Team Leader
Sarah Miller
Texas A&M University
Biomedical Engineering
shargett@tamu.edu
Project Type
Research
Who Can Join
Undergraduate Students
Project Description
This project is focused on developing hemostatic (blood-clotting) materials for two main applications: postpartum hemorrhage (life-threatening bleeding resulting from childbirth) and internal hemorrhage resulting from blunt abdominal trauma (injuries that don’t break the skin, resulting in bleeding into the abdominal cavity). All members of the team will learn polymer synthesis techniques and the methods for fabricating the designed hemostatic materials. We will initially focus on characterizing and mechanically testing the polymeric hemostatic materials, followed by benchtop blood clotting analyses. Afterward, we will explore in vitro (cellular) assessments to understand the biocompatibility and impact of the material on cells.
Team Needs
Should be okay working with/seeing blood. Willing to learn new skills. Willing to work with others. Basic chemistry (identifying functional groups, molarity calculations, etc.) is expected. Team members will be expected to attend weekly lab meetings with the larger lab group (unless class conflicts) and weekly team meetings (time TBA based on team’s availability) to check project progress and decide next steps.
Special Opportunities
Exposure to biomedical engineering, potential co-authorship on publications or conference presentations based on project results, learning skills in polymer synthesis/mechanical testing/blood clotting analyses/etc.