Current Members

Principle Investigator

Image of Xinqiao Jia.
Xinqiao Jia, Ph.D. – Curriculum Vitae
Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR)
Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI)
University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware

Postdoctoral Researcher, Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2002–2005
Ph.D., Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 2002
B.S., Applied Chemistry, Fudan University, China, 1995

Office: 206 DuPont Hall
Tel: 302–831–6553
Fax: 302–831–4545
Email: xjia@udel.edu

Ph.D. Candidates

Image of Hanyuan Gao.
Hanyuan Gao
B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, P. R. China, 2018
Email: barrygao@udel.edu

Project: Bioorthogonally integrated hydrogel platform for modeling cancer invasion
Image of Apoorva Metkari.
Apoorva Metkari
B.S. Fiber and Textile Processing Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, India, 2018
Email: apoorva@udel.edu

Project: Adaptable and instructive hydrogels to promote epithelial morphogenesis
Image of Mugdha Pol.
Mugdha Pol
B.S. Microbiology, Pune University, India, 2011
M.S. Microbiology, Pune University, India, 2013
Email: mugdha@udel.edu

Project: Growth factor signaling in an engineered model of perineural invasion
Image of Aditya Natu.
Aditya Natu
B.S., Polymer Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, India, 2018
Email: adinatu@udel.edu

Project: Hydrogel–based microfluidic model of the vocal fold
Image of Nayantika Chaudhari.
Nayantika Chaudhari
B.S., Physics, Sardar Patel University India, 2008
M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, 2013
Email: nayanti@udel.edu

Project: Modeling vocal fold scarring using a bioorthogonal hydrogel platform
Image of Christopher Duda.
Christopher Duda
B.S., Biomolecular Science with minor in Chemistry, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, 2022
Email: chduda@udel.edu

Project: Cellular mechanosensing in engineered environments
Image of Samiksha Udan.
Samiksha Udan
B.S., Fiber and Textiles Processing Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, India, 2022
Email: samiksha@udel.edu

Project: Tunable microfluidic synthesis of hydrogel microfibers via interfacial tetrazine ligation
Image of Stephen Frazier.
Stephen Frazier
B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2022
Email: sfrazier@udel.edu

Project: Modeling salivary gland fibrosis using a bioorthogonally integrated hydrogel platform
Image of Peter Cruciata.
Peter Cruciata
B.S. Biology, CUNY College of Staten Island, 2017
M.S. Biology, CUNY College of Staten Island, 2019
Email: cruciata@udel.edu

Project: Engineering stem cell–derived tissue specific, antifibrotic extracellular vesicles
Image of Joshua Macugay.
Joshua Macugay
B.S. Materials Science and Engineering, University of the Philippines, 2017
M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, University of the Philippines, 2021
Email: jmacugay@udel.edu

Project: Controlling epithelial cell assembly and morphogenesis via cell surface engineering
Image of Tong Lyu.
Tong Lyu
B.S. Information and Computer Science, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China, 2019
M.S. Electronic Information, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China, 2023
Email: tonglyu@udel.edu

Project: Spatial and temporal control of cell behaviors via interfacial bioorthognal chemistry

Past Members

  • Ph.D. Students
    • Xiaoyu Zou – 2023
      • Dissertation: Development and Characterization of an Engineered Vocal Fold Tissue Model
      • Current position: Senior Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Boston, MA
    • Olivia George – 2022
      • Dissertation: Novel Hydrogel Microfibers and Microparticles via Interfacial Bioorthogonal Tetrazine Ligation
      • Current position: Management Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
    • Jiyeon Song – 2022
      • Dissertation: A Bioorthogonal Hydrogel Platform for the Development of an Engineered Vocal Fold Tissue Model
      • Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Duke University
    • Eric Fowler – 2021
      • Dissertation: Fine Tuning Matrix Structure and Bioactivity to Mediate 3D Assembly of Human Salivary Progenitor Cells
      • Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Princeton University
    • He Zhang – 2021
      • Dissertation: Interfacial Bioorthogonal Crosslinking for the Fabrication of Functional 3–D Networks
      • Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
    • Aidan Zerdoum – 2019
      • Dissertation: Directing stem cell behaviors in an engineered vocal fold-like microenvironment
      • Current position: Senior Biomedical Solutions Specialist, Level Ex, Everett, MA
    • Sarah Geiger – 2018
      • Dissertation: 3D photonic sensor-integrated tissue model for strain sensing
      • Current position: Engineer, Draper Lab, Boston, MA
    • Anitha Ravikrishnan – 2019
      • Dissertation: Regulating Cell Phenotype and Function Using Custom-Designed Synthetic Matrices
      • Current position: Senior Scientist, Merck, West Point, PA
    • Kevin Dicker – 2018
      • Dissertation: Interfacial biorthogonal crosslinking for the fabrication of functional hydrogels
      • Current position: Associate Staff Scientist, Process Development, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
    • Vinu Krishnan – 2015
      • Dissertation: Bioengineering targeted nanodrugs for hematologic malignancies
      • Current position: Senior Scientist, Intellia Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA
    • Xian Xu – 2013
      • Dissertation: Engineered tumor models for the evaluation of nanoparticle–based cancer therapeutics
      • Current Position: Senior Scientist, Merck Research Laboratories
    • Longxi Xiao – 2013
      • Dissertation: Mechano–Responsive Hydrogels Crosslinked by Reactive Block Copolymer Micelles
      • Current Position: Senior Analytical Chemist, Ingevity Corporation
    • Zhixiang Tong – 2013
      • Dissertation: Vocal Fold Mimetic Microenvironment for the Modulation of Stem Cell Behaviors
      • Current Position: Senior Scientific Manager, Genentech, CA
    • Lisa Gurski – 2012
      • Dissertation: Hyaluronic acid–based hydrogel systems for mechanistic studies of prostate cancer metastasis
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    • Sarah Grieshaber – 2011
      • Dissertation:Tunable Elastin–Mimetic Multiblock Hybrid Copolymers for Biomedical Applications
      • Current Position: Scientist, SABIC Innovative Plastics
    • Alexandra Farran – 2011
      • Dissertation: Tissue Engineering of Vocal Fold Lamina Propria
      • Current Position: Scientist, L'Oreal
    • Amit Jha – 2010
      • Dissertation: Hyaluronic Acid–Based Hydrogel Particles and Doubly Crosslinked Networks for Soft Tissue Regeneration
      • Current Position: Scientist, W. L. Gore and Associates, AZ
  • M.S. Students
    • Xinyi Wang – 2012
      • Dissertation: Hyaluronic acid–based hydrogels for cartilage repair
      • Current Position: Chemist, General Separation Technologies, Inc.
    • Xiaowei Yang – 2013
      • Dissertation: Synthesis and characterization of functional polyester elastomers
      • Current position: Researcher, Alphasense Inc.
    • Alexander Stuffer – 2017
      • Dissertation: Vibratory culture of human mesenchymal stem cells and isolation of porcine vocal fold epithelium
      • Current Position: Research Scientist, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
    • Anthony Marinelli – 2020
      • Dissertation: Observing Phenotypical Changes Conducive to Perineural Invasion in a Hydrogel-Based 3D Model
      • Current Position: Associate Scientist, Absorption Systems LLC, Exton, PA
  • Postdoctoral Researchers
    • Dr. Nurettin Sahiner: 2005–2007
      • Project: Synthesis and characterization of hyaluronic acid–based hydrogel particles
      • Current position: Associate Professor, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University
    • Dr. Fang Jia: 2007–2009
      • Project: Effects of high frequency vibratory stimulation on stem cell differentiation
      • Current position: Scientist, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University
    • Dr. Ting Nie: 2008–2009
      • Project: Assembly properties of alanine–rich, lysine–containing peptide in the presence of polymeric surfactants
      • Current position: Research Chemist, Evonik Stockhausen, LLC
    • Dr. Xiaoying Wang: 2008–2010
      • Project: Amphiphilic block co–polyesters bearing pendant cyclic ketal groups as nanocarriers for controlled release of cancer theapeutics
      • Current position: Professor, Jinan University
    • Dr. Chao Liu: 2008–2010
      • Project: Amphiphilic block copolymer micelles as microscopic crosslinkers for the formation of responsive hydrogels
    • Dr. Anna Greene: 2009–2011
      • Project: Amphiphilic mutliblock copolymers via the combination of controlled radical polymerization and step growth, click coupling reaction
      • Current position: Assistant Curriculum Director for the Graduate Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College
    • Dr. Chengzhong Cui: 2010–2011
      • Project: Synthesis of functional polyesters with elastomeric properties
      • Current position: Scientist, Solvay
    • Dr. Samuel H. Lahasky: 2013–2014
      • Project: Directing nanoscale assembly of peptide–containing multiblock polymers
      • Current position: Project manager, SciGenesis
    • Shivshankar R. Mane: 2015–2016
      • Project: Synthesis and characterization of peptide–containing multiblock polymers
      • Current position: Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
    • Tugba Ozdemir: 2014–2017
      • Project: In vitro assembly of functional salivary gland
      • Current position: Research Scientist, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
    • Ying Hao: 2014–2017
      • Project: Molecular design of bioactive hydrogels
      • Current position: Associate Professor, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, China
  • Research Technicians
    • Dakota Kelly: 2015–2017
      • Project: Design and characterization of G3 vocal fold bioreactor
      • Current Position: Product Scientist, Romer Labs
  • Undergaduate Students
    • Michael Allerton
    • Meghan Woods
    • Christie Brandt
    • Aditya Bose
    • Michael R. Ruggieri
    • Christine Lummer
    • Lamoyne M. Habimana–Griffin
    • Kathryn Barber
    • James Thomson
    • Eric Levi
    • Patrick Crane
    • Rachel Boedeker
    • Mark Kai Leung Ho
    • Grant Halleran
Xinqiao Jia • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
201 Pierre S. du Pont Hall
Newark, DE 19716 • USA
Phone: 302–831–6553 • Fax: 302–831–4545
Email: xjia@udel.edu • © 2021