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Noah Bedard is a third-year bioengineering graduate student in Professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory who is developing a handheld confocal microscope for in vivo detection of oral cancer. His research involves the combination of engineering principles and cancer biology to facilitate translational research with clinicians at UT M.D. Anderson. Noah has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
“One of the biggest strengths of the Med Into Grad program is being at M.D. Anderson. The experiences gained from facility, doctors and patients have taught me important lessons about the strengths and weaknesses of cancer treatment. It was amazing to see fluoroscopy during catheter placement, CT-guided biopsies, and radiation treatment planning; but frightening to witness late stage cancer, how much tissue they excised in surgery, and the lack of detailed understanding of many diseases and drug mechanisms. My time at M.D. Anderson has motivated and enabled me to do research that will have a direct impact on cancer patients.”
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Lissett Ramirez Bickford is currently a third-year bioengineering graduate student and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow in Associate Professor Rebekah Drezek's Optical Molecular Imaging and Nanobiotechnology laboratory. Her research involves the development of a surgical guidance system to enhance intraoperative delineation of breast cancer tumor margins using both silica-based gold nanoshells and optical imaging tools. Lissett has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.
"Working directly with patients has given me a new level of enthusiasm and inspiration for doing cancer research. This experience has really personalized my desire to make improvements in the early detection of cancer and in developing superior treatment options."
 To watch a short video of Lissett discussing her experiences during clinical rotations click here. (Requires Windows Media Player .)
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Andrew Coughlin is a second-year bioengineering graduate student, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, and a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellow in Professor Jennifer West's Laboratory for Biofunctional Materials / Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. Andrew is investigating ways to use nanoshells for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to cellular imaging and photothermal ablation of cancer. He has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a B.S. in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University.
“In choosing a graduate program, I wanted to go to a school that would help me learn how to make positive changes in health care. Rice and the BioE Med into Grad Program have definitely helped me to accomplish this. The experience has been a powerful motivator for me to do research that will ultimately matter for cancer patients.”
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Emily Shannon Day is a third-year graduate student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Professor Jennifer West's Laboratory for Biofunctional Materials / Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. She studies the use of nanoshells for photothermal ablation of cancer. Upon exposure to a near-infrared laser, nanoshells convert light energy into heat, which can cause irreversible damage to tumor cells. Specifically, she is working on targeting mechanisms to increase tumor uptake of the nanoparticles and minimize distribution to the rest of the body. Emily has a B.S. in Physics from the University of Oklahoma.
"The Med Into Grad program has been absolutely amazing! I have been inspired by working with the patients. Being able to see their emotional reactions to procedures and treatments has helped me determine the sorts of things that need to be improved upon. Talking with the doctors and patients has also given me a deeper appreciation for all the possibilities of bioengineering. It is great to meet people that are as enthusiastic about this program as the students are. Also, taking anatomy during my first summer was both exciting and useful. Now that I have seen the complexities of the human body, I will better understand how engineering plays a role in the advancement of medicine."
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Nastassja Lewinski is a third-year bioengineering graduate student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Associate Professor Rebekah Drezek's Optical Molecular Imaging and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory. Her research interests include exploring the potential of using quantum dots for in vivo disease detection by understanding the mechanisms behind quantum dot toxicity, and addressing public policy concerns on nanoparticle safety. Nastassja has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.
"My Med Into Grad experience has been enlightening. Every aspect, from our crash course in gross anatomy to daily clinical rotations, brings about new ideas for improving current cancer treatment methods. Seeing how physicians and patients heavily rely on technology has also increased my motivation towards finding new methods of detecting cancer early."
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Jair Martinez received his degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey.
"The Med Into Grad program provides a true interdisciplinary and integrative approach where we experience what true cancer research is all about. Being part of M.D. Anderson has enriched our scientific formation from a clinical perspective. I firmly believe that at the end of this two year program we will be able to perform valuable translational research to generate novel approaches for cancer diagnosis/treatment."
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Darren Roblyer is a fifth-year bioengineering graduate student in Professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory. His research investigates multimodal optical imaging for the detection and delineation or oral cancer. Darren has designed and constructed a microscope that is currently being used in several clinical trials at M.D. Anderson. He collaborates closely with head and neck surgeons and pathologists at M.D. Anderson to correlate imaging results to histopathology. Daren has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.
"The Med Into Grad program has been an excellent experience that brings biomedical engineers into the clinical setting! While working on my Ph.D., I've collaborated directly with interdisciplinary teams of physicians and medical scientists, and interacted with patients to develop more effective treatments for cancer."
To watch a short video of Darren discussing his experience during surgical rotations click here. (Requires Windows Media Player.)
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Kelsey Rosbach is a third-year bioengineering graduate student in Professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory. Her research involves the use of molecular-specific contrast agents to enhance the optical detection of oral cancer. Kelsey is applying her Med Into Grad training toward the development of less expensive and invasive screening and diagnosis methods, as well as accurate margin detection during surgery. She has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
"I've enjoyed my Med Into Grad experience. The program is unique to Rice, and I wouldn't have gotten the clinical experience elsewhere. Working with patients has been very motivating for me, and has served as a good reminder that research must translate into results in a clinical setting."
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Jennifer Saik is a second-year bioengineering graduate student in Professor Jennifer West's Laboratory for Biofunctional Materials / Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. She is using modified hydrogels as biomimetic scaffolds to promote angiogenesis for vascularized engineered tissues. Jennifer has a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia.
“I've really enjoyed spending time with patients in the clinics. The knowledge and experience I've gained while in the Med Into Grad program has allowed me to begin to bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic, and in translating my research into novel clinical applications.”
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Dong Suk Shin is a first-year bioengineering graduate student in Professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory. Enhanced field-of-view and high-resolution imaging techniques are allowing doctors to effectively screen an entire lesion to identify suspicious areas while detecting the cellular characteristics of pre-cancerous lesions. Dong is designing a hybrid optical-imaging system with multi-spectral modes and sub-cellular resolution that will allow physicians to detect cancer earlier and more effectively. Dong has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Hong-Ik University and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University in Korea.
"This experience has provided me with a valuable opportunity to collaborate with TMC physicians and apply my engineering know-how to develop new technoligies in point-of-care diagnostics. In a relatively short period of time, I have a greater understanding of the value of engineers and physicians working together in the clinical setting."
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Siva Srikukenthiran is a second-year bioengineering graduate student in Associate Professor Rebekah Drezek's Optical Molecular Imaging and Nanobiotechnology laboratory. His research interests are in tracking the biodistribution of injected nanoparticles for tumor therapy, and in the improvement of the delivery of both imaging and therapeutic agents via linkages to magnetically controlled nanoparticles. Siva has a B.S in Engineering Science, specializing in Biomedical Engineering, from the University of Toronto.
"Med Into Grad has provided me with both valuable exposure to the clinical environment and a wider range of knowledge from the medical community. I have a grater understanding of cancer and what's necessary to consider when developing technologies and treatments. From the hands-on anatomy course, to patient and physician interaction, to the in-depth cancer courses, the program has provided me with an important perspective when moving forward in my bioengineering research.”
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Nadhi Thekkek is a third-year bioengineering graduate student and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Professor Rebecca Richards-Kortum's Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging Laboratory. Her research interests include the development of novel imaging strategies that utilize both endogenous contrast and exogenous contrast agents to better detect early cancers in the esophagus. Nadhi has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University.
"Seeing what cancer patients go through, I am motivated to not only conduct research, but to conduct translational research. I want to see that the devices, imaging modalities, and therapeutic agents that we create in the lab be used for the benefit of these patients.
To advance cancer detection and therapy, it is important to get an idea of what is currently being used as the 'standard of care.' That is what we are learning about at M.D. Anderson. Additionally, it is vital that we speak to doctors, nurses, and technicians about how current technologies should be improved. They know what has been used to treat these patients, and they know, first hand, where improvements must be made.
The opportunity to rotate through various onocological departments at M.D. Anderson has also provided us with the insight we need to take the next steps in early cancer diagnosis and treatment. I am thankful for the experience."
To watch a short video of Nadhi discussing her experience with the Med Into Grad program click here. (Requires Windows Media Player.)
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