Mary Gates Research Scholar, Winter 2023
Research Project: Fabrication of a Vascularized Liver Model to Support Hepatocytes in 3D Culture
Project Description: I am developing a vascularized liver model using collagen “vessels.” The liver has a unique regenerative capacity, and while the regeneration process has been evaluated, the triggers of the intracellular pathways are not clear. Further research would be beneficial to the improvement of liver disease treatment, and the model I am working on addressed several limitations in the field. Specifically, I integrate vasculature and relevant cell types to develop a more representative model.
What have you learned throughout your research project?
I have been able to learn how to drive and plan my own research project. It’s taught me a lot of skills related to organization and time management, and also shown me the value of support from mentors!
What piece of advice do you have for future applicants?
Being able to integrate different parts of your life into different application components is crucial to making your application impactful. Making connections between the various work that you do, whether it is personal interests or coursework, and seeing how it applies to your research is what I believe makes applicants stand out.