Mechanobiology &
Soft Materials
Laboratory
Balalabers
The team behind the cool science
The OG BBB (Balalab Big Boss)
Dr. Kartik Balachandran
Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas
Principal Investigator
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Postdoctoral Fellow ﹣ Harvard University (2012) 🇺🇸
Ph.D. in Bioengineering ﹣ Georgia Institute of Technology (2010) 🇺🇸
MSc. in Mechanical Engineering ﹣ Georgia Institute of Technology (2008) 🇺🇸
B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering ﹣National Universe of Singapore (2001) 🇸🇬
I am interested in the role of mechanical forces on physiology, function and disease. I am especially fascinated by the interaction between structure and mechanics in regulating biological responses at different length-scales. My team utilizes organ-on-chip engineering, tissue engineering, biomaterials and imaging approaches to answer questions in the areas of cardiac valve calcification, cardiac disease, blood-brain barrier dysfunction due to traumatic brain injury, and nasal epithelial dysfunction. Knowledge gained from these studies will help guide the development of future medical interventions and regenerative therapies.
Holder of All Wisdom
Dr. Ishita Tandon
SEC Postdoctoral Fellow
Heart Valve-on-Chip
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering ﹣ University of Arkansas (2022) 🇺🇸
B.Tech. in Biotechnology ﹣ Banasthali University (2015) 🇮🇳
My research focuses on the early detection and monitoring of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). I have developed in vitro models using microcontact printing and multilayered hydrogels, mouse models, and organ-on-chip devices to simulate the CAVD process and assess it non-invasively using multiphoton imaging metrics. I am also interested in the role of the local renin-angiotensin system in CAVD, and the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles for CAVD. My future research goal is to acquire deeper insights into gene editing and immunomodulation tools to further explore cardiovascular therapeutics. My career and leadership goals are to pursue research in biomedical engineering as a tenure-track faculty and work towards increasing the representation of women and underrepresented groups in a field heavily dominated by men.
Official Balalab Handylady
Amanda Walls, MSc.
Doctoral Researcher
Nasal Airway-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Ph.D. Student
NSF Graduate Fellow
Biomedical Engineering Program
MSc. in Biomedical Engineering﹣ University of Arkansas (2022) 🇺🇸
B.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering﹣ Harding University (2020) 🇺🇸
In the past two decades organ-on-chip technology has proven to be a valuable tool in respiratory research, but when modeling such a highly complex human system, there is always room for improvement! That's where my research comes in - my goal has been to develop a nasal airway-on-chip device that can simulate the unique dynamics of breathing and uncover how airflow affects the development and function of both healthy and diseased airway cells. Ultimately, this work will help inform future researchers about the aspects of airway models that are most important for recapitulating a physiologically relevant environment in vitro. Better in vitro airway models = a deeper understanding of diseases and therapeutics. On a typical day in the lab you may find me picking noses or fixing broken equipment, but it's NOT all that bad ;) Outside of my nosey research, I am incredibly passionate about engineering education and empowering young students through STEM. I've led two years of our lab's summer camp days for high school students, researched and published on the benefits of entrepreneurship in undergraduate engineering courses, and taught (as an adjunct instructor) a semester of Fundamentals of Chemistry at John Brown University. When I'm not researching or teaching, I enjoy ice skating, doing too many DIY projects at once, and hiking the trails around NWA with my husband and our two rescue pups, Oakley and Silas.
Stem Cells Whisperer
Laís Andrade Ferreira, MSc.
Doctoral Researcher
BBB-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Ph.D. Candidate
Fulbright Scholar
Cell & Molecular Biology Program
MSc. in Cell & Developmental Biology ﹣ Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (2020) 🇧🇷
BSc. in Biotechnology ﹣ Universidade Federal de Pelotas (2017) 🇧🇷
I’m a Biotechnologist and got a master’s degree in Cell & Developmental Biology in Brazil, my home country, before joining the lab to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology. After finding a passion for cell biology both in the classroom and the lab early in college, I decided to focus on stem cells research and started this journey studying the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells from different sources, specifically targeting the central nervous system. Under Dr. B.’s guidance, I had the opportunity to take on a new challenge applying my background in stem cells and neuroscience towards disease modeling. I currently lead the blood-brain barrier on-chip project, focusing on the development of an isogenic iPSC-derived multicellular neurovasculature compatible with traumatic brain injury modeling. What moves me as scientist is taking advantage of my position to investigate the overlooked particularities of women’s physiology and pathophysiology while shining a light on the underlying social issues that impact women’s health. Through my work I hope to start discussions about the social biases in research and contribute to shrinking this knowledge gap fed over generations by research practices consistently considering males the default organism. I’m also very passionate about scientific communication and data visualization and will happily spend hours working on figures and diagrams or presentations. I do absolutely everything listening to music and podcasts are my favorite for cell culture work. In my free time you’ll probably find me playing with my cats Woozy & Lu Dort, taking care of plants or watching a NBA game with my partner. Usually initiating or involved in all lab shenanigans.
The Grant Hunter
Lexi Applequist
Doctoral Researcher
Heart-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Ph.D. Student
NSF Graduate Fellow
Biomedical Engineering Program
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering﹣ University of Arkansas (2021) 🇺🇸
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of heart failure. The most common treatment for DCM is cardiac resynchronization therapy (pacemaker). There are very few benchtop technologies that can be used to study key mechanisms which may play a role in cellular response to pacemakers. I am working to develop a novel co-cultured cardiomyocyte-on-chip platform (Coco Chip) to mimic a healthy and DCM heart to evaluate response to pacemakers in patient groups of varying ethnicities. This information will be used to fill clinical data gaps and guide further treatment. Coco Chip can also be used for drug screening in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in the clinical setting as a diagnostic tool and platform for personalization of medicine.
apappleq@uark.edu
The Night Owl
Gustavo Vaca Diez
Doctoral Researcher
Heart Valve-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
Ph.D. Student
P.K. Kuroda Graduate Fellow
Biomedical Engineering Program
B.Eng. in Bioengineering ï¹£ Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (2017) 🇦🇷
My research focuses on investigating the relationship between hypertension and the onset of aortic valve disease using organ-on-chip platforms. Specifically, I am paying attention on the influence of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) on valve interstitial cell signaling. A key player I am focusing in is the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in mitigating the pathological effects of RAS, potentially serving as an intrinsic self-defense mechanism. Understanding these processes holds promise for the development of targeted interventions aimed at preventing hypertension-induced aortic valve disease. Our valve-on-chip platform provides physiologically relevant conditions for in vitro co-culture of valve interstitial cells (VICs) and valve endothelial cells (VECs). By mimicking extracellular matrix components, applying cyclical mechanical stretching, and simulating endothelial flow, this device may provide significant insights into valve disease progression.
Automation Guru
Lance Cordes
Graduate Researcher
Heart-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
MSc. Student
Biomedical Engineering Program
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering ﹣University of Arkansas (2023) 🇺🇸
I have been researching the properties of a piezoelectric copolymer for use of incorporating the material into the cardiomyocyte-on-chip platform with Lexi. Our aim is to create a multipurpose platform that can be used to study any kind of myocyte and mimic the cellular microenvironment for more physiologically relevant results. Using the Coco chip Lexi and I create, I will be studying the effects of alcoholic myopathy, a prevalent muscular disease caused by the overconsumption of alcohol. I am a coffee and coding enthusiast that is working on automating monotonous tasks around the lab. I also love the outdoors where I go biking, hiking, and running around Fayetteville in my free time.
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Miss Efficiency
Denise Fabiano do Nascimento
Senior Research Assistant
BBB-on-Chip
Mechanobiology & Soft Materials Laboratory
BSc. in Biological Sciences ﹣ Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (2023) 🇧🇷
I am currently working closely with Lais on developing an isogenic iPSC-derived multicellular blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. I work specifically on the differentiation process of iPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes, in order to later incorporate them into a BBB-on-chip platform. I am a biologist and have always been fascinated by all life forms and their physiology. Being a scientist is my dream job, though I am also interested in teaching. Another passion of mine is learning about different cultures and languages from around the world. Fun fact: Balalab is the 7th science lab I work in, and I have had research experiences in three different countries so far - Brazil, my home country, Canada and the United States. When I am not doing lab work, I am usually cozied up with a good book, or singing and dancing around the house.