty, with eight wins. Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, Department of Biomedical Engineering - got recognized for pursuing innovation and entrepreneurial activity in research, teaching and outreach, and for emerging as a leader in developing ocular biomaterials and drug delivery systems. The Buckeye Engineering Women in Executive Leadership (BEWEL) award was created in 2019 and is presented to a junior or mid-career female faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in research, innovation and/or scholarship.
For Full News see: BME faculty recognized at 2023 Distinguished Faculty Awards | Biomedical Engineering (osu.edu)
Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
Dr. Katelyn Swindle-Reilly has been awarded promotion to the associate professor with tenure. Here is the news: 7 BME faculty promotions! | Biomedical Engineering (osu.edu)
New NEI R21 Award
Katelyn Swindle-Reilly got a new collaborative NEI R21 award with Gianfranco Bianco, and Christopher Girkin. This proposal will test a novel hypothesis regarding the biomechanical mechanism of age-related vision loss.
End of year Lab Party!
Congratulation to Raima Puri and Joshua Bopp for their graduation and receiving their degree! We had a very great year and we celebrated the end of year's success together!
Postdoc Scholar, Hamid Hamedi had a presentation at EHIRS
Posted: February 27, 2023
Our postdoc scholar, Hamid Hamedi had a presentation at EHIRS about " Lens epithelial cell response to polymer mechanical properties" at OSU biomedical engineering department.
Cataract is the loss of lens transparency due to opacification of the lens. Surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation are a very effective technique to treat cataract. However, after cataract surgery, a significant proportion of cataract patients experience an apparent recurrence of their cataract. Lens epithelial cells (LEC) undergo mesenchymal transformation (epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)) and became fibrotic during posterior capsule opacification (PCO). The effects of polymer stiffness on EMT in LECs was evaluated in this study. These results could lead us to redesign IOLs to prevent posterior capsule opacification.
Undergraduate student, Raima Puri received 1st Place in Undergraduate Presentation
Posted: February 16, 2023
Congratulations to Raima Puri for receiving 1st Place Undergraduate Presentation at the 2023 NSF Research Experience and Mentoring Meeting! She is doing her honors research thesis in our lab on polymers to investigate and hopefully prevent posterior capsule opacification.
New Publication in Current Eye Research
Posted: February 7, 2023
Our new paper entitled "The Roles of Vitreous Biomechanics in Ocular Disease, Biomolecule Transport, and Pharmacokinetics" in collaboration with Matthew Reilly, PhD in Current Eye Research Journal was published. Congrats to the authors on this accomplishment! (Luo RH, Tram NK, Parekh AM, Puri R,)
First Engineering Education Publication
Posted: January 27, 2023
Our first engineering education paper entitled" Designing a Biomedical Engineering Course to Develop Entrepreneurial Mindset in Students" was published in Biomedical Engineering Education. Many thanks to first author @meagan_el.
Funding from Ohio State UnEYEted Collaborative Funding Initiative
Posted: January 1, 2023
We are excited to begin collaboration with MPI Heather L. Chandler, Ph.D., Matthew Reilly, PhD and Shigeo Tamiya, PhD on recent fund from Ohio State UnEYEted Collaborative Funding Initiative for working on “Role of stretch activated channels in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the cornea and lens”- $4,000 (01/01/23-12/31/23)
New Publication in Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Posted: December 25, 2022
Our new paper in Collaboration with Aleksander Skardal, Ph.D., Rengasayee Veeraraghavan, Ph.D., and Monica Venere, Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal was published. Other contributing authors include undergraduate and graduate students, Jingru Che, Thomas J. DePalma, Hemamylammal Sivakumar, Louisa S. Mezache, Miranda M. Tallman.
Dr. Swindle-Reilly named Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator
Posted: December 1, 2022
Katelyn Swindle-Reilly was named Emerging Investigator by the journal Biomaterials Science. Dr. Swindle-Reilly’s research focuses on the design of polymeric biomaterials for soft tissue repair and drug delivery with focused applications in ophthalmology. Her interdisciplinary work exploring new protein therapeutics and their delivery via polydopamine nanoparticles appeared in the November 28, 2022, issue of the Biomaterials Science journal. Megan Allyn, a doctoral student who is co-advised by Swindle-Reilly and Ohio Eminent Scholar and Professor Andre Palmer, did the work that appeared in the publication. For full article click here
New Publication in Biomaterial Science
Posted: November 10, 2022
Our new paper entitled "Sustained release of heme–albumin as a potential novel therapeutic approach for age-related macular degeneration" in Biomaterial Science Journal was published. Congrats to @MeganAllyn2 (first author) and thanks to our collaborators Heather L. Chandler, Ph.D., Natalia Higuita Castro, Ph.D., and Andre Palmer, Ph.D.
Our Lab at BMES Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX– hosted a panel and presented a poster
Posted: October 2022
Dr. Swindle-Reilly KE. hosted a panel at BMES Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, and had a presentation about "Engineering Ocular Polymeric Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems".
We also had a poster entitled " Therapeutic Delivery from Tunable Hydrogels for Ocular Injuries". Thanks to our collaborators Heather L. Chandler, Ph.D. and Matthew Reilly, PhD and congrats to the authors Maxwell CJ, Hellwarth EB, Soltisz AM, and Rich WW.
Funding from DOD Vision Research Program
Posted: September 2022
We are excited for starting a new funded project from DOD Vision Research Program on" Therapeutic Screening for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy” with PI: Matthew Reilly, PhD, – $389,926 (09/01/22-08/31/24)
Funding from Owen Locke Foundation
Posted: September 2022
We are thrilled to begin a new funded project about “Tunable Extended-Release Capsule for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TERC-AMD)” from Owen Locke Foundation with our collaborators: Nagaraj Kerur, PhD, E. Miller, and Matthew Ohr, MD – $150,000 (08/01/22-01/31/24)
Funding from CMEI
Posted: September 19, 2022
We are excited to begin collaboration with PI T.J. Plageman in Optometry on the recently funded Ohio State Center for Medical and Engineering Innovation (CMEI) grant “Optimization of a Novel Technique to Bioengineer Lens Organoids.”
Summer Kudos and Welcome to New Students!
Posted: September 19, 2022
This summer, Dr. Swindle-Reilly mentored two students through the SEED program: Mia Jeter and Raima Puri. She also had a summer student Tyler Adkins through the Buckeye REU program. BME undergrads Vedshree Deshmukh and Spencer Green also joined the lab.
The lab recently welcomed our first postdoc, Hamid Hamedi. He has an excellent background in biomaterials, drug delivery, and wound healing, and has hit the ground running.
Kat Sikiric was accepted into the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering and is being co-advised by Dr. Swindle-Reilly.
Dr. Swindle-Reilly competed in Equalize 2022. She also received the Young Investigator Award from the Controlled Release Society Ocular Delivery Focus Group. Ph.D. student Megan Allyn did an excellent job presenting research and accepting the award in Montreal!
New Publication in J Biomed Mater Res A!
Posted: May 24, 2022
Our DOD-funded collaborative work with Matthew Reilly, PhD on a new potential treatment for traumatic optic neuropathy was published in Journal of Biomedical Materials Research A. Congrats to first author and lab alum Courtney Maxwell on this accomplishment! Other contributing authors include undergraduate and graduate students Andrew Choi, Wade Rich, and Andy Soltisz.
Swindle-Reilly Lab Celebrates 2021-2022 Successes
Posted: May 16, 2022
The Swindle-Reilly lab had 2 MS and 2 BS students graduate Spring 2022.
Elle Hellwarth graduated with a MS in BME and was co-author on 1 publication.
Richard Luo graduated with a MS in BME, and had 1 conference presentation, 1 first author publication, and 1 co-authored publication.
Emma McLaughlin graduated with a BS in BIOE and won the Outstanding Positional Leader by Student Life for her work with SWE.
Ankur Parekh graduated with a BS in CBE, was co-author on 1 publication, and won CBE Outstanding Undergraduate Award for Research Excellence.
Current PhD student Megan Allyn received the Prevent Blindness Young Investigator Student Fellowship Award and was lead author on 1 publication.
Current PhD student Peter Jansen received the NSF GRFP.
Current undergraduate student Joshua Bopp watched his first vitrectomy and got engaged.
Current undergraduate student Raima Puri got into the SEED summer program and was co-author on 1 publication.
Dr. Swindle-Reilly was named an Emerging Vision Scientist by NAEVR, presenter for Equalize 2022, selected for Ohio IP Promise PITCH X, and was named an Early Career Innovator of the Year and received the COE Innovators Award at Ohio State.
In funding news, the lab received external funding from NIH and DOD and two internal grants from OSU this year.
Lab Receives Funding
Posted: January 19, 2022
The lab was awarded a R21 from NEI at NIH to investigate "Lens epithelial cell response to biomaterial interfaces." This grant includes co-Is Heather Chandler and Derek Hansford.
The lab was also awarded the UnEYEted Collaborative Funding Initiative with colleagues Heather Chandler from Optometry and Colleen Cebulla and Shigeo Tamiya from Ophthalmology.
Dr. Swindle-Reilly Selected for Pitch X
Posted: December 9, 2021
Dr. Swindle-Reilly was one of nine speakers selected for Ohio I.P. Promise. Her selection was based on translational research making its way out of an academic laboratory.
Dr. Swindle-Reilly's video: YouTube Link
AEVR Conversation with Emerging Vision Scientists
Posted: September 21, 2021
AEVR had a conversation with 28 early-stage vision scientists about how they have applied lessons learned from COVID-19 laboratory closures to their future research and career pathway. In addition, each of the Emerging Vision Scientists (EVS) had personal videos about their breakthrough eye and vision research that addresses the question, “How will this research delay, reduce, and prevent the $717 billion annual cost of eye disease and vision impairment projected by year 2050?”
https://cbe.osu.edu/news/2021/09/swindle-reilly-participates-congression...
Advocacy Event: https://www.arvo.org/advocacy/events/NAEVR-AEVR-virtual-events/
Dr. Swindle-Reilly's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDB-mK_DJs&list=PLl2tt50y5JnG8n55YIzusn...
Dr. Swindle-Reilly Elected Communications Chair of OcD at CRS
Posted: September 21, 2021
Dr. Swindle-Reilly was elected Communications Chair of the Ocular Delivery Focus Group (OcD) at Controlled Release Society (CRS). She will serve a two year term. She is excited to join these leaders in ocular drug delivery and help disseminate their work.
https://www.controlledreleasesociety.org/focus-groups/ocular-delivery-ocd
https://bme.osu.edu/news/2021/09/swindle-reilly-elected-communications-c...
Farewell to Courtney!
Posted: September 1, 2021
Research Assistant Courtney Maxwell had her last day with the Swindle-Reilly lab on Friday after 2 years of service. She did an excellent job managing the lab while Dr. Swindle-Reilly was on leave and even managed to coordinate moving our lab to the new building during a pandemic. Courtney worked on several research projects, but spent most of her time working on a treatment for traumatic optic neuropathy. We will miss you, Courtney. We wish you well in your future endeavors!
Presentation at Virtual Materials Week
Posted: August 21, 2021
On April 1, Dr. Swindle-Reilly and other researchers from Ohio State participated in “Biofabrication and Clinical 3D Printing at Ohio State.” This showcased activities across Ohio State in biofabrication, as well as new projects bringing 3D printing into a clinical setting at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine. Experts from many disciplines presented innovative biofabrication activities currently underway across Ohio State. Attendees were also guided through video tours of lab spaces in which some of these interdisciplinary research and developments take place. Edward D. Herderick, director of additive manufacturing at Ohio State’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence, and collaborator on a lab project, provided an overview of the field. Other presenters included Kyle Van Koevering, Aleks Skardal, Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, Dave Hoelzle, and David Dean.
More information can be found here: https://imr.osu.edu/2021-osu-materials-week/
The session can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VXKr1ibsQk&list=PLW2PMukeKnILFimk8GUM_9...
PhD Student Peter Jansen Wins NFB Scholarship
Posted: August 1, 2021
New BME PhD student Peter Jansen won a scholarship from the National Federation of the Blind. Peter is joining The Ohio State University Fall 2021 and will be co-advised by Drs. Katelyn Swindle-Reilly and Cynthia Roberts. He will work on bioprinting scaffolds for corneal repair. Congrats, Peter!
https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-announces-...
Lab Members Celebrated
Posted: July 26, 2021
The Swindle-Reilly Lab got together at a local park after over a year of virtual interaction only. We were cautious and had an outdoor picnic at a park. We did gather for a quick photo. Great to actually see and meet my students in person. Welcome to the PhD program, Peter!
Dr. Swindle-Reilly Chosen for 2021 Annual Emerging Vision Scientist program
Posted: June 29, 2021
Assistant Professor Katelyn Swindle-Reilly has been selected for participation in the 2021 Annual Emerging Vision Scientists (AEVR) program. In the AEVR program, early-stage investigators from departments of ophthalmology and schools/colleges of optometry nationwide exhibit results of their cutting-edge research and then advocate with Congressional delegations.
The Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), founded in 1993 by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), is an advocacy arm of the National Eye Institute within the National Institutes of Health.
Together with its affiliate, the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR), NAEVR and AEVR emphasize that National Eye Institute-funded research to save/restore vision has served to reduce healthcare costs, increase productivity, maintain independence, and improve the quality of life for all Americans.
Swindle-Reilly Lab Receives Funding
Posted: June 10, 2021
The Swindle-Reilly Lab was awarded funding through the OSU President’s Research Excellence (PRE) Accelerator Grant program. The lab was one of nineteen selected in this inaugural round. The project entitled “Local Antioxidant Release To Prevent Cataract After Vitrectomy” involves Co-PIs Colleen M. Cebulla, Heather L. Chandler, and Eric J. Miller. Congrats!
Congratulations to Spring 2021 Graduates!
Posted:
May 5, 2021
Two current and four former lab undergrads receive B.S. degrees in 2020-2021.
Andrew Choi - B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State, will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western. He has 1 peer-reviewed publication, another under review, and 1 conference abstract.
Joo Hun Lee - B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State, will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois.
Kane Jacobs - B.S. Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State, accepted a position with DuPont. Kane has 3 peer-reviewed publications and 6 conference abstracts, earning him the CBE Undergraduate Award for Patents and Publications.
Rayna McLean - B.S. Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State, has joined the R&D Leadership Development program at Sherwin-Williams. She has 1 peer-reviewed publication and 3 conference abstracts.
Marissa Ruzga - B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State, will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science at University of Maine. She has 1 peer-reviewed publication and 3 conference abstracts.
Tiara Torres-Flores - Former REU student is receiving a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, and will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at University of Illinois. She has 1 peer-reviewed publication and 3 conference abstracts.
Congrats to these impressive graduates! (Original lab photo from 2016 included for nostalgia - no live picture this year)
Dr. Swindle-Reilly Elected Chair of Ophthalmic Biomaterials SIG
Posted: May 5, 2021
Assistant Professor Katelyn Swindle-Reilly has been elected Chair of the Ophthalmic Biomaterials Special Interest Group (SIG) for the Society of Biomaterials, 2021-2023. This appointment supersedes her 2019 election to the position of Program Chair of the SIG. Now, she will lead the Ophthalmology Special Interest Group's activities on the development and biocompatibility testing of materials for the augmentation and replacement of diseased ocular tissues and the development and testing of drug delivery systems to the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
The Society for Biomaterials includes clinicians, researchers, and students from medical device manufacturers, academic research labs, and operating rooms across the country. Its annual meeting is an interdisciplinary gathering which serves as a critical pathway to identifying issues with current technologies, and for translating academic research to clinical practice.
The Ophthalmology Special Interest Group focuses on a number of areas, including wetting of surfaces; surface modification and protein adsorption of polymers used for refractive devices; transport through polymers, drug delivery systems and technologies; vitreous replacement fluids; retinal tamponades, and glaucoma drainage devices for the regulation of intraocular pressure.
https://cbe.osu.edu/news/2021/05/prof.-swindle-reilly-elected-chair-opht...
https://bme.osu.edu/news/2021/05/swindle-reilly-elected-elected-chair-op...
Kane wins Patents and Publishing Award
Posted: April 17, 2021
Former undergraduate student Kane Jacobs won the Undergraduate Award for Patents and Publishing from the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. As an undergraduate, Kane is a coauthor on 3 peer-reviewed publications:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=kane+jacobs&sort=date
Congrats, Kane, and thank you for all the hard work in our lab!
Megan Allyn Wins 2021 Prevent Blindness Research Fellowship Award
Posted: April 16, 2021
Congratulations to Megan Allyn on Receiving the 2021 Prevent Blindness Research Fellowship Award from the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindess! Megan is a PhD student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio State. Her proposal was selected for the Young Investigator Student Fellowship Award for Female Scholars in Vision Research. This award provides training support for future generations of outstanding female scientists committed to pursuing biomedical, behavioral or clinical research careers relevant to the mission of Prevent Blindness. Megan's research will assess novel therapeutic interventions for age-related macular degeneration including new therapeutics and extended release systems.
https://ohio.preventblindness.org/39962-2/
Dr. Swindle-Reilly gave a virtual seminar at McMaster University
Posted: March 25, 2021
Dr. Swindle-Reilly gave an invited talk to the Chemical Engineering Department at McMaster University. While it had to be a virtual visit to Hamilton, Canada, it was a great opportunity to discuss research and diversity topics with the faculty, researchers, and students.
2 publications in Current Eye Research
Posted: March 24, 2021
Congrats, Archie!
Tram NK, McLean RM, Swindle-Reilly KE. Glutathione Improves the Antioxidant Activity of Vitamin C in Human Lens and Retinal Epithelial Cells: Implications for Vitreous Substitutes. Current Eye Research. 46(4):470-481, 2021. doi:10.1080/02713683.2020.1809002
Tram NK, Maxwell CJ, Swindle-Reilly KE. Macro- and Microscale Properties of the Vitreous Humor to Inform Substitute Design and Intravitreal Biotransport. Current Eye Research. 46(4):429-444, 2021. doi:10.1080/02713683.2020.1826977
Dr. Swindle-Reilly attends KEEN Conference
Posted: February 4, 2021
Dr. Swindle-Reilly is part of the KEEN Faculty Learning Cohort at Ohio State and has interests in entrepreneurial minded learning (EML). She is attending her first KEEN conference and is enjoying the interactive nature of the programming.
PEOPLE
Lead Investigator
Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Dr. Swindle-Reilly completed a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Cooperative Plan at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2004 with High Honor. She then received her M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2006 and Ph.D. in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering in 2008 from Washington University in St. Louis under the advisement of Nathan Ravi, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.O. Her dissertation research resulted in the development and successful in vivo testing of an injectable, in vivo-gelling biomimetic vitreous substitute. She completed postdoctoral training in Biomedical Engineering at Saint Louis University under the advisement of Rebecca Kuntz Willits, Ph.D., and Cheryl Miller, Ph.D., where she developed biopolymer and electrospun scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. After completing her postdoctoral training, Dr. Swindle-Reilly worked in industry as a Senior Scientist at Rochal Industries LLC for over four years. While at Rochal Industries, she worked on the research and development of several patented and FDA approved wound care products. She concurrently held an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio from 2013-2015. She joined The Ohio State University as faculty in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in 2016.
Postdocs
Hamid Hamedi, Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering
Hamid Hamedi got his BSc in Chemical engineering from Arak Azad University and MSc in Chemical engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology. Then he Joined Prof. Tonelli’s lab as a research assistant at Wilson College of Textile, NC State University to work on preparation of smart hydrogels for wound dressing applications. He earned his PhD Major in Fiber and Polymer Science and Minor in Chemical and Biomolecular engineering from NC State University. In his PhD journey, he pursued his research in a biomedical textile research group at Wilson college of textile where he designed an external stimuli responsive bio-adhesive polymer for biomedical application. He likes to have a positive impact on human lifestyle and improving patient quality of life. He enjoys travelling, playing tennis, hiking and spending time with his family and friends.
Senior Research Technician
Sara Moradi, Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering
Sara Moradi got her BSc and MSc in Chemical engineering from Arak University. Then she Joined Prof. Tonelli’s lab as a visiting scholar at Wilson College of Textile, NC State University to work on her Ph.D. dissertation about preparation of smart hydrogels for wound dressing applications. She also collaborated with Prof. Hudson at Wilson College of Textile, NC State University and Joints department of Biomedical Engineering, NC State University. She earned his PhD Major in Polymer Science from Arak University. She developed biopolymeric-based hydrogels for biomedical engineering specially wound dressings and drug delivery. She enjoys travelling, playing piano, and spending time with her family and friends.
PhD Students
Megan M. Allyn, B.S., B.A.
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Megan Allyn is a 4th year graduate student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; her undergraduate degrees are in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Kettering University. Her work focuses on the development and application of drug delivery systems to carry anti-inflammatory blood proteins for treatment of ocular inflammation and disease. Her future aims are to work in the biopharmaceutical industry in process development. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs and partaking in outdoor activities.
Peter A. Jansen B.S., B.A.
Biomedical Engineering
Peter Jansen is a PhD student in the department of Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University and NSF Graduate Research Fellow. He completed his B.S. in Biomedical/Biosystems Engineering and a B.A. in German at Michigan State University. His research interests include ocular tissue engineering, biomaterials, biofabrication and stem cell/gene engineering.
Katarina Sikiric, B.S.
Biomedical Engineering
Katarina Sikiric is a Ph.D. student in the department of Biomedical Engineering and a graduate minor in Biomedical Informatics at The Ohio State University. She completed her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University as well. She performs her research in both the departments of Microbial Infection and Immunity and Biomedical Engineering. Her current research interests include wound healing, infection control, and bacteriophages. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing with her two cats.
MS Students
Positions Available
Undergraduate Researchers
Sebastian Martinez Hernandez
Biomedical Engineering
Sebastian is a third-year Biomedical Engineering student in the pre-med track at The Ohio State University. In the summer of 2023, as part of the SEED Program, Sebastian started working in Dr. Swindle-Reilly’s laboratory. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, playing guitar, and collecting vinyl records.
Nia Thomas
Biology, Psychology
Nia Thomas is a 4th-year student majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology at The Ohio State University. She began working in Dr. Swindle-Reilly's laboratory in the summer of 2023 as an intern in the SEED program. Outside of the lab, Nia is a mentor for the LSAMP program, providing STEM opportunities for minority students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Mimi Ghosh
Biomedical engineering
Mimi Ghosh is a 2nd year Biomedical Engineering student at the Ohio State University and has been a part of the Swindle-Reilly Lab since February 2023. She is a part of the Honors program and hopes to pursue a career in medicine after her undergraduate education. Mimi enjoys playing volleyball, spending time with her family and friends, and writing in her free time!
Vedshree Deshmukh
Biomedical Engineering
Vedshree is a second year Biomedical Engineering student at The Ohio State University and began working in Dr. Swindle-Reilly’s laboratory in the summer of 2022. Aside from research, Vedshree is co-captain of OSU Inaayat, OSU’s competitive Indian classical dance team, a private mathematics tutor, and an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Fundamentals of Engineering pathway. In her free time, Vedshree enjoys dancing, spending time with her friends, and playing with her dog, Moti.
Spencer Green
Biomedical Engineering, Classics
Spencer Green is a 2nd year Biomedical Engineering and Classics student at The Ohio State University. Spencer began working in Dr. Swindle-Reilly’s laboratory in the summer of 2022. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, music, and trivia.
Mia Jeter
Neuroscience, American Sign Language
Mia Jeter is a fourth-year neuroscience major minoring in American Sign Language at The Ohio State University. Mia began working in Dr. Swindle-Reilly's laboratory in the summer of 2022 as part of the SEED program. Now that the program has completed, she will continue to pursue research in the lab until she graduates.
Back to top
RESEARCH
Research Summary
Our lab's research focuses on the design of polymeric biomaterials for soft tissue repair and drug delivery with focused applications in ophthalmology and wound healing. Studies in the lab focus on polymer synthesis, mechanical characterization, cell-material interactions, and controlled release. A major focus of our work is engineering biomimetic polymers that have properties similar to the native tissue to improve wound healing and outcomes after ophthalmic surgery. Our laboratory is currently investigating materials-based solutions for corneal wound healing, cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, age-related macular degeneration, and optic neuropathy with a focus on ocular drug delivery. We also collaborate on treatments pertaining to cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, and women's health.
Research Projects
Biomimetic Injectable Hydrogel Vitreous Substitute
The vitreous humor comprises the majority of the volume of the eye between the lens and the retina. The vitreous liquefies with age, resulting in a number of complications. Many experience floaters in vision, and over 750,000 vitrectomies are performed annually. We are interested in the development of injectable hydrogels for vitreous substitution that match the biochemical, optical, and mechanical properties of the natural vitreous humor. This includes investigation into the role of vitreous antioxidants and biomechanics on ocular health. This work is supported by NIH.
Posterior Capsule Opacification Prevention
Cataract is the opacification of the lens which is treated by surgical removal of the lens and implantation of a polymeric intraocular lens (IOL). Posterior capsular opacification is a common complication of cataract surgery, resulting in lens epithelial cells responding to the implant. We are interested modifying intraocular lens materials to prevent lens epithelial cell attachment after cataract surgery. This includes investigation into lens epithelial cell mechanobiology. This work is supported by NIH.
Corneal Wound Healing
The cornea is susceptible to injury due to trauma, surgical wounds, and chronic conditions such as blepharitis or dry eye disease. We are developing bioprinted polymeric materials to promote corneal wound healing with minimal scarring as well as topical drug delivery devices to locally deliver therapeutics to promote healing and mitigate infection. This work is supported by NIH and NSF.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
We are developing injectable hydrogel scaffolds with controlled release of neuroprotective agents to mitigate injury after trauma to the optic nerve. This work is supported by DOD.
Ocular Drug Delivery
We are developing systems for controlled release of therapeutics through topical application or intravitreal injection to prevent and manage ophthalmic conditions (e.g. age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, fibrosis). We have developed nanoparticles, microparticles, microcapsules, and tunable hydrogel delivery systems. This work is supported by DOD, NIH, and Owen Locke Foundation.
Wound Healing and Drug Delivery
We have experience developing FDA approved products for use in wound care, soft tissue repair, and controlled release systems. We are interested in collaborating to optimize polymeric materials to promote wound healing, minimize fibrosis or scarring, mitigate infection, or sustain release of therapeutics.
PHOTOS
Spring 2022: Pictured are Dr. Swindle-Reilly, Richard Luo, Peter Jansen, Elle Hellwarth, Megan Allyn, Josh Bopp, Emma McLaughlin, Raima Puri, Archie Tram, and Zihan Zhang.
Summer 2016: First Lab Group Photo. Pictured are Dr. Swindle-Reilly, Christian Grimme, Jeff Gray, Sophie Carus, Samantha Thobe, Mallory Allen, Katrina Schroeder, and Archie Tram .