Valerie Tutwiler, PhD 

Assistant Professor 
Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University 

Dr. Valerie Tutwiler is an Assistant Professor in Rutger's University Department of  Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Tutwiler  received her B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University in 2013. She conducted her M.S. research on developing a microfluidic model of heparin induced thrombocytopenia at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (PI: Poncz/Rauova).  Dr. Tutwiler conducted her Ph.D research between Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania (PI: Spiller (Drexel)/ Weisel (UPENN)) on the kinetics and mechanics of contracting blood clots. After completing her Ph.D in 2017 she conducted research at the University of Pennsylvania where she studied the structure and mechanics of blood clots as a K99/R00 Postdoctoral Fellow. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and American Society of Hematology. Outside of the laboratory she enjoys playing tennis, baking, and a reading a good book. 

Ranjini Ramanujam

PhD Student 
​Biomedical Engineering 

Ranjini is a PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering department at Rutgers University. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Visvesvaraya Technological University (2018) and a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from University at Buffalo (2020). Ranjini's previous research focussed on exosome-mimic nanoparticles to treat lung fibrosis. Her current research interest involves understanding mechanisms of blood clot mechanical failures. 

Andrew Gosselin

PhD Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Andrew is a PhD student studying Biomedical Engineering. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in the Spring of 2020. His research interest lies in tissue engineering, specifically the development of biomaterials for applications in trauma related injuries.

Rebecca Risman 

PhD Student 
Biomedical Engineering ​

Rebecca is a PhD student studying biomedical engineering. She received her B.S. in biomedical engineering from Rutgers University in 2019. Rebecca’s research interests include drug delivery and tissue engineering, specifically addressing cancer and related complications

Eshaan Parikh

Master's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Eshaan  joined the lab an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Business Administration at the Rutgers School of Engineering. He is now pursuing his MS in the lab.  He is interested in researching the mechanisms of blood clotting, and how to repurpose FDA approved drugs to combat weak blood clots and/or genetic bleeding conditions such as hemophilia. Eshaan would like to further develop his knowledge on the mechanisms behind blood clotting to view its effects on wound therapy and therapeutics that can be used on the battlefield. 

Victoria Percoco

Bachelor's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Victoria is a biomedical engineering student in the BS/MS combined
degree program. Her focus is on her project related to the biochemical
regulation of fibrinolysis for her JJ Slade honors thesis and Master's
thesis.

Rhianna Patel 

Bachelor's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Rhianna is a senior with a passion for biomedical engineering. She is the recipient of a NASA/NJGSC Undergraduate Grant and a JJ Slade Scholar. Her research focuses on understanding viscoelastic and structural properties of individual blood components that alter in different environmental conditions, like microgravity. Her goal is to work towards improving a patients quality of life through life changing and innovative medicine/treatments.

Logan Figular

Bachelor's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Matthew Greenen

Bachelor's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Matthew is an undergraduate student majoring in biomedical engineering. He is interested in researching the physics that govern both blood flow and blood clotting. Matthew hopes to graduate with a B.S. in 2024, and subsequently attend medical school.

Logan Figular 

Bachelor's Student 
Biomedical Engineering 

Lab Alumni 

Tony Yu, Postdoc (2020-2021) 
Currently: Scientist III, WuXi AppTec

Ahmed Abdelhamid, M.Eng (2020)

Taniya Sood, Summer REU Student (2021)