Lab Alumni
Graduate Students

Dana Rutherford
Project: Biocomposites for cardiovascular applications
B.S. Chemical Eng, UC Santa Barbara, 2013
M.Sc. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2018


Wensen Jiang
Project: Biodegradable materials and  nanopatterned surfaces for cardiovascular  applications
B.S. Materials Science & En, Central South University, 2013
Ph.D. Materials Science & En, UC Riverside, 2018
Currently: Tongji University


Naiyin Zhang
Project: the effect of magnetic nanocomposites on  stem cell functions
B.S. Biomedical Eng, SW Jiaotong University, 2013
Ph.D. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2017

Cheyann Wetteland
Project: Magnesium oxide based nanocomposites for bone repair & composite hydroogel for minimally invasive injectable therapies for osteoporosis
B.S. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2012
Ph.D. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2017

Radha Daya
Project: Synthesized and characterized curcumin coated magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery applications
B.S. Biomedical Eng, UC Davis, 2015
M.Sc. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2017

Qiaomu Tian
Project: Electrophoretic deposition of nanocomposites on biodegradable metals
B.S. Met & Env Eng, U Sci & Tech, Beijing, 2011
M.Sc. Mat Sci & Eng, UC Riverside, 2012
Ph.D. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2016
Currently: Postdoc at University of Chicago.

Nathan Driver
Project: Neural device engineering
B.S. Biomedical Eng, Univ North Carolina, 2013
M.Sc. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2016
Currently: engineer at Dexcom Inc.

Pedro Soria Jr.
Project: Investigating the efficacy of magnesium sulfate as a neuroprotective agent using human neural stem cell in vitro modal
B.S. Biology pre-med, Cal State U of San Bernardino, 2014
M.Sc. Stem Cell Biology, UC Riverside, 2016 

Aaron Cipriano
Project: Surface modification of biodegradable magnesium alloys for medical implants and in vivo studies
B.S. Mech Eng, Cal Poly Pomona, 2006
M.Sc. Materials Science & Eng, UC Riverside, 2015
Ph.D. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2016

Ian Johnson
Project: Design, fabrication, and in vitro evaluation of biomimetic coating for biodegradable magnesium implants
B.S. Marine Science, Texas A&M, 2003
Ph.D. Bioengineering, UC Riverside, 2015
Currently:  research scientist in US army medical command

Catherine Augello
Project: Biocompatible Conductive Materials for Neural Regeneration
B.S. Biochemical Engineering, Rice University, 2011
Currently: Ph.D. student in Bioengineering at UCR

Thanh Yen Nguyen
Project: Biocompatible Conductive Materials for Neural Regeneration
B.S. Biochemical Engineering, UC Davis, 2010
Currently: Ph.D. student in Bioengineering at UCR

Jaclyn Lock
Project: Nanocomposite Fabrication for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering
M.Sc. Bioengineering, University of California at Riverside, 2013
B.S. Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2010
Currently: Ph.D. student at Northeastern University

Meriam Sebaa
merdwerd[at]gmail.com
Project: Biocompatible Conductive Materials for Neural Regeneration
M.S. Bioengineering, University of California at Riverside, 2012
B.S. Physics, UC Irvine, 2010
Currently: Materials/Process Engineer at Parker Hannifin Corporation Medical System Division

Maria Iskandar
Project: Development of Nanostructured Calcium Phosphate Coatings for Controlling Biodegradation of Magnesium Implants
M.S. Bioengineering, University of California at Riverside, 2012
B.S. Civil Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, 2009
Currently: Engineer at Baxter Healthcare

Shan Dillon
M.S. Bioengineering, University of California at Riverside, 2011
B.S. Mathematics, University of California at Riverside, 2005
Currently: Pursuing a M.D. degree at Western University of Health Sciences

Milan Draganov
milan.draganov[at]hotmail.com
Project: Anti-Microbial and Degradation Studies of Magnesium
M.S. Bioengineering, University of California at Riverside, 2011
B.S. Biochemistry, California State University of Fullerton, 2010
Currently: Validation technician at Peregrine Pharmaceuticals

Ruby Kandah
Project: Design of Vasculature-like Macro-to-Micro fluidic Device for Extracorporeal Assessment of Vascular Biomaterials
B.S. Neuroscience,  UC Riverside, 2010
Currently: Pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at University of Massachusetts at Lowell



Undergraduate Students

Christopher Miller
Project: Anodization of Mg for orthopedic implant applications
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2014

Myla Tayoba
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2014

Anisha Butala
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2014

Vannessa Guzman
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2014

Amy Sallee
Project: In vitro degradation and cytocompatibility of Magnesium alloys with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells for orthopedic implant applications
B.S. Biology, California State University San Bernardino, 2013
BNL 2013-Current

Andrew Whall

Ugochi K. Ezekwo

Lauren Wong

Juyeun Moon

James Tu
Project: Degradation Study on Potential Magnesium-based Biodegradable Devices for Urological Applications
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2013

Tejas Patel
Project: Bioresorbable Metallic Interference Screws for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction – An Evaluation of Mechanical and Degradation Properties
B.S. Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, 2012

Salvador Garcia
Project: Observing the Biodegradation Properties of Magnesium Alloys on the Proliferation and Differentiation of both Human Embryonic and Induce Pluripotent Stem Cells
B.S. Biology with Chemistry Minor, California State University San Bernardino, 2011