8A: PANEL: Intellectual Property and Start Up Companies

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: Centennial III/IV

Description

Translating biomaterials research into impactful products requires more than scientific innovation—it also demands strategic navigation of intellectual property (IP) and entrepreneurship. This panel will bring together experts from academia, industry, and legal sectors to discuss key considerations in protecting intellectual property and launching start-up companies in the biomaterials and biomedical space.

- The discussion will cover topics such as:
- Basics of IP protection: patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing
- Timing and strategy for patent filings during academic research
- Common pitfalls and best practices for academic inventors
- University tech transfer office roles and collaboration
- Forming and funding a start-up: from SBIR/STTR to venture capital
- Navigating conflicts of interest and maintaining research integrity
- Case studies of successful (and failed) commercialization efforts

This interactive session will be especially valuable for trainees, early-career researchers, and faculty interested in translating their work into commercial applications. Attendees will gain practical insights into how to protect their ideas, engage with tech transfer professionals, and build a roadmap toward commercialization. Panelists will represent a diversity of perspectives, including academic founders, IP attorneys, investors, and technology transfer officers.

Moderator:

Aliasger Salem, Ph.D
Lyle and Sharon Bighley Endowed Chair & Professor / Associate Vice President for Research
University of Iowa | College of Pharmacy

  • 10:30 AM. 403. Talk by Mark Prausnitz, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • 10:30 AM. 404. Talk by Sarah Sapouckey, University of Iowa
  • 10:30 AM. 405. Talk by Eunji Chung, University of Southern California
  • 10:30 AM. 406. Talk by Aliasger Salem, University of Iowa

8B: Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials 2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: Centennial I

Description

Materials that respond to environmental stimuli, such as heat, light, pH, or biological signals, provide unique tools for environmentally-responsive and/or temporal changes in biomaterial properties over time. This session will focus on materials, including hybrid materials, that can be stimulated with a variety of physiological and external stimuli to achieve desired outcomes. Research related to the use of stimuli-responsive materials that respond to endogenous or exogenous signals to (1) trigger drug delivery, (2) study and control the cellular response to microenvironmental changes, and/or (3) drive tissue regeneration and disease treatment is of particular interest.

Moderators:

Mary Beth Monroe
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Texas A&M University

  • 10:30 AM. 407. Ultrasound-Responsive Biomaterial Platform for Modeling Breast Cancer Progression in the 3D Microenvironment.Kevin Schilling, PhD1, Katherine Huynh, PhD2, Olivia Foster, PhD2, Mary Lowrey2, Alexandra Tihomirov Bukchin, PhD2, Sean Speese, PhD2, Carolyn Schutt Ibsen, PhD2 1Oregon Health& Science University, 2Oregon Health and Science University
  • 10:45 AM. 408. In Vitro Characterization of Shape Memory Polymer Foam Hemostatic Dressings in Compressible and Non-Compressible Wound Models.Maya Yagan1, Ernest Emmanuel Obeng1, Sevde Can1, Mary Beth Monroe1 1Texas A&M University
  • 11:00 AM. 409. Adhesive, Thermoresponsive Hydrogels to Construct Subcutaneous Glucose Biosensors.Carolina Martinez1, Theodore Ferrell1, Varshitha Krishnan1, Melissa Grunlan, Ph.D.1 1Texas A&M University
  • 11:15 AM. 410. Patterning Biological Function in 4D via Irreversible Protein Photoactivation.Naomi Nam1, Cole Deforest, PhD1, Brizzia Munoz-Robles1 1University of Washington
  • 11:30 AM. 411. A Dual-Wavelength Controlled, Photo-Liquifiable, and Photo-Crosslinkable Hydrogel System for Biomedical Applications.Jian Zhang, Ph.D1, Li Wang, Ph.D1, Cong Meng, M.S.1 1NC State University
  • 11:45 AM. 412. Dynamic Gelatin-Based Dithiolane-Norbornene Hydrogels for iPSC Differentiation.Favour Afolabi1, Chien-Chi Lin, PhD1 1Purdue University
  • 12:00 PM. 413. Design of Peptide-Polyester Conjugates for Cell-Directed Scaffold Remodeling.Korina Vida Sinad1, Natasha Hunt1, Srujan Singh2, Kelly Seims1, Yingjie Wu1, E. Thomas Pashuck1, Warren Grayson, PhD2, Lesley Chow1 1Lehigh University, 2Johns Hopkins University
  • 12:15 PM. 414. Impact of Hydrolytic Degradation on Stimuli-Responsive 3D Printed Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.Lorin Danielsen, B.S.1, Jason Burdick, Ph.D.2, Timothy White, Ph.D.2 1CU Boulder, 2University of Colorado Boulder

8C: Engineering Cells and Their Microenvironments SIG
2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Description

The Engineering Cells & Their Microenvironments Special Interest Group focuses on technologies and approaches at the single-cell level and the engineering of cellular microenvironments. This includes designing dynamic cues within biomaterials to regulate cell signaling and stem cell fate, as well as advancing stem cell manufacturing and differentiation, immunoengineering, and biomaterials for cell-based detection and diagnosis.

Moderators:

Brian Kwee, Ph.D
Assistatn Professor | Biomedical Engineering
University of Delaware

Julianne Holloway
Associate Professor | School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
Arizona State University

  • 10:30 AM. 415. Controlled Delivery of Polyester of Alpha Ketoglutarate to Enhance BMP2-Mediated Bone Repair.Margaret Dugoni, MS1, Elizabeth Zars Fisher, MS2, Emily Mahadevan, MS1, Xiaodong Li, MS2, Madhan Mohan Chandra Sekhar Jaggarapu, PhD3, Jennifer J Westendorf, PhD2, Abhinav Acharya, PhD3, Julianne L Holloway, PhD1 1Arizona State University, 2Mayo Clinic, 3Case Western Reserve University
  • 10:45 AM. 416. Behavior of engineered adipose-derived stem cells in mineralized collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds.Jaejung Kim1, Dhyanesh Baskaran1, Hua Wang1, Brendan Harley2 1University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
  • 11:00 AM. 417. Neural Stem Cell Expansion in Granular Scaffold Reveals Porosity-Dependent Viability.Jonathan Florian, B.S.1, Remington Martinez, B.S.1, Chris Highley, Ph.D.1, Kyle Lampe, PhD1 1University of Virginia
  • 11:15 . 418. Patient Specific Colloidal Fibrillar Composites to Augment Equine Distal Limb Wound Healing.Sanika Pandit1, Adrienne Ward2, Shannon Connard3, Alexa Kuyvenhoven2, Anastasia Sheridan-Muñana2, Lauren Schnabel2, Ashley Brown, PhD4 1NC State, 2NC State University, 3Cornell University, 4North Carolina State University
  • 11:30 PM. 419. Topographic Priming Imprints Migratory Memory for Navigating Discontinuous Cues in Heterogeneous Extracellular Matrix.Poorya Esmaili Bambizi1, mehran mansouri, PhD1, Vinay Abhyankar, PhD1 1Rochester Institute of Technology
  • 11:45 PM. 420. A Simple, High-Accuracy Patterning Technique to Investigate Interfacial Guidance of Collective Migration.Dinindu De Silva1, Vinay Abhyankar, PhD1, Poorya Esmaili Bambizi1, Indranil M. Joshi, PhD1, Sami Farajollahi1 1Rochester Institute of Technology
  • 12:00 PM. 421. Viscosity-Tuned Transfection and Optimized Lipid Nanoparticles Enable DNA Delivery to Suspension T Cells.Jingyao Ma, M.S.1, Yining Zhu, PhD1, Junru Liao1, Milun Jain1, Wu Han Toh1, Leonardo Cheng1, Hai-Quan Mao, PhD1 1Johns Hopkins University
  • 12:15 PM. 422. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging in a Bone Marrow-Mimetic Model.Truc Dinh1, Charlotte Stevens1, Dallin Jacobs2, Nathan Bribiesca2, Aidan Gilchrist, Ph.D.2, Connor George1 1University of California, Davis, 2Univeristy of California, Davis

8D: Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Biointerfaces: Strategies to Prevent Device-Associated Infections 2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: Hanover AB

Description

Translating Antimicrobial Biomaterials into Clinical Impact
Focus: This session focuses on the translation of antimicrobial biomaterials toward real-world clinical solutions for preventing and managing device-associated infections. Presentations highlight self-defensive and antibiotic-free surface technologies, biomimetic and nanoparticle-enabled coatings, peptide-functionalized and self-assembled antimicrobial interfaces, and smart materials for infection monitoring in wounds.

Moderators:

Shikha Nangia, Ph.D
Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor
Syracuse University

Hongjun Wang, Ph.D
George Meade Bond Endowed Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology

  • 10:30 AM. 423. Antimicrobial Self-Defensive Surfaces that Promote Healing while Reducing Infection.Matthew Libera1 1Stevens Institute of Technology
  • 11:00 AM. 424. Antibiotic‑Free Polyethylenimine Synergized Biomimetic Antibacterial Nanoparticle Metal Implant Coatings Create Anti‑Adhesive, Antibiofilm Surfaces.Juliane Hopf, PhD1, Carlie Kudary1, Prakash Nallathamby, Ph.D.1, conor Sheehan, BS1, Deborah Donahue, BS1, Victoria Ploplis, PhD1, Francis Castellino, PhD1 1University of Notre Dame
  • 11:30 AM. 425. Self-assembled antimicrobial surfaces inhibit bacterial colonization of PCL surfaces.Yunhua Guo1, Matthew Libera1, Zhuozhuo Yin2, Hongjun Wang1, Anand Wadurkar3, Shikha Nangia3, Nicole Gill4, Karin Sauer4, David Davies4, Claudia Marques4, Benjamin Paren1 1Stevens Institute of Technology, 2stevens insitute of technonlgy, 3Syracuse University, 4Binghamton University
  • 11:45 AM. 426. Mechanochromic Smart Materials for Infection Surveillance in Chronic Wounds.Thalma Orado, MPH1, Bethany Yashkus2, Richard Chandradat, PhD.3, Samantha Zysk, Msc.4, Zachary J. Geffert, PhD.4, Ernest E. obeng, Msc.1, Pranav Soman, PhD.4, Xiaocun Lu, PhD.3, Mary Beth Monroe1 1Texas A&M University, 2Wilkes University, 3Clarkson University, 4Syracuse University
  • 12:00 PM. 427. Implementing Multiple Surface Modification Strategies for Reducing Bacterial Adhesion.Gaurav Pandey1, Li-Chong Xu2, Christopher Siedlecki2 1Pennsylvania State University, 2Penn State College of Medicine
  • 12:15 PM. 428. Peptide functionalization of Titania Nanotube surface, Enhancing Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Properties.Ramesh Singh1, Ketul Popat1 1George Mason University

8E: Immune Engineering SIG 2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: Hanover CDE

Description

Over the past decade the focus of many bioengineers and clinicians has been shifting towards "immune engineering" approaches that include but are not limited to engineered biomaterials for vaccines, immunotherapy (immune-modulation), cell and gene therapy, immune microenvironment engineering, and systems immunology. These research areas embrace a comprehensive list of translational immunology-associated problems including chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, aggressive cancers, allergies, etc. The purpose of the Immune Engineering SIG is to bring together emerging ideas and provide a venue for professional interaction to a large number of academic and industrial research groups and scientists working in these areas.

Moderators:

Joshua Doloff, Ph.D
Johns Hopkins University

Abhinav Acharya
Associate Chair for Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Case Western Reserve University

  • 10:30 AM. 429. Programmable microparticles rewire CAR signaling to enable super-physiological expansion of human T cells in vitro.Xiao Huang1 1Drexel University
  • 10:45 AM. 430. Adhesive Nonfibrotic Interfaces: Spatial Transcriptomic Atlas and Mechanistic Insight.Bastien Aymon1, Jiayi Liu1, Layan AlSharif1, Jianzhu Chen, Dr.1, Xuanhe Zhao, Dr.1 1Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • 11:00 AM. 431. Synthetic Niches Enable Immunological Profiling and Early Prediction of Type 1 Diabetes Progression.Jyotirmoy Roy1, Yifei Jiang1, Amod Talekar1, Peter Sajjakulnukit1, Jessica King1, Lillian Holman1, Shahzad Sohail1, Brianna Ha1, Costas Lyssiotis1, Lonnie Shea1 1University of Michigan
  • 11:15 AM. 432. Placental-Mimicry Macroencapsulated Cell Therapy Delays Bystander Cell Rejection in Xenogeneic Model.Shivani Hiremath, MS1, Chishiba Chilimba, MS1, Aditya Misra, B.S.E.1, Jessica Weaver, Ph.D.1 1Arizona State University
  • 11:30 AM 433. Systemic mRNA vaccine priming and pulmonary circRNA vaccine booster elicited robust lung mucosal immunity for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the immunotherapy of lung metastatic melanoma.Guizhi Zhu, PhD1 1University of Michigan
  • 11:45. 434. Harnessing Nanoscale Oligonucleotide Presentation to Overcome Tumor Immunosuppression.Michelle Teplensky, PhD1 1Boston University
  • 12:00 PM. 435. Harnessing DNA-based vaccines to generate lung-resident immunity.Siyi Zheng1, Meredith Davis1, Michael Vannini1, Joseph Mizgerd1, Michelle Teplensky, PhD1 1Boston University
  • 12:15 PM. 436. Cancer-inspired microparticles drive differential modulation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells and potentiate diverse polarization in T cells.Krishna Gaddam1, Allen B Tu1, Reuben Abraham1, Jamal Lewis, Ph.D.1 1University of florida

8F: Biomaterials for Regenerative Engineering
2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: Hanover FG

Description

Regenerative engineering aims to develop functional, bioactive, and instructive biomaterials and approaches for regeneration of tissues through convergence of engineering, medicine, developmental biology, and stem cell science. This symposium will highlight recent trends in development of functional biomaterials that play active roles in controlling cellular behaviors and tissue regeneration. We will include different classes of biomaterials such as proteins, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, fibers, metals, ceramics, and hydrogels for applications in regenerative engineering. The biomaterials that can direct cell fate and promote differentiation will also be highlighted by this session. Moreover, the biomaterials that can facilitate drug delivery and immunomodulation will be covered through oral and poster presentations. Translational strategies for taking these biomaterials from ‘Bench to Bedside’ will also be discussed during the symposium. We expect that our interdisciplinary session including material science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine will be of great significance to the clinicians, industry members and academia.

Moderators:

Gulden Camci-Unal, Ph.D
Professor | Chemical Engineering, Center for Pathogen Research & Training (CPRT)
UMass Lowell

Carolyn Schutt Ibsen, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine
Oregon Health & Science Univeristy

  • 10:30 PM. 437. Programmed Release of Surface-Functionalized Mitochondria Enhances Uptake by Cells in a Rat Calvarial Defect Model
  • 10:45 PM. 438. Nettle-Inspired Microneedle Platforms for Theragenerative Skin Cancer Therapy.Chan Ho Moon, B.S. Candidate1, Yubeen Park, M.S.2, Jung-Hoon Park, Ph.D.2, Hyun-Do Jung, Ph.D.1 1Hanyang University, 2Asan Medical Center/University of Ulsan College of Medicine
  • 11:00 AM. 439. Electro-Assisted Direct Ink Writing (E-Writing) of Poly(lactic Acid) (PLA)/Chitosan/Ganoderma Lucidum Mycelium Scaffolds for Advanced Burn Wound Healing. Libin Yang1, Kenan Song1 1University of Georgia
  • 11:15 AM. 440. Synergistic Bioactivity of Chitosan/Agarose/Gelatin Hydrogels Functionalized with Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes: From Physicochemical Features to Biological Performance.Marcin Wekwejt, PhD1, Florence Desgagne2, Silvia Rodriguez-Fernandez, PhD2, Elliot Cournoyer3, Pascale Chevallier, PhD2, Vanessa P. Houde, Prof.3, Diego Diego Mantovani, Prof.2 1CHU de Quebec & Laval University / Gdańsk University of Technology, 2CHU de Quebec & Laval University, 3Laval University
  • 11:30 AM. 441. Development of scaffolding material with “blood vessel-like” properties to control sustained release of glucose for large-sized tissue engineering.Panitporn Laowpanitchakorn, M.Eng.1, Marie Piantino, Ph.D.1, Michiya Matsusaki, Ph.D.1 1The University of Osaka
  • 11:45 AM. 442. Modulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior within a Recombinant Porous Polypeptide Scaffold.Emily Song1, Rachael Putman1, Ashutosh Chilkoti, PhD2 1Duke University, 2Duke
  • 12:00 PM. 443. Phase-separated injectable hydrogels with tunable microporous structures enhance transplanted cell survival and therapeutic efficacy for tissue regeneration.Akihiro Nishiguchi1, Hana Yasue1, Tetsushi Taguchi1 1National Institute for Materials Science
  • 12:15 PM. 444. Enhancing Angiogenic Expression of hMSCs using Deferoxamine-Loaded Collagen Scaffolds.Genesis Rios Adorno, MS1, Alison Nunes2, Chitra Subramanian, Ph.D.1, Mark Cohen, MD1, Brendan Harley3 1University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, 3University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

8G: Cardiovascular Biomaterials SIG

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: GH East AB

Description

The Cardiovascular Biomaterials Special Interest Group has the mission to foster the professional interaction and address the common concerns of academic and industrial scientists and engineers, clinicians, and regulatory professionals concerned with the discovery, research, development, and use of biomaterials for cardiovascular devices and implants. This includes a broad range of cardiovascular biomaterial strategies used to guide stem cell differentiation, terminally-differentiated vascular cell phenotype, antibacterial properties, and inflammation and remodeling in vivo.

  • 10:30 AM. 445. Electrowritten Resorbable Metallo-Elastomer Conduits for Next-Generation Vascular Repair.Ying Grace Chen, Ph.D.1 1Rowan University
  • 10:45 AM. 446. Delivering Engineered Heart Tissue without Open Surgery to Repair Heart Attack Damage.Shatil Shahriar1, Jingwei Xie1, Wuqiang Zhu, MD, PhD2 1University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2Mayo Clinic
  • 11:0 AM. 447. A Polymer Milestone: Five Years of Prosthetic Polymer Heart Valve Leaflets in Humans.Ryan Stanfield, PhD1, Morteza Gharib, PhD2, David Grainger, PhD1, Steven Yakubov, MD3 1University of Utah, 2California Institute of Technology, 3OhioHealth Methodist Hospital
  • 11:15 AM. 448. E-cardiac patch for heart repair.Malcolm Xing, PhD1, Xingying Zhang, PhD1 1University of Manitoba
  • 11:30 AM. 449. Multi-Layered and Injectable Cryogel Scaffolds for Targeted Tissue Adhesion.Morgan Riffe, M.S.1, Nikolas Di Caprio, PhD1, Matthew Davidson, PhD1, Jason Burdick, Ph.D.2 1University of Colorado-Boulder, 2University of Colorado Boulder
  • 11:45 AM. 450. Conductive Heart-derived ECM Hydrogels to Improve hiPSC-CMs Maturation.Jiazhu Xu, PhD1, Joel Aboagye2, Yufeng Wen1, Marcella Edwards2, Zining Yang1, Huikang Fu1, Huaxiao Yang, PhD.2, Yi Hong, PhD1 1The University of Texas at Arlington, 2University of North Texas
  • 12:00 PM. 451. Matrix Viscoelasticity Regulates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Atherosclerosis.Shivesh Anand, PhD1, Michelle Huang1, Ishita Jain, PhD1, Alexa Berezowitz1, Paul Cheng, MD PhD1, Sarah Heilshorn, PhD1, Ngan Huang, PhD1 1Stanford University
  • 12:15 PM. 452. Magnetoactive hydrogels to probe how curvature directs endothelial cell mechanosensing and function.Avinava Roy, M.S.E1, Grace Hinds, B.S.2, Claudia Loebel, M.D., Ph.D2 1University of Michigan, 2University of Pennsylvania

8H: 3D Bioprinting for Developing Personalized Models 2

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Room: GH East CD

Description

Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a practical and commonly accessible biofabrication tool for a wide range of applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because it has a unique ability to precisely position bioinks, cells, and/or biomolecules into spatially organized structures. 3D bioprinting can be conveniently used to develop personalized implants, in vitro disease models, and drug screening platforms as well as tissue replacements. In this session, we
will highlight the advances and recent trends in 3D bioprinting technologies, development of multi-functional biomaterials, novel bioink formulations, clinical translation of bioprinting, current challenges and future perspectives, 4D bioprinting, and a wide range of medical applications of 3D bioprinting approaches. In addition, we will cover multi-scale manipulation strategies for biomaterials and cells to engineer physiologically relevant 3D in vitro models, and emerging advances in 4D printing of stimuli-responsive biomaterials for precision medicine.

Moderators:

Murat Guvendiren
Associate Professor | Chemical & Materials Engineering
New Jersey Institue of Technology

Gulden Camci-Unal, Ph.D
Professor | Chemical Engineering, Center for Pathogen Research & Training (CPRT)
UMASS Lowel

  • 10:30 AM. 453. The potential of high crystalline nano-hydroxyapatite in inhibiting breast cancer cell adhesion and proliferation.Ella Glorioso1, Alexa Agesen1, Weitong Chen, Ph.D.1, Timothy Burg, Ph.D.1, Karen Burg, Ph.D.1 1University of Georgia
  • 10:45 AM. 454. Bioactive Composite Support Bioinks for Enhanced Osteogenesis in Dense Cellular Constructs.Hang Truong1, Murat Guvendiren1 1New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • 11:00 AM. 455. Embedded Bioprinting of 3D Perfusable Channels in Alginate Using Calcium Chloride-Loaded Fugitive Ink.Calvin Chernyatinskiy1, Bruce Gao1 1Clemson University
  • 11:15 AM. 456. High-Throughput In Vivo Screening of Bioinks for Improved Vascular and Hepatocyte Engraftment.Fan Zhang1 1University of Washington
  • 11:30 AM. 457. 4D Bioprinting of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-laden Dynamic Hydrogels for Bone Regeneration.Shangsi Chen1, Boguang Yang1, Liangbin Zhou1, Rocky Tuan1, Zhong Alan Li1 1The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • 11:45 AM. 458.
  • 12:00 PM. 459. 4D Engineered Collagen-Nanosilicate Biphasic Scaffold for Bone-Ligament Regeneration.Diya Pillai Babu1, Ananiah Piango1, Yingnan Zhai1, Linxia Gu1, Akhilesh Gaharwar2, Vipuil Kishore1 1Florida Institute of Technology, 2Texas A&M University
  • 12:15 PM. 460. 4D microfluidic platform for cell culture studies.Durante Pioche-Lee1, Sasha Cai Lesher-Pérez2 1Univeristy of Michigan, 2University of Michigan-- Ann Arbor