POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES
JOSH BUSH
For my current project I am studying electrospun natural polymer membranes for treating burn wounds. My research focus is natural polymers for regenerative medicine applications. I was previously a Research Scientist in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia where I developed natural polymer hydrogels for healing bone injury and necrosis.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
RABETA YEASMIN
PhD Graduate Assistant
My current project investigates the attachment of novel biofilm inhibitors to biopolymers, metals, and ceramics. Release and activity of biofilm-inhibitors will be evaluated against pathogenic microorganisms. Compatibility of modified surfaces with mammalian cells will also be evaluated.
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EZZUDDIN ABUHUSSEIN
PhD Graduate Assistant
My current project investigates the development of acylated nanofibrous chitosan membranes to act as pre-hospital wound dressings, prevent bacterial infections, and alleviate pain. The membranes are loaded with local anesthetic and fatty acid signaling molecules which can disperse and prevent antibiotic-resistant biofilm
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JERMIAH TATE
PhD Graduate Assistant
My current project involves anti-biofilm therapeutics and their effects on cells, including immune cells. Mediating pathogenic infection post-injury, while minimizing pro-inflammatory immune response, supports healthy tissue repair processes for multiple applications including bone and skin wound healing. I measure the success by detecting the protein expression and cell viability before and after treatment.
EMILY COLEMAN
MS Graduate Assistant
My current project will include surface modification of hydroxyapatite with various antimicrobial agents for potential applications such as orthopedic implants. A primary target of this research is prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal infection
YOGITA DINTAKURTHI
MS GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Working on biomaterials to reduce the painful outcomes of burn wounds and enhance healing.
UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANTS
BRENNA BALLARD
TIBIRNI YUSUF
HANNA JONES
PEYTON FREEMAN
CALVIN ROBINSON
MADELYN WICKER
ALUMNI
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Michael Harris, PhD
Dr. Harris is a recent graduate from the PhD program. His research focused on drug delivery from inorganic biomaterials and stimuli-controlled drug release.
Leslie Pace, MS
Leslie is currently working as an Evidence Evaluation Specialist at Smith and Nephew. During her time in the lab she focused on infection prevention and treatment by specifically targeting biofilm.
Chris is currently serving in Madagascar for the Peace Corps. During his time in the lab, he worked to invoke a gel-like formation of an injectable chitosan paste used to prevent infections in traumatic musculoskeletal wounds.
Chris Alexander, MS
Zoe Harrison, PhD
Zoe is currently working for Smith and Nephew as a Biocompatibility Scientist II. Memphis,TN
Rukhsana Awais, MS
Rukhsana is currently working as a Product Development Intern at Ariste Medical. Her research focused on evaluation of novel biofim inhibitors and their release from biopolymer materials.
Logan is currently working at Smith & Nephew as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist. During his time in the lab, he worked to chemically modifying chitosan in order to increase both the degradation and elution properties of an injectable paste
Logan Boles, MS
Carlos M. Wells, PhD
Carlos is now a Postdoctoral Associate at Division of Biochemical Toxicology National Center for Toxicological Research Food and Drug Administration
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Landon Choi, MS
Landon is currently working for St. Jude as a Senior Researcher in Pharmacogenomics. Memphis, TN
Zachary Pasternak, PhD
Zachary is currently pursuing his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Florida.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
STASIANNE MALLIN
Currently playing professional soccer
BRANDICO BARR
Currently working as a Quality Engineer at Smith and Nephew
HAMZA AHMED
Working as a Post-Market Surveillance Intern at MicroPort Orthopedics (Arlington, TN).
PARWINDER SINGH
Recently employed as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Medtronic (Memphis, TN).
CHAVEZ NELSON
Recently employed as a Sustaining Quality Engineer I at Smith & Nephew Orthopedics (Memphis, TN).
ROBERT MIHALKO
Currently finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)
ELYSIA MASTERS
Currently a Ph.D. student at Rochester University.
DAVID LEVINE
Currently an MD candidate at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis, TN)
MAGGIE BLACK
Working as a Design Quality Engineer at Medtronic (Memphis, TN)
MAMADOU DIALLO
Working as a Product Development Engineer at Smith & Nephew (Memphis, TN)
ELIZABETH DUNCAN
Currently pursuing her MD at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis, TN)
MONICA RAWSON, DVM
Currently working on her PhD at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN).
MOHAMED HASSAN
Currently employed at Stryker.
ALLEN MAMARIL
Currently working as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist at MicroPort Orthopedics (Arlington, TN).
JONATHAN TAPP
Currently serving as a Project Manager at BH&M Consultants (Millington, TN).
SAMER ABDULAHI
Currently an intern in Regulatory Affairs at Medtronic (Memphis, TN).
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LYDIA ROSS
Currently earning her Masters under Dr. Williams at UofM.
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MADISON BROWN
Currently earning her MS degree at University of Memphis.
CLAIRE ABREY
Currently working at MicroPort Orthopedics as a Post Market Surveillance Engineer. (Arlington, TN)
ALEXIS JOHNSON
Currently employed at ITW medical as an application engineer. (Hebron, Illinois)
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JOHN-DAVID ROSS
Currently employed by Stryker in Regulatory Affairs. (Memphis, TN)
BHARAT JOTHILINGHAM
Attending graduate school at Illinois Institute of Technology in the Medical Devices and Biomaterials program.
RAVI PATEL
Currently working towards his DDS at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis, TN)
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OMAR MOHAMED
Currently employed by Medtronic as a Manufacturing Engineer. (Plymouth, Minnesota)
