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Principal Investigator
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Graduate Students and Staff
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Undergraduate Students
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Alumni
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Out and About
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My work focuses on the mechanical and signaling interactions that occur between cells and extracellular matrix, with particular focus on the late provisional extracellular matrix. I completed my B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering, before moving into Biomedical Engineering. I did my PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where I worked with Lew Romer and Chris Chen. I went on to do post-doctoral research at Duke University Medical Center, focusing on molecular biology tools for studying extracellular matrix proteins, under the direction of Harold Erickson. I joined VCU as an Assistant Professor in 2012 and was promoted to Associate Professor (with tenure) and Graduate Program Director in 2017. I currently serve as the Associate Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department at VCU. My lab is funded by NIH and NSF.
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Michael Sofroniou
Doctoral Candidate B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech | 2018
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Michael Sofroniou joined the Lemmon Lab in 2018. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with a research focus on how autocrine TGF-β1 and fibrillar fibronectin coordinate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Aside from his research endeavors, he also volunteers with VCU's learning gardens and has previous served as Secretary for the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Council, circulating a monthly newsletter of department-wide activities and networking events. In his spare time, Michael is an avid gardener and connoisseur of sweet confections. Upon completion of his dissertation, he intends to continue his work as a scientist and educator in his field.
Molecular Biology
Mechanobiology Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition TGF-B1 Signaling Dynamics
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caleb dalton
Doctoral Candidate B.S. Biomedical Engineering, VCU | 2019
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Caleb Dalton joined the lab as an undergraduate in 2017. He received his B.S. from VCU in 2019. His current research focuses on 1) Fibronectin fibril mechanical properties and mechanisms of assembly, and 2) force generation and force generation and migration response to mechanical anisotropy and chemical gradients. He enjoys learning new things and producing meaningful results from hard work. He is a focused and straightforward but always up for a quick laugh. He strives to tackle all conversations from the multidirectional approach of logic, scientific reasoning and a foundation of faith while critically and unbiasedly studying adverse or alternative positions and philosophies. When not working or studying, he likes to fish, golf, play tabletop games, and watch films.
Biology
Engineering Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics Physics / Optical Tweezing
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kristin kim
Graduate Student B.S. Biomedical Engineering, VCU | 2020
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Kristin Kim joined the lab as a VCU undergraduate in 2017 and received her B.S. in 2020. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Her research investigates the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in 3D acinar structures, focusing on cell-ECM interactions that drive changes in cell behavior. She was accepted to the IGNITE KUH training program in 2020 that focuses on improving the translation of basic research to clinical research with a focus on kidney, urology, and hematology. She is currently the TA and Curriculum Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Council (BGSC). Outside of research, she enjoys painting/ sketching.
3D Cell Dynamics
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Kidney Fibrosis Computational modeling of 3D cell systems
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caitlin williams
Accelerated Masters B.S. Biomedical Engineering, VCU | 2022
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Caitlin Williams is a Master's student in the Accelerated Master's program. Her work focuses on the role of low oxygen environments on cellular signaling and environment, specifically proteins and signaling involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. When she's not in the lab, Caitlin enjoys crafting and baking, and can usually be found working on her latest crochet project or trying new recipes in her small apartment kitchen. Caitlin (like the rest of the lab) is fully addicted to caffeine, and loves trying new coffee shops around Richmond.
EMT
pH | Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase Immunofluorescence Microscopy PCR
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nadiah hassan
Lab Manager B.S. Biomedical Engineering, VCU | 2016
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Nadiah Hassan received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at VCU. She investigates fluorescent reporters in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and serves as the lab manager. When not working, Nadiah is an avid writer and daydreamer.
Immunofluorescence Microscopy
EMT
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Undergraduate Researchers
Alex Posey
Posey is a Chemistry major in their senior year. Their research focuses on the effects of TGF-β, gossypol, and hypoxia on the pH in epithelial cells. Outside of the lab, Posey enjoys trying new foods and experimenting with new recipes, exploring Richmond, and playing with their roommate's cat. |
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Graduate Students
Brian Griffin (MS) 2022
Tommy Petet (PhD) 2022 | Research Recovery Coordinator, LifeNet Health LifeSciences
Jiten Narang (PhD) 2022 | Bio-Soft Lithography Engineer, Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems
Lewis Scott (PhD) 2019 | Postdoctoral Scholar, Genentech, Inc.
Lauren Griggs (PhD) 2018 | Director of Multicultural Engineering, Penn State University
Hilmi Humeid (MS) 2018 | Scientist, Molecular Genomics
Ann Wang (MS) 2015 | VCU CLS PhD Program
Yas Maghdouri-White (PhD) 2014 | Senior R&D Scientist, Embody, LLC
Undergraduate Students
Obiutodike Nnabugwu 2022 | REU student from Penn State
Hanhsen Zhao 2020 | VCU BME PhD Program
Chloe Tenebaum 2020 | REU student from Virginia Tech
Nicole Rinaldi 2018 - 2019 | REU student | BU PhD Program
Halston Deal 2019 | UNC/NC State BME PhD Program
Ariana DeCastro 2018 | University of Maryland BME PhD Program
Devin Mair 2017 | Johns Hopkins University BME PhD Program
Sarah Saunders 2017 | VCU MechE PhD Program
Sarah Poole 2017 | Ionica Sciences
Tiffany Wong 2016 | Accenture
Roshni Malik 2016 | Quality Engineer, Edwards Lifesciences
Sindhu Marampudi 2016 | VCOM
Brittany Martinez 2015 | UVA Pharmacology PhD Program
Dalton Berrie 2014 | Process Engineer, Ology Bioservices, Inc
Kirubel Feleke 2014
Clint Yeaman 2014 | Physician Resident, UVA
Brian Griffin (MS) 2022
Tommy Petet (PhD) 2022 | Research Recovery Coordinator, LifeNet Health LifeSciences
Jiten Narang (PhD) 2022 | Bio-Soft Lithography Engineer, Harvard University Center for Nanoscale Systems
Lewis Scott (PhD) 2019 | Postdoctoral Scholar, Genentech, Inc.
Lauren Griggs (PhD) 2018 | Director of Multicultural Engineering, Penn State University
Hilmi Humeid (MS) 2018 | Scientist, Molecular Genomics
Ann Wang (MS) 2015 | VCU CLS PhD Program
Yas Maghdouri-White (PhD) 2014 | Senior R&D Scientist, Embody, LLC
Undergraduate Students
Obiutodike Nnabugwu 2022 | REU student from Penn State
Hanhsen Zhao 2020 | VCU BME PhD Program
Chloe Tenebaum 2020 | REU student from Virginia Tech
Nicole Rinaldi 2018 - 2019 | REU student | BU PhD Program
Halston Deal 2019 | UNC/NC State BME PhD Program
Ariana DeCastro 2018 | University of Maryland BME PhD Program
Devin Mair 2017 | Johns Hopkins University BME PhD Program
Sarah Saunders 2017 | VCU MechE PhD Program
Sarah Poole 2017 | Ionica Sciences
Tiffany Wong 2016 | Accenture
Roshni Malik 2016 | Quality Engineer, Edwards Lifesciences
Sindhu Marampudi 2016 | VCOM
Brittany Martinez 2015 | UVA Pharmacology PhD Program
Dalton Berrie 2014 | Process Engineer, Ology Bioservices, Inc
Kirubel Feleke 2014
Clint Yeaman 2014 | Physician Resident, UVA