My research asks how tissues make collective decisions. Cells do not act alone; they exchange signals, organize into communities, and together determine whether tissues heal, fight infection, or progress toward chronic inflammation and cancer. New technologies can map these cellular communities in remarkable detail, but they still mostly provide snapshots rather than explanations. I am developing a new framework that combines controlled engineered material and cell perturbations, spatial measurements, and computational models to uncover how local interactions give rise to tissue-level behavior. This work aims to move tissue biology from description toward prediction and control, opening new ways to direct immune responses, improve tissue repair, and understand how living systems coordinate complex behavior.
Awards and Achievements
- New Instructor Award from Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals ( 2019)
- T32 NCI Postdoctoral Fellowship ( 2019)
- Young Investigators’ Day Hans J. Prochaska Award: Top PhD research from Johns Hopkins ( 2019)
- Siebel Scholar: Top 100 graduating PhD students worldwide ( 2018)
- Top Clinical Research Poster Award at Pathology Young Investigator Day ( 2018)
- JCM Foundation ARCS Scholar: Top 3 PhD students at Johns Hopkins ( 2017)
- Teaching As Research Fellow (PFFTA at Johns Hopkins) ( 2015)
- Discovery Award from Johns Hopkins University Provost Research ( 2015)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSFGRFP) Recipient ( 2015)
- NIH Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center Predoctoral Fellowship ( 2014)
- AIChE Most Outstanding Senior Award – BYU Chemical Engineering ( 2013)
- Douglas N. Bennion: Most Outstanding Junior Award – BYU Chemical Engineering ( 2012)
- Bill J. Pope: Most Outstanding Sophomore Award – BYU Chemical Engineering ( 2011)
- Most Outstanding Freshman Award – BYU Chemical Engineering ( 2010)
- Full-ride, 4-year scholarship to Brigham Young University ( 2007)