Awarded in 2024
Home Department: Materials Science & Engineering
Faculty Advisors: Sarah Heilshorn (Materials Science & Engineering) and Jon-Paul Pepper (Otolaryngology)

Research Title: 3D printing of bi-layer nerve conduits for the controlled delivery of a Hedgehog pathway modulator

The majority of patients receiving surgical therapy for peripheral nerve injuries do not regain full sensorimotor function. To address this critical need, Betty will fabricate 3D-printed nerve conduits with controlled release of a Hedgehog pathway modulator, which she hypothesizes will biochemically induce nerve regeneration. Her bi-layer design integrates an inner layer for drug delivery and a mechanically reinforced outer layer for surgical manipulation. Conduits will be computationally designed and fabricated using a new diffusion-based 3D printing strategy. Activation of the novel biochemical pathway will be confirmed in vitro, and therapeutic potential will be assessed in a mouse sciatic nerve model.