Alpha Eta Mu Beta
Arizona State University Chapter
National Biomedical Engineering Honor Society
Dr. Brent Vernon
ASU AEMB Academic Advisor
Christopher (Stoph) Cusick
Co-President
Niko Vlastos
Treasurer
Major/Year: Biomedical Engineering, Grad
Aerospace Engineering, Senior
Undergraduate Experience: I am senior in Aerospace Engineering and a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering. Outside of class I work in Dr. Liping Wang’s lab focusing onnanostructures to increase solar absorbance to make solar thermal systems more efficient. I have completed capstone working on a fetal shunt made to solve the problem know as bladder outlet obstruction in utero (BOO). This disorder will not allow fetuses to urinate thus causing the bladder to expand until it restricts the development of other organs such as the lungs. If left untreated, the disorder is fatal and current therapies still provide a slim survival rate and a poor quality of life. The shunt is being further developed with Physicians in hopes of it becoming the new gold standard of treatment. The past few summers I have worked at NASA Ames Research Center designing and conducting experiment studying exoelectrogens in space, which hopefully will one day be used in biofuel cells for wastewater treatment.
Future Plans: I plan to pursue and M.D. PhD where I will be able to study space medicine.
Lab: Biomaterials Laboratory
Research Interests: Biomaterials, drug delivery, tissue engineering
Collaborations and Industry Affiliations: Understanding antimicrobial and fluid distribution in orthopaedic wounds for the management of infection and trauma, Banner Good Samaritan Hospital.
Professional Prep: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Zurich
Ph.D., bioengineering, University of Utah 1999
B.S.E., biomedical engineering, Arizona State University 1993
Major/Year: Biomedical Engineering, Grad
Undergraduate Experience: I have worked in Dr. Caplan's research lab focusing on diabetes since fall of 2014. I have also done significant work in Engineering Outreach for ASU, working with Dr. Ganesh to bring awareness about engineering to K-12 students. I have also just completed a fellowship in Spain, where I shadowed doctors in the hospitals in Pontevedra, Spain. I am involved in many organizations including: BMES, Tau Beta Pi, and Fulton Ambassadors. Also, I love cookies.
Future Plans: I plan to attend medical school after getting my Master's with ASU's 4+1 program. I hope to pursue a career in either anesthesiology or general surgery.
Daylin Morgan
Secretary
Major/Year: Biomedical Engineering, Grad
Undergraduate Experience: I am a Master’s student in BME working in Dr. David Brafman’s Lab. My project is focused on the development of a xeno-free, chemically-defined substrate for use in large-scale cell culture. Specifically, as it relates to the large-scale expansion and differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural progenitor cells. This will allow further research in cell based therapies, disease modeling, or drug toxicity screening. This
work will culminate in my thesis defense in Spring of 2018. While in my undergrad I worked as both a Tutor and a UGTA. I have TA’ed for Biomedical Device Design as well as Transport Phenomena. Additionally, I spent a summer as a biomedical intern for Project C.U.R.E., a local non-profit that donates medical equipment to third-world countries. These experiences have shaped my education and aspirations in pursuit of learning more about Biomedical Engineering.
Future Plans: Upon completion of my degree I plan to pursue work in the private sector in the area of stem cell and regenerative medicine based technologies.
Kenna Lum
Co-President
Major/Year: Biomedical Engineering, Grad
Undergraduate Experience: I am currently a Graduate student in BME working in Dr. Richard Herman's research lab on the correlations between brown adipose tissue and obesity in mice. Dr. Herman and his wife, Janice, a physical therapist, worked in conjunction with my Capstone group to create a medical device that could track the head movements and angles for children with Cerebral Palsy. I also have an interest in the medical field, currently applying for medical schools. I have participated on multiple Medical Missions Trips to Mexico, the Philippines, Romania, and Panama. I volunteered at Camp Barnabas in Purdy, MO serving as a summer camp facilitator for children with cerebral palsy. In addition to academics and volunteer work, I am a top ranked collegiate wakeboarder for the ASU WakeDevils, contributing to two national titles.
Future Plans: Upon completion of graduate studies, I hope to matriculate into medical school and serve the communities that have provided me with so much.