Professor of Chemical Engineering
Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering
Faculty Bio
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering
Faculty Bio
1. Kim, A., Huang, E., Weiser, J.R., Simson, A., “Optimization of electrospun polyethyleneimine/polystyrene nanofibers for CO2 capture”, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 2026 Mar. doi.org/10.1007/s13762-026-07111-6
2. Bhadouria, N., Baburova, A., Tiao, J., Jain, C., Wang, B., Demopoulos, A., Nasser, P., Weiser, J.R., Vashishth, D., Dahia, C., Hect, A., Iatridis, J.C., “Injury induces more severe biomechanical changes in aged and geriatric lumbar spines in a mouse ex vivo model”, Journal of the Orthopaedic Research Society – Spine 2025 Oct. doi: 10.1002/jsp2.70127
3. Pylostomou, A., Wychowaniec, J.K., Tognato, R., Egger, S.T., Alig, G.U., Edwards-Gayle, C.J.C, Safari, F., Weiser, J.R., Loca, D., D'Este, M., Serra, T., Vernengo, A.J., “EXPECT: A Thermosensitive Embedded Bioprinting Platform for Guided Spatial Cell Organization”, Smart Materials in Medicine, 2025 Sep. doi: 10.1016/j.smaim.2025.09.002
4. Bhattacharjee, A., Zhou, S., Lee, K., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “Custom 3D Printed Wrist Brace Featuring a Voronoi Pattern”, Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Paper presented at the 2025 Chi Annual Conference (CHI EA '25), Yokohama, Japan, 2025 Apr. doi: 10.1145/3706599.3720303
5. Pfluger, C., Weiser, J.R., Horvat, K., “Incorporating Hands-on, Inquiry-based Learning Modules into the Chemical Engineering Classroom”, Chemical Engineering Education, Winter 2023; 58(1):12-21.
6. Panebianco, C.J., Bhadouira, N., Kim, O. S., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Dutta, P., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “An Inquiry-Based Learning STEM Outreach Module to Teach Principles of Bioadhesives and Tissue Repair”, Paper presented at the 2023 ASEE Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, 2023 Jun. doi: 10.18260/1-2--42628
7. Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O. S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Teaching Tissue Repair Through and Inquiry-Based Learning Bioadhesives Module”, Biomedical Engineering Education2022/11. doi: 10.1007/s43683-022-00087-y.
8. DiStefano, T.J., Vaso, K., Panebianco, C.J., Danias, G., Chionuma, H.N., Kunnath, K., Karoulias, S.Z., Wang, M., Xu, P., Davé, R.N., Sahoo, S., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Hydrogel-embedded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres for the Delivery of hMSC-derived Exosomes to Promote Bioactive Annulus Fibrosus Repair” CARTILAGE 2022 Jul. doi: 10.1177/19476035221113959
9. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Hom, W.W., Meyers, J.H., Lim, T.Y., Laudier, D.M., Hecht, A.C., Weir, M.D., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., "Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Seeded with Oxidized Alginate Microbeads as a Novel Composite Biomaterial Strategy for Intervertebral Disc Cell Therapy" Biomaterials 2022 Jun. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121641
10. Panebianco, C.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Teaching Principles of Biomaterials to Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic with At-Home Laboratory Experiments” Chemical Engineering Education 2022 Feb:56 (1). doi: 10.18260/2-1-370.660-125552
11. DiStefano, T.J., Chionuma, H.N., Danias, G., Vaso, K., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Extracellular Vesicles as an Emerging Therapeutic for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Therapeutic Potential and Translational Pathways” AdvancedHealthcare Materials 2021 Jul 23:e2100596. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202100596
12. Panebianco, C.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Development of an At-home Metal Corrosion Laboratory Experiment for STEM Outreach in Biomaterials During the Covid-19 Pandemic” Paper presented at 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual Conference, 2021 Jul. doi:10.18260/1-2--36966
13. Weiser, J.R., Saltzman, W.M., “Controlled release for local delivery of drugs: barriers and models” Journal of Controlled Release 2014 Sep 28;190:664-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.04.048
14. Weiser, J.R., Yueh, A., Putnam, D., “Protein Release from Dihydroxyacetone Based Poly(carbonate-ester) Matrices” Acta Biomaterialia2013 Sep;9(9):8245-53. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.05.020
15. Weiser, J.R., Ricapito, N.G., Yueh, A., Weiser, E.L., Putnam, D., “A Proposed Mechanism for the Quantitation of α-Hydroxy Ketones by the Bicinchoninic Acid Assay” Analytical Biochemistry 2012 Nov 15;430(2):116-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.08.009
16. Weiser, J.R., Zawaneh, P.N., Putnam, D., “Poly(carbonate-ester)s of Dihydroxyacetone and Lactic Acid as Potential Biomaterials” Biomacromolecules2011 Apr 11;12(4):977-86. doi: 10.1021/bm101342p
17. Henderson, P.W., Kadouch, D.J. M., Singh, S.P., Zawaneh, P. N., Weiser, J.R., Yazdi, S., Weinstein, A.L., Krotscheck, U., Putnam, D., Spector, J. A., “A rapidly resorbable hemostatic biomaterial based on dihydroxyacetone” Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Part A2010 May;93(2):776-82. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.32586
Podium
1. Vernengo, A., Casas, D., Raible, S., & Weiser, J.R., “A Layered Approach to Entrepreneurial Mindset Development: Integrating Jigsaw Activities with Structured Reflective Journaling”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2026, Minneapolis, MN
2. Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “From Clinical Utility to Computational Couture: The Voronoi Pattern as a Bridge Between Biomedical Engineering and the Arts”, 5th International Biennial Biomaterials and Novel Technologies for Healthcare Conference, Oct. 2026, Rome, Italy
3. Bhattacharjee, A., Zhou, S., Lee, K., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “Custom 3D Printed Wrist Brace Featuring a Voronoi Pattern”, Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2025 Chi Annual Conference (CHI EA '25), April 2025, Yokohama, Japan
4. Schwartsman, E., Davis, B., Weiser, J.R., “Developing a Hands-on Hops Analysis of Beer Brewing for the Chemical Engineering Laboratory” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Oct. 2024, San Diego, CA
5. Panebianco, C.J., Shah, M., Han, W.M., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Developing an Undergraduate Education Pipeline into Orthopaedic Research”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2024, Long Beach, CA
6. Pylostomou, A., Tognato, R., Kim, O., Edwards-Gayle, C.J.C, Ma, J., D'Este, M., Wychowaniec, J.K., Serra, T., Loca, D., Weiser, J.R., Vernengo, A.J.,“Patterning and Controlled Condensation of Cells Embedded within Thermosensitive Support Baths for Anisotropic Tissue Engineering”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
7. Islamova, A., Rahman, I., Davis, B., Weiser, J.R., “Beer Brewing as a Practical Application of Chemical Engineering Fundamentals in Lab and Design”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
8. Zhou, S., Lee, K., Blanca, A., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “A Procedure for Fabricating a 3D Printed Wrist Support Device for Injury Immobilization and Healing”, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, Oct. 2023, Los Angeles, CA
9. Pylostomou, A., Tognato, R., Wychowaniec, J.K., D'Este, M., Serra, T., Weiser, J.R., Loca, D., Vernengo, A.J., “Thermosensitive support baths promoting aligned anisotropic stem cell clustering for endochondral bone tissue engineering”, European Cells and Materials eCM21: Bone and Fracture Repair Meeting, July 2023, Davos, Switzerland
10. Panebianco, C.J., Bhadouira, N., Kim, O. S., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Dutta, P., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “An Inquiry-Based Learning STEM Outreach Module to Teach Principles of Bioadhesives and Tissue Repair”, 2023 American Society for Engineering Education Conference and Exposition Proceedings, June 2023, Baltimore, MD
11. Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O. S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Teaching Principles of Bioadhesives with An Inquiry-based Learning Module", Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2023, Dallas, TX (Nominated for the New Investigator Recognition Award)
12. Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O. S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Assessment of an Inquiry-Based Learning Bioadhesive Module to Teach Principles of Tissue Repair”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2022, Phoenix, AZ
13. Egger, S., Alig, G., D'Este, M., Grad, S., Wychowaniec, J.K., Weiser, J.R., Vernengo, A.J., “Microextrusion-based anisotropic cell patterning within temperature-sensitive hydrogel matrices for annulus fibrosus regeneration”, European Cells and Materials eCM20: Cartilage and Disc Repair and Regeneration Meeting, June 2022, Davos, Switzerland
14. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Hom, W.W., Hecht, A.C., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Cell-Laden Injectable High-Modulus Biomaterial Composites Repair Intervertebral Discs Under Physiological Loading", The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine 2022 Annual Meeting, May 2022, Boston, MA
15. Panebianco, C.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “At-Home Inquiry-Based Learning Experiments for Biomaterials Education and Outreach During COVID-19”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2022, Tampa, FL
16. Panebianco, C.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Teaching Principles of Biomaterials during the COVID-19 Pandemic with at-Home Inquiry-Based Learning Laboratory Experiments”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
17. Davis, B., Weiser, J.R., Okorafor, O., “Design and Analysis of a Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine Facility in a Remote Learning Format”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
18. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Hom, W.W., Hecht. A.C., Weiser, J.R.; Iatridis, J.C., "Long-Term Evaluation of an Injectable High-Modulus Composite Biomaterial for Intervertebral Disc Cell Delivery", 2021 Black Family Stem Cell Institute/Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology Annual Retreat, Oct. 2021, Glen Cove, NY
19. Panebianco, C.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Development of an At-Home Metal Corrosion Laboratory Experiment for STEM Outreach in Biomaterials During the COVID-19 Pandemic”, 2021 American Society for Engineering Education Conference and Exposition Proceedings, July 2021, Virtual
20. DiStefano, T.J., Vaso, K., Danias, G., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Hydrogel-embedded PLGA Microspheres for the Delivery of hMSC-derived Exosomes for Intervertebral Disc Repair”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2021, Virtual
21. Weiser, J.R., Lepek, D., “Introducing K-12 Students to Topics on Alternative Energy and Climate Change”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2020, Virtual
22. Panebianco, C.J., Meyers, J., Rao, S., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., "Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Seeded with Oxidized Alginate Microbeads as a Novel Composite Biomaterial Strategy for Intervertebral Disc Cell Delivery”, 2020 Philadelphia Spine Research Society Symposium, Nov. 2020, Virtual
23. Panebianco, C.J., Meyers, J., Rao, S., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., "Degradable Oxidized Alginate Microbeads Promote Cell Viability and Extracellular Matrix Synthesis Within Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Composite Hydrogels Constructs", oSTEM at Mount Sinai Pride in Science Symposium, Jun. 2020, New York, NY
24. Weiser, J.R., “Getting Active: How the ASEE Summer School Shaped my Teaching Practices”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Oct. 2018, Minneapolis, MN
25. Weiser, J.R., Zawaneh, P.N., Putnam, D., “Dihydroxyacetone and Lactic Acid Poly(carbonate-ester)s as Potential Biomaterials”, Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Oct. 2011, Hartford, CT
26. Weiser, J.R., Zawaneh, P.N., Putnam, D., “Poly(carbonate-ester)s as Vehicles for Controlled Release”, Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting, July 2011, National Harbor, MD
27. Weiser, J.R., “CLIMB GK-12 Fellows: Bringing BME to the K-12 Classroom”, Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Oct. 2010, Austin, TX
Poster
1. Nichakawade, N., Weiser, J.R., Janjusevic, R., “Computational Approach to Improved Nanobody - Antigen Binding Compatibility”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2025 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2025, Boston, MA
2. Wu, A., Mottahedeh, A., Weiser, J.R., Janjusevic, R., “Mutagenesis of the acka Gene in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) Strain to Increase Production Yield of Recombinant Human Tropoelastin.”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2025 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2025, Boston, MA
3. Bhadouria, N., Tiao, J. Baburova, A., Jain, C., Demopoulos, A., Nasser, P., Weiser, J.R., Hect, A., Iatridis, J.C., “Intervertebral disc injury disrupts biomechanical properties more than aging in a mouse lumbar spine ex vivo model”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2025, Phoenix, AZ
4. Bhadouria, N., Tiao, J. Baburova, A., Nasser, P., Weiser, J.R., Hect, A., Iatridis, J.C., “Aging and injury interact to increase biomechanical instability in aged mouse lumbar intervertebral discs”, 7th International Spine Research Symposium, Nov. 2024, Skytop, PA
5. Dave, I., Cohen, E., Hannan, J., Marshall, D., Han, W., Weiser, J.R., “Hydrogels with Microsphere Drug Delivery Technology to Promote Healing Post-Pelvic Radiotherapy and Prevent Vaginal Stenosis” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2024 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Oct. 2024, San Diego, CA
6. Sealy, J., Volpe, R., Londono-Barbaran, A., Daly, M., Dumler, J., Weiser, J.R., Hoffman, B., Sharma, A., Kathiresan, V., McDevitt, M., Revskaya, E., “Clinical Potential of EPR Spectroscopy in Assessing Radiation Resistance in Pathogens and Tumors” American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2024 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Oct. 2024, San Diego, CA
7. Cohen, E., Marshall, D., Han, W.M., Weiser, J.R., “Hydrogel Technologies to Prevent Vaginal Toxicity and Promote Healing after Pelvic Radiotherapy”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2023 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL (Cohen, E. Awarded 1st Place in Materials Engineering and Science Poster Competition)
8. Huang, K., Dave, I., Whang, E., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “Fabricating Cost-Effective, Wireless Pressure Sensors Using Piezoresistive Electronic Textiles.”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2023 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
9. Huang, K., Tardy, C., Whang, E., Shah, M., Weiser, J.R., “Conducting Polymers as Flexible Sensors”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2023 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
10. Li, J., Al-Shehab, Z., Vazquez M., Kim, O., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Experimental Design for Biomaterials Education: 3D Bioprinting”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2023 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
11. Zhou, S., Lee, K., Blanca, A., Shah, M., Weiser, J.R., “Fabrication a Flexible Thermoplastic 3D Printed Wrist Support Device for Injury Immobilization and Healing”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2023 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2023, Orlando, FL
12. Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O. S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J., Weiser, J.R., “Teaching Principles of Bioadhesives with An Inquiry-based Learning Module", Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2023, Dallas, TX (Nominated for the New Investigator Recognition Award)
13. Cohen, E., Marshall, D., Han, W.M., Weiser, J.R., “Hydrogel Technologies to Prevent Vaginal Stenosis after Pelvic Radiotherapy”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2022 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2022, Phoenix, AZ
14. Kim, O., Weiser, J.R., Vernengo, A.J., “Temperature-Sensitive Patternable Hydrogels for Long-Term Tissue Repair”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2022 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2022, Phoenix, AZ (Kim, O. Awarded 1st Place in Materials Engineering and Science Poster Competition)
15. Svenson, A., Weiser, J.R., “Graduate Involvement in Vertically Integrated Projects for Biomaterials Education Research”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2022, Phoenix, AZ
16. Huang, E., Weiser, J.R., Simson, A., “Electrospun Polymer Fibers for Carbon Capture of CO2”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2022, Phoenix, AZ
17. Katz, M., Kluger, E., Kanghyuk, L., Meiner, B., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “The Ai Rock Paper Scissors Machine”, International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Oct. 2022, Columbus, OH
18. Whang, E., Huang, K., Tardy, C., Weiser, J.R., Shah, M., “E-Textile Origami Accordion with DIY Textile Sensors”, Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference, Oct. 2022, Houston, TX (Whang, E. Awarded 1st Place in the Undergraduate Collegiate Poster Competition)
19. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Hom, W.W., Hecht, A.C., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Cell-Laden Oxidized Alginate Microbeads Seeded in Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Hydrogels for Intervertebral Disc Cell Delivery: Long-term Evaluation of a Composite Biomaterial for Annulus Fibrosus Repair”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2022, Tampa, FL
20. Rao, S., Panebianco, C.J., Hom, W.W., Weiser, J.R.; Iatridis, J.C., "Novel High-Modulus Cell-Delivery Composite Biomaterial for Intervertebral Disc Repair and Regeneration", American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Student Conference 2021 Annual Student Conference Poster Presentation, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA (Rao, S. Awarded 3rd Place in Materials Engineering and Science Poster Competition)
21. Alam, M., Yasharpour, E., Weiser, M.C., Weiser, J.R., “Testing the Effectiveness of Free-Standing HEPA Filters Placed in Operating Rooms to Reduce the Spread of Contaminated Particles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
22. Chen, K., Weiser, J.R., Simson A., “An Investigation into Electrospun Scaffolds Containing Ion-Exchange Resins for Direct Capture of CO2 from Ambient Air”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
23. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., “Degradable Oxidized Alginate Microbeads Promote Cell Viability and Extracellular Matrix Synthesis within Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Composite Hydrogel Constructs”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
24. Vaso, K., DiStefano, T.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Biologically Active Annulus Fibrosus Repair”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2021, Boston, MA
25. Panebianco, C.J., Rao, S., Hom, W.W., Weiser, J.R.; Iatridis, J.C., "Novel High-Modulus Cell-Delivery Composite Biomaterial for Annulus Fibrosus Repair", 10th Annual Musculoskeletal Repair and Regeneration Symposium Poster Presentation, Oct. 2021, New York, NY
26. DiStefano, T.J., Danias, G., Vaso, K., Chionuma, H.N., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J. C., “hMSC-derived Exosomes as a Stem Cell-free Strategy for Biologically Active Annulus Fibrosus Repair”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2021, Virtual
27. Panebianco, C.J., Meyers, J., Rao, S., Weiser, J.R., Iatridis, J.C., "Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Seeded with Oxidized Alginate Microbeads as a Novel Composite Biomaterial Strategy for Intervertebral Disc Cell Delivery”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2021, Virtual
28. Serodio, P., Weiser, J.R., “Design and Operation of a Low-Cost, Open-Source Syringe Pump for Electrospinning Applications”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2020, Virtual
29. Vaso, K., DiStefano, T.J., Iatridis, J.C., Weiser, J.R., “Sonication-free Fabrication and Characterization of Hydrogel-embedded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres for Extracellular Vesicle Delivery to the Intervertebral Disc”, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, Nov. 2020, Virtual
30. Panebianco, C.J., Meyer, J., Rao, S., Weiser, J.R.; Iatridis, J.C., "Seeding Oxidized Alginate Microbeads within Genipin-Crosslinked Fibrin Hydrogels for Intervertebral Disc Repair", 9th Annual Musculoskeletal Repair and Regeneration Symposium Poster Presentation, Oct. 2020, Virtual
31. Godkin, R., Rahman, I., Weiser, M.C., Weiser, J.R., " Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations for Validation of Air Flow Studies in Operating Rooms (ORs)”, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2020, Phoenix, AZ
32. Weiser, J.R., Saltzman, W.M., “Multifunctional Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems for Controlled Release”, Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting, July 2018, New York, NY
33. Weiser, J.R., “Hands on Polymer Experiments for Materials Science”, American Society for Engineering Education Chemical Engineering Summer School, Aug. 2017, Raleigh, NC
34. Weiser, J.R., Zawaneh, P.N., Putnam, D., “Poly(carbonate-ester)s of Dihydroxyacetone and Lactic Acid as Therapeutic Biomaterials”, Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting, July 2010, Portland, OR
35. Weiser, J.R., Zawaneh, P.N., Putnam, D., “Statistically Random Copolymers Based on Dihydroxyacetone and Lactic Acid for use as Therapeutic Biomaterials”, Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting, Oct. 2009, Pittsburgh, PA
36. Wong, R.L., Weiser, J.R., Wang, Y., “Clinical Summer Immersion for Biomedical Engineering PhD Students”, NIH/NIBIB Training Grantees Meeting, July 2008, Silver Spring, MD
Robert Godkin
Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations for Validation of Air Flow Studies in Fume Hoods and Operating Rooms
Reducing the rate of post-surgical infection is of great significance in the medical community. Airflow patterns are major contributors to an increased risk for infection within the surgical theater. The current state of modeling and present experimental work leave opportunity to improve upon modern practices and offer new insight to surgeons to ameliorate the problem. Based on an extensive literature search, current computational models struggle to accurately model thermal plumes from heat emitting bodies in the operating room (OR), and overestimate the amount of heat transferred to the bulk of the OR. This thesis focuses on both small-scale and full-scale experimental and computational work to monitor direct impacts from thermal plumes, relative humidity, vent blockage, and door-opening behaviors on the air flow in a controlled air environment.
On the small scale, fume hoods provided testing conditions that verified direction of airflow, pressure differences, and allowed for a scale-up of computational methods. Air clearance was observed in every configuration of fume hood use, with various adverse events causing an immediate decrease in fume hood flow rate. The pressure gradient in the hood steadily increased from the inlet or face of the hood to the outlet or exhaust of the hood, as expected.
On the full scale, verification was done at the OR at Montefiore Hospital. Computational models were build using AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. They were then rendered in ANSYS, and provided a fluid environment for use in Fluent. Initial and boundary conditions from experimental data were compiled using the Testo dP 440 and Turbulence probe, and included inlet velocities of 24.6 ± 4.5 feet per minute (FPM), pressure differences from 2-12 Pa from the exhaust vents to the air inlet, and an average air temperature of 64.0 ℉ (17.8 ℃). Steady state convergence confirmed unidirectional air clearance from the ceiling inlet to the two exhaust vents in the OR. Vent blockage did not allow for air clearance, causing air recirculation in the bulk of the room and stagnation in the corners of the room. Pressure remained constant and average air temperature increased by 0.54 ℉ (n = 200). Door opening studies of both the door leading to the patient hallway and the door leading to the OR staff room greatly disrupted air flow, displacing air from the intended direction to the space outside each door. The room depressurized within 1-2 seconds in each case, causing air to leave the patient door in the OR up to 208 ± 97 FPM in the case of unblocked air vents.
Computational convergence was verified by checking for conservation of mass, temperature stabilization, and pressure stabilization after green gauss node based of least-square cell-based methods.
Keti Vaso
Evaluation of the Regenerative Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomes for Annulus Fibrosus Repair and Controlled Delivery Using Hydrogel-embedded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres
In collaboration with Professor James C. Iatridis, Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is a common spinal condition that causes pain, disability, and a socioeconomic burden on patients. Surgical discectomy is the current standard of care, but it is unsuccessful in preventing recurrent herniation because it fails to address the IVD’s poor healing capacity and repair annulus fibrosus (AF) defects. Therefore, there is an unmet clinical need to develop therapeutic strategies that promote endogenous AF repair. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are shown to promote regenerative tissue repair, but research on their application within the IVD is still in its infancy. The current study aimed to: (1) successfully characterize mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and evaluate their ability to promote regenerative AF repair, and (2) develop a biodegradable delivery system consisting of hydrogel-embedded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres for the controlled release of encapsulated exosomes. AF cells were treated with exosomes preconditioned in either hypoxic or normoxic culture conditions. Experimental results showed that hypoxic exosomes led to greater proliferative and migratory responses and were therefore utilized in downstream applications. Hypoxic exosome pre-treatment protected AF cells from inflammatory and catabolic damage induced by an in vitro biochemical challenge. In parallel, a PLGA microsphere delivery system was successfully fabricated and integrated with an injectable interpenetrating network hydrogel system to allow for controlled exosome delivery. Short-term and long-term studies revealed that the composite hydrogel system did not significantly increase herniation risk or decrease pH to levels that would be associated with a degenerative microenvironment. Finally, a proof-of-concept study showed that exosomes could be successfully encapsulated within the microspheres and released from the composite hydrogel system over three weeks. These results suggest that targeted delivery of exosomes is a promising therapeutic strategy for regenerative AF repair.
On the small scale, fume hoods provided testing conditions that verified direction of airflow, pressure differences, and allowed for a scale-up of computational methods. Air clearance was observed in every configuration of fume hood use, with various adverse events causing an immediate decrease in fume hood flow rate. The pressure gradient in the hood steadily increased from the inlet or face of the hood to the outlet or exhaust of the hood, as expected.
Kevin Chen
An Investigation into Electrospun Scaffolds Containing Ion-Exchange Resins for Direct Capture of CO2 from Ambient Air
Co-Advised with Professor Amanda Simson
As climate change becomes more apparent, growing concern over anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions motivates researchers to develop more effective and efficient technologies for CO2 capture. In particular, carbon capture in ambient air, known as direct air capture, can be used to reduce CO2 emissions from nonlocalized sources. Although there is a significant amount of research on materials for CO2 capture, many of these materials are expensive or difficult to prepare. One class of materials recently applied for CO2 adsorption are ion exchange resins (IERs) that are advantageous due to their high surface area, low cost and ability to be easily regenerated by moisture swing. The IER reacts with water to release captured CO2, potentially performing a lower cost alternative to the standard temperature swing regeneration.
In this work, we investigated an electrospun scaffold of polystyrene, polyethylene oxide and polycaprolactone as a support for a commercial IER to determine whether it can improve its CO2 adsorption behavior. Undoped scaffolds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), neutron magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging to determine fiber spinnability and diameters. Scaffolds were doped with a commercial A500 IER provided by Purolite and imaged with light microscopy. CO2 adsorption and desorption experiments were performed to verify the improvement from electrospinning at IER weight loadings of 16, 23, 28 and 32% wt using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at temperatures ranging from 40 to 70°C. Electrospun IERs (ES-IERs) had higher CO2 adsorption than the A500 IER at all conditions tested, with adsorption capacities up to 80% higher and adsorption rates up to 126% higher than the baseline IER. Increasing IER loadings resulted in improved CO2 adsorption capacities, with diminishing improvement above weight loadings of 28%.
Data was fit to several kinetic models and by minimizing least squares it was found that the Avrami’s fractional kinetic model, with nA = 1.24-1.30 for the A500 IER and nA = 1.41-1.82 for the ES-IER, was the best fit. This indicates that the A500 IER and ES-IER have similar adsorption growth and mechanisms, with nA values between 1 and 2. Activation energies were determined to be -1.06 kJ/mol for the IER and -7.87 kJ/mol for the ES-IER. The improved performance of ES-IERs present a promising material for carbon capture, that offers opportunities for energy and cost savings as the rates and capacities for carbon capture are improved with electrospinning.
Mahir Alam
Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations of Airflow and COVID-19 Particle Studies in Operating Rooms
Operating rooms (ORs) have a higher pressure compared to its surroundings to prevent air entering the OR. In addition, ORs are designed to have a laminar airflow (LAF) system to prevent the spread of contaminants that may arise from either hospital personnel or the patient. However, a door-opening results in the rapid depressurization of the OR and disrupts the airflow which may cause an undesirable spread of airborne contaminants. The onset of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) introduced a new problem as the primary spread of COVID-19 is through airborne particles. An OR at Montefiore Hospital was used to create computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models to analyze airflow patterns and track COVID-19 particles released from a surgical patient’s mouth. A free-standing high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter was later included to study additional COVID-19 risk outcomes. Scenarios involving door openings showed bulk airflow moving toward the opened door. Particles followed the bulk airflow resulting in a larger spread of contaminated particles which put the staff at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Inclusion of a free-standing HEPA filter showed an increase of velocity up to 44% at the patient door and 10% at the staff door in certain door opening scenarios. The effect of the free-standing HEPA filter increased airflow near the doorways and away from the patient and staff, but also showed a larger spread of particles. On average, outlet vents dropped below the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) minimum for 0.6 seconds in any case with a door opening event, regardless of the inclusion of a free-standing HEPA filter. However, the inclusion of the free-standing HEPA filter shortened the time under ASHRAE standards, by 0.2 seconds on average. Additionally, the free-standing HEPA filter was most effective if the airflow patterns produced by the LAF system were not disrupted. In all cases, door opening scenarios caused a greater amount of COVID-19 particles to be airborne, which increased the risk of the staff contracting COVID-19.
Edward Huang
Fabrication of Electrospun Polystyrene-Polyethylenimine Fibers for Direct Capture of CO2 from Ambient Air
Co-advised with Professor Amanda Simson
Greenhouse gas emissions have grown over the past decades. As the effects of climate change impact more people, carbon capture has been suggested as a tool for climate change mitigation. Carbon capture in ambient air, known as direct air capture, can be used to capture CO2 from non-localized sources. Although there are many materials capable of carbon capture, few have demonstrated commercial viability on a large scale. Currently, liquid alkanolamines are used in absorption to scrub post-combustion flue gases, but the process requires enormous quantities of energy to regenerate. Instead, an alternative involves impregnating amines onto a solid surface for adsorption. Amine-based adsorbents have been studied for their higher surface area, lower cost, and ease of regeneration.
In this work, we investigate electrospun fibers of polyethylenimine cospun with polystyrene for their carbon dioxide adsorption behavior. Fibers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and light microscopy. CO2 adsorption and desorption experiments were performed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at temperatures between 30°C and 80°C. Samples with 20wt% PEI to 80wt% PS in a 13wt% polymers to 87wt% solvent were found to have the highest equilibrium adsorption capacity at 0.92 mmol CO2/gram adsorbent.
TGA was used to determine the ideal operating conditions for carbon dioxide adsorption. Although equilibrium adsorption capacity should decrease and adsorption rate should increase with increasing temperatures, 60°C was the optimal temperature for both adsorption capacity and adsorption rate. To investigate this further, fibers were exposed to a higher “treatment” temperature before lowering the temperature. A 60°C heat pre-treatment led to improved adsorption capacities compared to samples not treated, even when the adsorption capacity was run at lower temperatures. It is believed that a structural change in the fibers at higher temperatures caused structural changes in the adsorption process leading to the increased capacity.
Paulo Serodio
Development of an Expression and Purification System for Recombinant Human Tropoelastin
Co-advised with Dr. Radmila Janjusevic
Abstract redacted for patent purposes
Angela Huang
Increasing the Yield of Recombinant Human Tropoelastin: Steppingstones Toward the Production of Affordable Elastin-based Biomaterials
Co-advised with Dr. Radmila Janjusevic
Abstract redacted for patent purposes
Olivia Kim
Development of Photoprotective Transdermal Patches for The Controlled-Release of Vitamin C Targeting Acne Vulgaris and Hyperpigmentation
Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common skin condition that causes inflammation, pain, and psychological burden on individuals. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an associated skin condition that proceeds the onset of AV. In-office procedures to treat AV and PIH may be inaccessible to those afflicted with these conditions, and available over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can cause unwanted side effects like sensitivity and irritation. A popular remedy is hydrocolloid patches, which are transdermal patches (TDP) designed to promote healing of AV. However, these patches do not treat PIH caused by AV. Vitamin C, known as L-ascorbic acid (LAA), is clinically shown to alleviate AV and improve PIH. However, it is highly susceptible to degradation upon exposure to air and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The aims of this study were to: (1) formulate a UV-blocking TDP backing film; (2) assess the efficacy of these films to prevent LAA degradation; and (3) create a delivery system to mediate a controlled release of LAA. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was cast with varying ratios of zinc oxide (ZnO), demonstrating greater UV protective qualities with increased amounts of ZnO. Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mats also added UV protection. TPU films with ZnO reduced LAA degradation by 76% compared to those without ZnO. The encapsulation of LAA in B-cyclodextrin (B-CyD) was successful and the controlled release profile was studied over 10 h. The extended-release study revealed that the release kinetics of this system did not exhibit burst release and instead closely followed a zero-order model, with R2 = 0.9882. Over 10 h, 55 ± 2% of the LAA was released at an average rate of 0.53 ± 0.12 mg/h for the first 5 h and 0.31 ± 0.31 mg/h for the last 5 h. These results indicate that TDPs with ZnO loaded TPU backing films and LAA-loaded B-CyD are a promising system to protect LAA from degradation and enable the controlled release of LAA to treat conditions such as AV and PIH.
Anastasiya Islamova
A Novel Device for the Delivery of Hydrogel Technologies to Prevent Vaginal Toxicity and Promote Healing after Pelvic Radiotherapy
Abstract redacted for patent purposes
Jared Sealy
Biological Responses of Genomically Unstable Prostate Cancer to Alpha Particle Radiation
In collaboration with Dr. Michael McDevitt, Attending Radiochemist in the Department of Radiology at Memorial Hospital and a Member in the Sloan Kettering Institute
Abstract redacted for publication purposes
1. Invited Keynote Speaker. 5th International Biennial Biomaterials and Novel Technologies for Healthcare Conference, October 2026, Rome, Italy
2. Invited Special Symposium Speaker. European Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, September 2026, Madrid, Spain
3. Invited Education Research Workshop and Q&A. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, March 2026, Charlotte, North Carolina
4. Invited Keynote Speaker. European Orthopaedic Research Society, International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery, and the AO Research Institute Orthopaedics joint annual meetings, June 2025, Davos, Switzerland
5. Invited Translational Research Talk. Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH MATERIALS Institute, April 2025, Weiz, Austria
6. Invited Translational Research Talk. Università di Bologna, April 2025, Bologna, Italy
7. Invited Educational Research Talk. Technische Universität Graz, April 2025, Graz, Austria
8. Invited Translational Research Talk. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, April 2025, Rome, Italy
9. Invited Translational Research Talk. Technische Universität Graz and Universität Graz, March 2025, Graz, Austria
10. Invited Q&A. The Chemists’ Club of New York, Nov. 2024, New York, NY
11. Invited Translational Research Talk. Politecnico di Milano, June 2024, Milan, Italy
12. Invited Translational Research Talk. Rowan University, December 2023, Glassboro, New Jersey
13. Invited Translational Research Talk. AO Research Institute, June 2023, Davos, Switzerland
14. Invited Education Research Talk/Panelist. European Orthopaedic Research Society Women in Leadership Webinar, March 2023, Virtual
15. Invited Education Workshop.American Institute for Chemical Engineers/American Society for Engineering Education Chemical Engineering Summer School, July 2022, Golden, Colorado
16. Invited Translational Research Talk. Oxford University, May 2022, Oxford, England
17. Invited Education Workshop. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Feb. 2022, Tampa, Florida
18. Invited Career Panelist. The Chemists’ Club of New York, Nov. 2021, New York, New York
19. Invited Moderator. John J. Iselin Memorial Lecture, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Dec. 2020, Virtual
20. Invited Translational Research Talk. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Oct. 2019, New York, New York
21. Invited Translational Research Talk. Pace University, Sep. 2016, New York, New York
22. Invited Translational Research Talk. Pace University, Nov. 2013, New York, New York
23. Invited Translational Research Talk. Yale University, Dec. 2012, New Haven, Connecticut
24. Invited Translational Research Talk. Pace University, Nov. 2012, New York, New York