Awarded in 2021
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Mark Skylar-Scott (Bioengineering), Steven Boxer (Chemistry), and Michael Ma (Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Research Title: Optical Coagulation for 3D Bioprinting in vitro and Directed Hemostasis in vivo

Research Description: Joshua proposes to develop optical control of coagulation to create two new technologies: (1) Optical Coagulation 3D Bioprinting of cell-laden fibrin, which will combine the biological advantages of a natural protein matrix with the fabrication advantages of stereolithography to print high-fidelity vascularized tissues for studying (patho)physiology, drug responses, and organ engineering, and (2) precision Optical Hemostasis, to avert complications in intricate surgeries like pediatric unifocalization surgery. Joshua is pursuing two promising routes to develop optical coagulation: (1) a split coagulation enzyme reconstituted by optogenetic heterodimerizing domains, and (2) adaption and application of a photoswitchable thrombin-inhibiting aptamer system.