2A: PANEL: The Evolving Nature of Global Biomaterials Research

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: Centennial III/IV
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Looking into the future, viral pandemics, environmental pollution, climate change and an evolving set of major aging-related diseases have the potential to create new global health needs. As a consequence, the research priorities of biomaterials science have to evolve so that biomaterials research can remain relevant to future global health challenges. In this symposium, we will identify the "big themes" that will become increasingly important in the future - both for academia and industry.

Moderators:

Joachim Kohn, Ph.D, FBSE
Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University
President, International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering (IUS-BSE)

Buddy Ratner
Professor | Chemical Engineering
Professor | Bioengineering
University of Washington

  • 3:45 PM. 57. Talk by Joachim Kohn, International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering Speakers Dr. Joachim Kohn
  • 3:45 PM. 58. Talk by Buddy Ratner, University of Washington Speakers Buddy Ratner
  • 3:45 PM. 59. Talk by Michael Sefton, University of Toronto Speakers Michael Sefton

2B: Biomaterial-Tissue Interaction SIG

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: Centennial I
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Events that follow binding of the first host ion to an implant’s surface are dictated by reactions not well understood for any biomaterial or device. Understanding these events is the purpose of the Biomaterial-Tissue Interaction Special Interest Group. Only through such understanding can one definitively answer such questions as: “Why did it fail?” and “What led to its success that we can apply to future devices?” These answers will come from such fields as physiology, immunology, pathology, biomechanics and material science. They will apply to the subjects of every other SIG in the Society. All those interested in the mechanisms of host-implant interaction are welcome to join BTI's quest.

Moderators:

Thanh Nguyen
Associate Professor, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Engineering
University of Connecticut

Dr. Amir Miri
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Shatil Shahriar
University of Nebraska Medical Center

  • 3:45 PM. 60. Microstructure-Driven Modeling of Phonation Using a Biomimetic Vocal Fold Model.Leila Donyaparastlivari, M.Sc.1, John Pryce IV, B.Sc.1, Ann Austin, B.Sc.1, Ayda Pourmostafa, M.Sc.1, Chen Shen, Ph.D.2, Amir K. Miri, Ph.D.1 1New Jersey Institute of Technology, 2Rowan University
  • 4:00 PM. 61. Cell Compartmentalization in Three-Dimensional Tissue Models.Jinfeng Zeng, PhD1, Michiya Matsusaki, Ph.D.1 1The University of Osaka
  • 4:15 PM. 62. Impact of Diabetes on Fracture Healing and Implant Integration: A Biomechanical Study in Lewis Rats.Sumedha Guha, MS1, Rohan Raja, BS1, Danieli Rodrigues, PhD1, Claudia Biguetti, DDS, MSc, PhD2 1University of Texas at Dallas, 2University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
  • 4:30 PM. 63. Poly (ethylene glycol) Immunogenicity: Does it Impact the Host Response to Hydrogels?Mahmood Zabihi1, Varsha Rajavel1, Patricia Pitty-Montgomery1, Daniel Alge, PhD1 1Texas A&M University
  • 4:45 PM. 64. Multiplexed Adhesion Cues Increase Stem Cell Spreading in Hydrogels.Abolfazl Moghaddam, MS1, Grace Kennedy1, Ruby Franck1, E. Thomas Pashuck1 1Lehigh University
  • 5:00 PM. 65. Ingestible Fibrous Capsule for Nonendoscopic Sampling at the Esophageal–Tissue Interface for Cancer Screening.Shatil Shahriar1, Jingwei Xie1 1University of Nebraska Medical Center

2C: Bioinspired Materials for Therapeutics

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Drawing inspiration from natural systems, researchers have engineered materials that mimic biological structures and functions to enhance tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and wound healing. The session showcases innovations in smart hydrogels, self-healing polymers, and nanocomposites that respond dynamically to physiological environments. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches combining materials science, biology, and engineering to address clinical challenges.

Moderator:

Yaoying Wu
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Syracuse University

  • 3:45 PM. 66. Transforming C. neoformans from Pathogenic Invader to Drug Deliverer for Neurological Diseases.Clinton Smith, B.S.1, Zhenyu Wang, M.S.1, Stephanie Miller, B.S.1, Daniel Stafstrom, B.S.1, Grace Koch1, Audrey Gonzalez1, Jamal Lewis, Ph.D.1 1University of Florida
  • 4:00 PM. 67. Development of Dendritic Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Antigen-Specific T-Cell Engagement.Yaoying Wu1, Sao Puth1, Ali Zareein1, Shruti Jadhav1, Mina Mahmoudi1, Jimmy Blauser-Wilson1 1Syracuse University
  • 4:15 PM. 68. Influence of Lyophilized Hemostatic Supplementation on Structural and Mechanical Clot Properties.Jason Brandon1, Pierce Shipp1, Juliana Briggs1, Nicholas Rocchio-Giordano1, Katelin Rahn1, Jack Killinger1, Clifford Morgan2, Leslie Neidert2, Philip Spinella1, Susan Shea1, Emily Mihalko1 1University of Pittsburgh, 2JBSA-Ft Sam Houston
  • 4:30 PM. 69. Phospholipid-Mimetic Cationic Polymers Enable Membrane Fusion–Mediated Nucleic Acid Delivery.Tatsuro Goda, Ph.D.1, Fanlu Meng1 1Toyo University
  • 4:45 PM. 70. Vascular tissue regeneration for rescue of critical limb ischemia.Abhishek Roy, PhD1, Bobak Shadpoor1, Vivek Kumar, PhD1 1University of Houston
  • 5:00 PM. 71. Self-driving nanomotor for precise and rapid colorectal cancer therapy.Wenwen Liu1 1The University of Hong Kong

2D: Ophthalmic Biomaterials SIG

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: Hanover AB
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

The Ophthalmic Biomaterials Special Interest Group focuses on both the development and biocompatibility testing of materials for the augmentation and replacement of diseased ocular tissues and the development and testing of drug delivery systems to the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Some specific areas of interest include but are not limited to: wetting of surfaces; surface modification and protein adsorption of polymers used for refractive devices; transport through polymers, drug delivery systems, and technologies; vitreous replacement fluids; retinal tamponades, and glaucoma drainage devices for the regulation of intraocular pressure.

Moderators:

Dr. Aliasger Salem
Associate Vice President for Research
University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy

Muhammad Rizwan
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dr. Jessica Gluck
Assistant Professor
North Carolina State University

  • 3:45 PM. 72. Murine Evaluation of an Albumin-Derived Complex and Nanoparticle Delivery System for Early AMD Treatment.Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, PhD1, Amna Abdalbaqi, MS1, Nagaraj Kerur, DVM, PhD1, Matthew Ohr, MD1, Andre Palmer, PhD1 1The Ohio State University
  • 4:00 PM. 73. Improving Glaucoma Surgery Outcome via Lymphangiogenic Growth Factor Delivery through Antioxidative Hydrogel.Zixi Chen, Bachelor of Science1 1Northwestern University
  • 4:15 PM. 74. Zwitterionic Tissue Expanders Reduce Infection and Fibrosis for Enhanced Biocompatibility.Stephanie Fung, PhD1, Matthew Aronson, PhD2, William Katowitz, MD1, Riccardo Gottardi, PhD2, James Katowitz, MD1 1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2University of Pennsylvania
  • 4:30 PM. 75. Microfluidic Engineering of Ubiquinol-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Ocular Delivery in FECD.Swathi Kalidindi, SK1, jessica skeie, JS1, pornpoj phruttiwanichakun, JP1, Mohammad Alnatour, PhD1, Divya Bande, DB1, mark greiner, MG1, Aliasger Salem, PhD1 1University of Iowa
  • 4:45 PM. 76. Biostable Upconverting Perovskite Quantum Dots for Enhanced Retinal Photosensitivity.Nitisha Mehrotra1, Yifan Zhu, Ph.D1, Ajayan Pulickel, PhD1, Crystal Shin, Ph.D2, Jun Lou, Ph.D1, Ghanshyam Acharya, Ph.D2 1Rice University, 2Baylor College of Medicine
  • 5:00 PM. 77. Injectable Hydrogels for Long-Term IOP Reduction by Suprachoroidal Space Expansion.Daniel Ng1, Yooree Chung, PhD2, Zachary Thomas1, Shinyoung Park1, C. Ethier, PhD3, Mark Prausnitz, PhD1 1Georgia Institute of Technology, 2Emory University, 3Emory University School of Medicine

2E: Biomaterials for Cellular Engineering

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: Hanover CDE
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Engineered biomaterials that functionally shape intracellular and plasma membrane microenvironments are expanding the biomaterial toolkit for cellular engineering. Looking beyond biomaterials as extracellular support scaffolds, this session will showcase and stimulate progress towards biocompatible biomaterials that closely interact with cellular machinery to engineer, expand and report cell functionality. Relevant examples consider programmable intracellular assembly of proteins and synthetic polymers, and cell surface functionalization with engineered proteins, nanomaterials and molecularly-defined polymer-lipid conjugates. We encourage contributions spanning fundamental studies (i.e., early design principles and proof-of-concept) and emergent applications across therapeutically-relevant cell types, from probiotic bacteria to human immune and stem cells.

Moderators:

Felipe Quiroz
Assistant Professor
Emory University School of Medicine

Cole DeForest
Professor, Bioengineering
University of Washington

  • 3:45 PM. 78. Engineered Hydrogels Extend Survival and Distribution of Transplanted Plasma Cells.Ameya Dravid, PhD1, Eshant Bhatia, PhD1, Graham Barber1, Shwetha Sridhar1, Andrés García, PhD1, Ankur Singh, PhD1 1Georgia Institute of Technology
  • 4:00 PM. 79. Intrinsically Disordered Protein Polymers Assemble Biocompatible Organelle-Like Biomaterials in Human Cells.Spencer Hayes, M.S.1, Maria Camila Giraldo-Castaño, B.S.1, Mariell Pascual, B.S.1, Kevin Tao, M.S.2, Felipe Quiroz, PhD3 1Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 2Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University
  • 4:15 PM. 80. Cyborg Mammalian Cells as Robust, Non-replicating Biosynthesis Micromachines.Luis Eduardo Contreras Llano1, Jared Lee-Kin1, Shahid Khan1, Aijun Wang1, Cheemeng Tan1 1University of California, Davis
  • 4:30 PM. 81. Novel Methacryloylated Food-Grade ECM for Tissue Engineering.Vinicius Marchiori da Silva1, Alan Brown1, Vipuil Kishore1 1Florida Institute of Technology
  • 4:45 PM. 82. Tunable polymer properties impact siRNA delivery to human articular chondroprogenitor cells.Phillip Hernandez1, Sophie Biegel1, Kenneth Weekes1, Robert Guldberg1, Danielle Benoit1 1University of Oregon
  • 5:00 PM. 83. Delivery of Peptide Coacervates to Form Stable Interaction Hubs in Cells.Wangjie Tu, MS1, Rachel Theisen, BS1, Pengfei Jin, BS1, David Chenoweth, PhD1, Amish Patel, PhD1, Matthew Good, PhD1 1University of Pennsylvania

2F: Bridging Science and Market: Commercial Pathways for Biomaterials

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: Hanover FG
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Post-market commercialization pathways for advanced biomaterial technologies
How biomaterial biocompatibility shapes clinical performance and long-term commercial value
Lessons learned in scalable manufacturing, quality control, validation, analytical troubleshooting, failure analysis, and reproducibility

  • 3:45 PM. 84. Commercializing a Class III Medical Device: Lessons Learned with AeroVeil.Lauren Costella, ME1, Kate Johnson1, Christopher Tison, PhD1 1Luna Labs USA
  • 4:00 PM. 85. Commercialization of Polymeric Heart Valve Technology: Clinical Translation and Market Entry of a Surgical Mitral Valve.Ryan Stanfield, PhD1, Morteza Gharib, PhD2, David Grainger, PhD1, Kaushal Pandey, MS, MD3, Isaac George, MD4 1University of Utah, 2California Institute of Technology, 3PD Hinduja Hospital, 4Columbia University
  • 4:15 PM. 86. Hybrid Fiber Meshes for Soft Tissue Reinforcement, Repair, and Regeneration in Breast Reconstruction.Shatil Shahriar1, Jingwei Xie1 1University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • 4:30 PM. 87. Failure Analysis of Hydrogels: Case Studies in the Biomedical Space.Abigail Oelker1, Mike Kratochvil1, Naomi Clayman1, Jessica Vargas1 1Exponent
  • 4:45 PM. 88. Innovative Silicone Rubber Compositions with Anti-Biofilm Characteristics for Preventing Medical Device Infections.David Vachon, Ph.D.1, Mark Vachon, B.S.1 1IASIS Molecular Sciences, Inc.
  • 5:00 PM. 89. Standardized Procedures and Process Monitoring Enable Scalable, Reproducible Polymer Nanoparticle Production.Kenneth Sims, PhD1, Emma Schmitz, BS1, Dean Constantine, BS1, Sam Farrar, MS1, Phil Denen, BS1, Pong Thongsavanh, BS1, Ashlee Colbert, PhD1, Andrea McCue, PhD1, Danielle Huk, PhD1, Gabe Meister, PhD1 1Battelle Memorial Institute

2G: Peptide Biomaterials for Therapeutic Applications

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: GH East AB
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

Peptides are chemically defined and possess a wide range of biofunctions including ligand binding, proteolytic susceptibility, and self-assembly. Owing to these features, peptide-based biomaterials show wide range of capacities to encapsulate payload, to engage cellular receptors, to respond to stimuli and surrounding environments, and to modulate cell functions as drug or immune antigens. We will feature recent advances in the development of biomaterials including, but not limited to, peptides acting as bioactive components, peptides functioning as targeting ligands, and peptides serving as scaffold building blocks, for therapeutic applications.

Moderators:

Era Jain
Assistant Professor, Biomedical and Chemical Engineering
Syracuse University

  • 3:45 PM. 90. Recycling Tissue: Autologous Burn Derived Peptides for Wound Healing.Teja Guda1, Kameel Zuniga, PhD2, Alisa Isaac, PhD3 1The University of Texas at San Antonio, 259 MDW/ST, 3St. Mary's University
  • 4:00 PM. 91. Selective Protein Sequestration using Affibody-Conjugated Polyethylene Glycol-Maleimide Microparticles.Andy Huang, MASc1, Claire Saxman1, Juan Garcia, BS1, Marian Hettiaratchi, Ph.D.2 1University of Oregon, 2University of Oregon Knight Campus
  • 4:15 PM. 92. Glycosaminoglycan-Peptide Conjugates Targeting VCAM-1 in a Microfluidic Model of Sickle Cell Disease.Anderson Cerqueira1, Kirby Fibben2, Daniel Tep1, Wilbur Lam2, Alyssa Panitch1 1Georgia Institute of Technology, 2Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University
  • 4:30 PM. 93. Development of Peptide Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein​.Joey LaValla, BS, Bioengineering1, Jennifer Singleton1, Santiago Rivero1, Jada Goff, BS, Bioengineering1, Alyson Schwartz, B.S.2, Audrey Wessinger, BS, Bioengineering3, Jessica Larsen, PhD Chemical Engineering1, Angela Alexander-Bryant, PhD Bioengineering1 1Clemson University, 2University of Delaware, 3University of Pennsylvania
  • 4:45 PM. 94. Self-Assembling GHK-Containing Peptides for Accelerated Wound Healing.Vânia Castro1, Ana Rita Araújo1, Rui Reis1, Iva Pashkuleva1, Ricardo Pires1 1University of Minho
  • 5:00 PM. 95. Sustained activity of enzyme-functionalized supramolecular hydrogel with microparticle-encapsulated substrate.Ryan Clark, BS1, Benjamin Keselowsky, PhD1, Gregory Hudalla, PhD1 1University of Florida

2H: 3 Minute Thesis

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM
Room: GH East CD
Session Type: Concurrent Session 2

Description

In a 3-Minute Thesis (“3MT”) Competition, students present a single static slide as a compelling summary of their dissertation research and its broader impacts. Presentations must be at most three minutes. 3MT is a great way to think about how to convey the significance of your work.

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