Lab Members | The Gilbert Lab: Biomaterials for Spinal Cord Injury

Derek Nelson

Doctoral Candidate

B.S. Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, 2019

nelsod4@rpi.edu | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Derek's current research involves the recombinant production of biomimetic proteins designed to facilitate the delivery of neural therapeutics that target neurodegenerative disease and traumatic brain injury pathology. Derek is also investigating the regenerative potential of a cardiovascular therapeutic for neural tissue injury applications as well as a novel mRNA therapeutic. Awards: NIA Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Translational Research Training Fellowship | Health Innovations Incubator and Technology Center Fellowship by the Center for Disability Services

Adelle Hamilton

Doctoral Student

B.S. Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 2020

B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 2020

hamila3@rpi.edu | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Adelle's current research focuses on the synthesis of poly(pro-drugs) to allow for controlled and local drug delivery following central nervous system injury. Additionally, Adelle is characterizing the cellular response to novel poly(pro-drug) biomaterials, and investigating their neuroprotective and neuroregenerative potential following stimulated neural tissue injury. Awards: NIGMS Biomolecular Science and Engineering Training Fellowship | New York State Individual Predoctoral Fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Research

Jack Devlin

Graduate Student

M.S. Biomedical Engineering, Fairfield University, 2023

B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Fairfield University, 2022

devlij2@rpi.edu | LinkedIn

Payton O'Connor

Graduate Student

B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 2023

oconnp3@rpi.edu | LinkedIn

John Leman, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, Harvard University, 1993

B.S. Chemistry, University of Michigan

lemanj@rpi.edu | LinkedIn

John's current research focuses on poly(pro-drug) synthesis and material development for long-term implantation and therapeutic release for use in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Palermo Lab (Materials Science and Engineering, RPI).

Jay Saksena, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. Bioengineering, Tulane University, 2022

MSc. Bioengineering, University College Dublin

MSc. Material & Nano-Science, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Sorbonne

BSc. Physics, St. Stephen's College

saksej@rpi.edu | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Jay's current research focuses on developing additively manufactured poly(pro-drug) implants for personalized therapies for spinal cord injuries and anti-inflammatory coatings for intracortical microelectrodes, in collaboration with the Palermo Lab (Materials Science and Engineering, RPI).

Group Alumni

Jessica Funnell, PhD
Devan Puhl, PhD | Research Scientist, Landmark Bio, Watertown, Massachusetts
Alexis Ziemba, PhD | Lecturer and Post-doctoral Scholar, Smith College
Anthony D'Amato, PhD | Post-doctoral Fellow, Cornell University
Christopher Johnson, PhD | Research Scientist, Quad Technologies, Woburn, Massachusetts
Nicholas Schaub, PhD | Senior Scientific Analyst, Axle Informatics
Jon Zuidema, PhD | Post-doctoral Research Scientist, University of California San Diego
Christopher McKay, PhD | Research Scientist, Gilead Sciences
Christopher Rivet, PhD | Physical Science/Physics Teacher, Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union
Hanbing Wang, PhD | Lecturer, Chemistry, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Gregory Desmond, MS | Biotech Production Specialist II, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rebecca Pomrenke, MS | Product Analyst II, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts