PhD Candidates

Jessica Isaacs

Hometown: Wallingford, Pa
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engr (2006), Widener University, Chester, Pa.  M.S. Mech Engr (2009), Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.
CV

Jessica grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and after an adventure in Pittsburgh, decided to come back to finish school. After completing her undergraduate studies at Widener University, Jessica started her graduate career in the Summer of 2006 and is currently a Doctorate Candidate in the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics Department. Jessica's current research interests include spine biomechanics, effects of degeneration and age, and disc herniation.  Her current project is working toward a model of Intervertebral Disc herniation using normal and degenerative failure fracture criteria based on annulus fibrosus laminar micromechanics.  She has worked as a teaching fellow through the Freshman Design sequence (ENGR 10X) and is also the event coordinator of a non-profit group on campus, called Buzzing 4 Change. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys rock climbing, camping, continuum mechanics and especially traveling.

 

 

David Jamison, IV

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa
Education: B.S. Engr Mechanics (2008), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md
CV

David is a second-year Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering. He attained a B.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Johns Hopkins University in 2008.  David's research interests include orthopedic biomechanics and computational modeling. His current project investigates characterization of the mechanical behavior of the intervertebral disc during high-impact loads and the effects on disc degeneration of such loading profiles. His project is in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense.

 

 

Dave Jaekel

Hometown:
Education: B.S. Biomedical Engr (2006), Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa

Dave is entering his third year in the PhD program in the school of Biomedical Engineering with a focus on biomaterials and biomechanics.  Previously, he attended Drexel as a Biomedical engineering undergrad and upon graduation branched out of academia into the medical device injury.  He worked as a research engineer on a hydrogel nucleus replacement.  Upon returning to graduate school, his focus was placed on the characterization ploymer, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and infection that can occur on medical devices in the spine and other orthopaedic materials.

 

 

 

 

 

Sumona Sarkar

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Education: B.S. (2003) and M.S. (2006) Biomedical Engr, Boston University, Boston, MA
CV

Sumona is a 4^th year Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate at Drexel.  Her current research interests are in biomimetic materials, specifically polymer and biomacromolecule synthesis.  The project focuses on the development of a biomimetic replacement for aggrecan, a biomolecule that is lost in disc degeneration and the degeneration of other articulating joints.  She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University.  Sumona's M.S. thesis focused on the use of Bio-MEMs for vascular tissue engineering applications.

 

 

 

 

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M.S. Students

 Nandita Ganesh

Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Education: B.S. Chemical Engr, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Goa Campus in India