Awarded in 2023
Home Department: Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine
Faculty Advisors: Michael Longaker (Surgery) and Eric Appel (Materials Science & Engineering)

Research Title: Targeting Engrailed-1 Positive Fibroblasts and Mechanotransduction Signaling in Foreign Body Response

Research Description: With a market valued at $168.3 billion USD by 2027, implantable devices and materials have become an essential aspect of modern medicine. However, any material implanted into the body will cause an inflammatory fibrotic reaction known as foreign body response (FBR) that can often lead to pain, aesthetic changes, and device failure. Jennifer hopes to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause FBR, and to use a novel drug-loaded hydrogel to decrease the reaction that leads to these complications. Combined, Jennifer aims to uncover key insights into developing translational approaches to target FBR in future clinical settings.