Undergraduate Students

Focus Area:
Left Ventricular Remodeling and Chromic Kidney Disease.

Research Interest:
Further understand the relationship between Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease, and its effects, by quantifying the extent of remodeling in the left ventricle of chronic kidney diseased mice.

Expected Graduation:
Fall 2024

Fun Fact:
Alex enjoys playing pickleball and beach volleyball.

Focus Area:
EGFR inhibition of vascular calcification.

Research Interest:
Working to develop a therapeutic and preventative option to treat VC by inhibiting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in vitro.

Expected Graduation:
Fall 2023

Fun Fact:
In Jazlyn’s free time, you can find her rock climbing or hiking.

Focus Area:
Calcification Mechanisms

Expected Graduation:
Spring 2025

Research Interest:
Investigating the mechanistic differences between physiological and pathological mineralization in Human Osteoblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via the release of extracellular vesicles.

Fun Fact:
Nicole scuba dives and her dream is to explore the depths of the ocean!

Focus Area:
The mechanobiological mechanisms behind bicuspid aortic valve related aortic valve disease progression.

Research Interest:
He would like to contribute to different aspects of cardiovascular research by studying mechanobiology, tissue engineering, pathological remodeling, and therapeutics.

Awards:
CURE Program (January 2023 – Present)

Expected Graduation:
Spring 2026

Fun Fact:
Lucas dances whenever he is bored. Also, he has a medical podcast called “The Operating Room”. Please like and subscribe!

Focus Area:
Cardiac tissue biomechanics.

Research Interest:
She would like to contribute to the field of cardiovascular engineering by studying mechanisms of pathological remodeling, developing novel therapeutics for heart disease, and/or using 3D bioprinting techniques and advanced biomaterials to promote regeneration.

Awards:
MARC U*STAR Fellowship (June 2022-Present)

Expected Graduation:
Summer 2024

Fun Fact:
She’s an avid Miami Heat fan and has a Labrador named “Buckets”.

Focus Area:
Inhibiting vascular calcification through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) modulation

Research Interest:
Investigating strategies to target EGFR signaling pathways and exploring EGFR’s underlying role in promoting or inhibiting vascular calcification, with the aim of developing more effective treatments for cardiovascular diseases.

Expected Graduation:
Spring 2026

Fun Fact:
Alexandra loves to ice skate and read!

Focus Area:
Vascular calcification (VC) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Research Interest:
Understanding the mechanisms that lead to medical calcification and how CKD progresses this in vivo. In addition, studying the effects of CKD and VC in Alzheimer’s and dementia development.

Awards:
Cure Program Researcher (August 2022 – Present)

Expected Graduation:
Spring 2024

Fun Fact:
Lorimar loves to attend conventions and concerts in her free time.

Focus Area:
Left ventricular remodeling and chronic kidney disease.

Research Interest:
Investigate how Heart Failure intersects with Chronic Kidney Disease, assessing the impact by evaluating alterations in the left ventricular structure of mice affected by chronic renal conditions.

Expected Graduation:
Spring 2024

Fun Fact:
Nathan enjoys going to the gym and traveling.