Postdoctoral fellows
Roberto Alonso Matilla, Ph.D.
Roberto's research aims to potentiate antitumor immunotherapy efficacy against solid tumors.
Odde Lab project: T cell migration
Degrees:
- Ph.D., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2018
- M.Sc., Engineering Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 2014
- B.S., Industrial Engineering, 2010
Roberto's papers elucidate biophysical mechanisms underlying the behavior of complex biological systems.
Sarah Anderson
Sarah's research investigates the mechanism of cell migration in glioblastoma and anti-glioblastoma T cells.
Odde Lab projects: Glioblastoma migration, T cell migration
Current program: Biomedical Engineering PhD program, University of Minnesota
Degrees:
- B.S., Engineering, Harvey Mudd College, 2017
Sarah co-authored one paper with Steven Tan and Alex Dunn from Stanford University developing an updated motor-clutch model to describe their experimental results. She also has two other papers in preparation: one identifying the mechanism of cell migration in glioblastoma, and the other describing CD8+ T-cell migration in mouse brain slices.
In her free time, Sarah loves to be outdoors! Her hobbies include running, biking, climbing, and hiking.
Graduate students
Nikolaos Memmos
Optimization of immunotherapies for glioblastoma, using mathematical modeling.
Odde Lab project: Agent-based modeling, T-cell migration, CD200 checkpoint immunotherapy
Current program: Chemical Engineering and Materials Science PhD program, University of Minnesota
Degrees:
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 2017
Riley Manning
Riley's research focuses on exploring migration and immune response differences between glioblastoma subtypes using in vivo and in vitro experimental methods as well as agent-based computational modeling.
Odde Lab projects: Cancer cell migration, mouse glioma models, Brownian dynamics-based tumor simulations
Current program: Biomedical Engineering PhD program, University of Minnesota
Degrees:
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Alabama, 2018
The publication from Riley's undergraduate research focuses on the influence of ECM stiffness on the behavior of brain metastatic breast cancer cells in biomimetic hydrogels.
Hobbies and interests: Reading, running, yoga, and traveling
Aamir Ansari
For his Ph.D. project, Aamir aims to optimize immunosurveillance in glioblastoma.
Odde Lab project: T cell migration
Current program: Chemical Engineering PhD program, University of Minnesota
Degrees:
- M.Tech., Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore, India), 2019
- B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology (Nagpur, India), 2017
Aamir has two papers from his master's, where he investigated how interactions shape the community structure of a microbiome.
Hobbies and interests: Cricket and soccer
Katie Vopat
The focus of Katie's PhD project will be disabling glioblastoma cell migration by targeting CD44 or related proteins.
Odde Lab project: glioblastoma cell migration
- M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 2022
- B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 2021
The publication from Katie's undergraduate research is a review on the properties and clinical effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticles.
Hobbies and Interests: exploring Minneapolis, reading, spending time with friends
Lauren (Ruyi) Li
Lauren’s research focuses on the development of glioblastoma in mice model as well as examining cellular signals related to different types of glioblastoma as well as the immune responses related to them.
Odde Lab project: glioblastoma migration
Current program: Biomedical Engineering PhD program, University of Minnesota
Degrees:
- B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 2022
Hobbies and interests: Baking, dancing.
Ali Mohammad
Ali has focused his research efforts on modeling biosystems using numerical simulations and computational fluid dynamics.
Odde Lab project: T cell migration
Degrees:
- M.Sc., Aerospace Engineering, Major in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (Tehran, Iran), 2021
- B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, IAUCTB (Tehran, Iran), 2017
Ali enjoys soccer and snooker, plays volleyball, and closely follows NBA games. Iranian food is often on his menu, and he is a big fan of trying different food from different countries.
Research staff
Brian Castle, Ph.D.
Brian's research focuses on optical imaging and quantitative analyses of cellular dynamics and tumor microenvironments.
Odde Lab project: Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Microenvironments
Degrees:
- Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2014
- B.A., Biology, Gustavus Adolphus College, 2008
Brian's publications combine biophysical modeling and quantitative optical imaging to analyze cellular processes.
Menal Abdella
Menal's research is looking at T-cell adhesion and migration on 2D substrates.
Odde Lab project: T-cell migration
Degrees:
- B.A., Chemistry, Macalester College, 2023
Hobbies and interests: Trying new foods, watching reality TV, and knitting.
Ibrahim Irfanullah
Ibrahim is studying cell proliferation and migration in prostate cancer cell lines.
Odde Lab project: Prostate cancer migration and proliferation
Degrees:
- BBmE, Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2023
Medical students
Brooke Braman
Brooke is investigating subtype specific response of glioblastoma to chemoradiotherapy.
Odde Lab projects: Glioma cell migration, response of glioblastoma to chemoradiotherapy
Current program: Medical student, University of Minnesota Medical School
Degrees:
- BBmE, Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2018
Emmanuel Fâlé
Emmanuel is investigating cellular pathways activated through EGFR and Integrin signaling and the effects on cell survival and proliferation in GBM.
Odde Lab project: Glioblastoma Multiform Migration Patterns
Current program: Medical student, University of Minnesota Medical School
Degrees:
- B.S., Biomedical Engineering, Gannon University, 2018
Advisees and former lab members
Completed postdoctoral fellowships
Completed postdoctoral fellowships
Bruce Gao, Ph.D.
University of Miami, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
2000-2003
Current position: Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
[email protected]
Theodore (Ted) Tower, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
2001-2002
Current position: Technical Leader at Kimberly-Clark, Neenah, WI.
[email protected]
Erkan Tüzel, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
2007-2009
Current position: Associate Professor, Temple University
[email protected]
Brannon McCullough, Ph.D.
Yale University, Dept. of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry 2012-2015
Current position: Research Scientist, L.L. Gore & Assoc
[email protected]
Jay Hou, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University
2012-2018
Nima Ghaderi, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota
2021
Completed Ph.D. degrees
Completed Ph.D. degrees
Vincent VanBuren
(co-advised)
Thesis title: "Computational modeling of microtubule structure and assembly"
Ph.D. program, 2002
Current position: Asst Prof, Texas A&M
Joseph Fass
Thesis title: “Investigation of neurite initiation and elongation for neural network engineering applications”
Program: Chemical Engineering, 2003
Current position: Bioinformatics Scientist, Providence Health
[email protected]
Yaakov Nahmias
Thesis title: “Laser-guided direct writing for three-dimensional tissue engineering analysis and application of radiation forces”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2004
Current position: Professor and Director, Center for Bioengineering and Dept. of Bioengineering, Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem, Israel.
[email protected]
Mauris DeSilva
(deceased)
Thesis title: “Investigation of micropatterning and micromechanical forces towards engineering neural networks with defined connectivity”
Program: Materials Science and Engineering, 2005
Prior to his passing, Mauris was the Founder & CEO, 3D PARS.
Andrew Bicek
Thesis title: “Origin and consequences of microtubule bending in living cells”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2007
Current position: Senior R&D Engineer, Boston Scientific, Inc., Maple Grove, MN.
[email protected]
Melissa Gardner
Thesis title: “Modeling and analysis of microtubule-mediated chromosome transport during mitosis”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2008
Current position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Genetics, Cell Biology, & Development, University of Minnesota.
[email protected]
Clarence Chan
Thesis title: “Cellular adhesion dynamics: investigation of molecular clutch attachment and force transmission”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2008
Current position: Principal Systems Engineer, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA.
[email protected]
Dominique (Seetapun) Davidow
Thesis title: “Microtubule dynamics and neuronal polarity establishment during neurite initiation”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2011
Current position: Scientist, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics
[email protected]
Brian Castle
Thesis title: “Multiscale modeling and analysis of microtubule self-assembly dynamics”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2014
Current position: Consultant, BioPharma Simulation Partners
[email protected]
Benjamin Bangasser
Thesis title: “Optimality in the nanomechanics of cell migration and adhesion”
Program: Chemical Engineering, 2014
Current position: Senior R&D Group Leader, Sherwin-Williams
[email protected]
Rebecca Markovitz (Klank)
Thesis title: “Physical determinants of glioma cell migration and disease progression”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2015
Current position: Stay-at-home Parent
[email protected]
Emily Tubman
Thesis title: “Modeling and analysis of chromosome attachment error correction and congression during mitosis”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2016
Current position: Princ. Global Clinical Educ. Mgr., , Boston Scientific, Minneapolis, MN
[email protected]
Louis Prahl
Thesis title: “Microtubule-based control of glioma cell migration”
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2018
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
[email protected]
Chao Liu
(co-advised)
Thesis title: "Label-free optical imaging to study brain connectivity and neuropathology"
Program: Biomedical Engineering, 2018 (Advised by Dr. Taner Akkin)
Current position: Research Fellow, MGH/Harvard University
[email protected]
Mahya Hemmat
Thesis title: "Multi-scale modeling of microtubule dynamics and the regulation by microtubule-targeting agents"
Ph.D. program, 2020
Current position: R&D Engineering II, Boston Scientific
Ghaidan Shamsan
Thesis title: "Mechanical regulation of glioma cell migration"
Ph.D. program, 2021
Current position: Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca
Nima Ghaderi
Thesis title: "Mathematical modeling of glioblastoma wound healing assay (WHA) and radiation response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)"
Ph.D. program, 2021
Current position: Senior Data Scientist, Boston Scientific
Marcus Kelly
Ph.D. program, 2023
Completed master of science degrees
Completed master of science degrees
Taunisha Harris
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1998
Current position: Research Scientist at 3M (retired)
Yeqing Cao
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1999
Current position: Scientist, Lucent Technologies
Keck-Choong Ho
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1999
Current position: QA Comm Op Lead, Aimmune Therapeutics
Liza Davis
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2002
Current position: Vice President, R&D, Boston Scientific
Brian Sprague
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2002
Current position: Associate Professor, University of Vermont, Dept. of Surgery
Trent Fischer
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2005
Current position: Principal Scientist, Medtronic
Aleksey Demchouk
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2010
Current position: Data Scientist, C.H. Robinson
Joseph Powers
Thesis title: "The predicted role of stereospecificity in crowding-mediated effects on reversible biomolecular association"
B.S. Physics, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, 2012
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2012
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2013
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California San Diego, Bioengineering
[email protected]
Khoa Cao
Thesis title: "Estimating mechanical differences between dorsal and ventral surfaces of U251 cells"
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2015
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2016
[email protected]
Horacio Estabridis
Thesis title: "Experimental and simulated cell migration in 1D and 2D nanofiber microenvironments"
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, 2015
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2016
Currently employed by Teleflex Industries, Minneapolis, MN.
[email protected]
Lexi Doersch
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2020
Current position: Research Associate, Invenra, Madison, Wisconsin
Postbaccalaureate
Postbaccalaureate
Kwaku Opoku
2007-09
Current position: Associate Technology Manager, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Andrew Gardeck
2015-17
Current position: University of Minnesota Medical School
Mariah McMahon
2017-20
Current position: Bioprocess Scientist, Vascudyne, St. Paul, Minnesota
Former laboratory staff
Former laboratory staff
Andrew Gardeck
B.A. Physiology, University of Minnesota, 2014
Currently Researcher II, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
[email protected]
Mariah McMahon
B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota, 2013
Researcher III
[email protected]
Research Interests: Studying tumor cell migration by imaging glioblastoma cells on varying degrees of substrate stiffness.
Completed bachelor of science degrees
Completed bachelor of science degrees
Marcus Kelly
B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota, 2018
Currently attends the University of Minnesota in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics
[email protected]
Patrick Bangasser
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2018
[email protected]
Jesse Kasim
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2016
Currently attends the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI.
[email protected]
Matthew Hunt
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2016
Currently working in Research & Development at Boston Scientific.
[email protected]
Divya Palanisamy
B.S. Neuroscience & Philosophy, University of Minnesota, 2015
Currently participating in Teach For America Corps.
[email protected]
Stephanie Vogeli
B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota, 2015
Currently attends Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, NY.
[email protected]
Shan Zhong
B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota, 2014
Currently attends University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN.
[email protected]
Kelsey McCoy
B.S. Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 2014
Currently attends Columbia University, New York, NY.
[email protected]
Benjamin Schlichtmann
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2014
Currently Research Technician, Miromatrix Medical, Eden Prairie, MN.
[email protected]
Alistair McIntyre
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2013
Currently attends the University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
[email protected]
Benjamin Fuller
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2013
Currently attends the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI.
[email protected]
Aaron Lomicka
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2013
Currently Design Assurance Engineer, Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, MN.
[email protected]
Jordan Bernens
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2012
Currently attends the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Lewisburg, WV.
[email protected]
Kwaku Opoku
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2009
B.A. Applied Science, Concordia College, Moorehead, MN
Currently attends the University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
[email protected]
Allison Claas
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2011
Currently attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
[email protected]
Thomas Hoelkinger
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2012
Currently Engineer at Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN.
[email protected]
Former high school students
Former high school students
Nathan Hinson
Currently Attends Duke University, Durham, NC.
[email protected]