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

Derek Nelson

Doctoral Student

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. Awards: NIA Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Translational Research Training Fellowship

Adelle Hamilton

Doctoral Student

B.S. Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 2020

B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 2020

hamila3@rpi.edu | LinkedIn

Adelle's current research focuses on the development of aligned electrospun fibers utilizing different poly(pro-drugs) in order to promote regeneration following neural tissue injury. Awards: NIGMS Biomolecular Science and Engineering Training Fellowship

Ruiwen Chen

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, 2020

B.S. Textile Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, 2013

chenr14@rpi.edu

Ruiwen's current research focuses on developing poly(pro-drug) coatings for intracortical microelectrodes in order to reduce the neuroinflammatory response following implantation.

Jessica Funnell

Doctoral Candidate

B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, 2018

funnej@rpi.edu | LinkedIn

Jessica’s research focuses on developing magnetic composite electrospun fibers for on-demand drug release to promote neural regeneration after spinal cord injury. Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, NYS SCIRP Fellowship, RPI Founders Award

Manoj Gottipati

Research Associate

Ph.D. University of Alabama - Birmingham, Biomedical Engineering

gottim2@rpi.edu

Manoj's work focuses on assessing the potential of aligned fibrous scaffolds in mitigating the reactive astroglial response and promoting robust axonal regeneration following a spinal cord injury using novel in vitro and in vivo models. Manoj us a Visiting Scholar at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and a Craig H. Neilsen Postdoctoral Fellow.

Devan Puhl

Doctoral Candidate

B.S. Biochemistry and Biophysics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2017

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2022

puhld@rpi.edu | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Devan's research focuses on developing and characterizing drug and gene-loaded aligned electrospun fibers for peripheral nerve regeneration. Her work has involved encapsulating small molecule drugs within electrospun fibers, synthesizing genetic material in-house to stimulate production of a pro-regenerative protein, and immobilizing genetic material to the surface of electrospun fibers using various surface coatings. Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, NYS SCIRP Fellowship, RPI Founders Award

Group Alumni

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