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Benoit and Quataert Partner with CatAssay through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant
Monday, November 2, 2015
Biomedical Engineering Professor Danielle Benoit and URMC colleague Professor Sally Quataert are collaborating with CatAssay on a research project titled, “Novel Ultrasensitive Cancer Biomarker Assay Platform Utilizing Palladium Catalyzed High-Gain Chemical Amplification.”
CatAssay, a Rochester start-up company formed by two former Kodak Research Laboratories scientists, Mark Lelental and Henry Gysling, is developing its patented high-sensitivity bioassay technology with support from a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant.
The NCI-SBIR, Phase 1 grant will support CatAssays’ development of its proprietary Generation-2 technology using a unique biomarker labeling reagent which incorporates a nanoparticle-metal catalyst complex for a subsequent high-gain chemical amplification reaction that a readable organic dye signal.
CatAssays’ technology modifies the chemistry used in the ELISA format bioassay protocol commonly used in medical test laboratories, without the Need for any new equipment or capital expenditures. Its implementation, in combination with state-of-the-art highly specific biomarker detector molecules, offers the potential to provide significantly increased medical diagnostic test sensitivity resulting in earlier detection of a broad scope of diseases such as ovarian cancer.
Choe and Benoit Awarded NSF Grant to Develop Safe, Noninvasive Imaging Methods to Monitor Bone Graft Healing
Thursday, October 29, 2015
BME Professors Regine Choe (Principal Investigator) and Danielle Benoit (Co-Investigator) have been awarded an NSF Grant for their collaborative research project entitled, “Diffuse Optical and Correlation Tomography for Monitoring of Bone-Graft Headling.” The overall goal of this proposal is to develop new and safe imaging methods that use red and infrared light to monitor and image the re-growth of blood vessels in healing bones. These methods are based on diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) as scientific research tools to provide non-invasive, deep-tissue longitudinal monitoring of vascularization of engineered tissues. Techniques that non-invasively monitor and longitudinally assess the vascularization process could significantly accelerate the tissue-engineering field, which will lead to new methods for healing damaged tissues. By providing efficient ways to assess vascularization, this methodology will impact the speed of clinical translation of new tissue-engineering technologies, saving time and reducing development costs.
The project will involve educational outreach to underrepresented high school student groups through interaction with the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity in Arts, Sciences and Engineering at the University of Rochester, and an international collaboration with a biomedical optics group at the Institute of Photonic Sciences, Spain.
BME Professors Hani Awad and Danielle Benoit Receive $2 million NIH Grant
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Hani Awad, Ph.D. (BME and Orthopaedics) and Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. (BME) have received a $2 million grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) for their project titled “Engineering Scarless Repair of Flexor Tendon Injuries.” The goal of this 5-year multi-PI project is to advance the understanding of the mechanism of scar formation in flexor tendons of the hand, whose scar-mediated healing often leads to adhesions and loss of hand function. The project identifies a therapeutic target and maps out its mechanism of involvement in scar formation, and investigate the efficacy of a novel nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery approach to mitigate its effects in a preclinical model of flexor tendon repairs. Successful completion of this project, which elegantly integrates biology, biomechanics, and biomaterials, will have a profound impact on the field, especially since there are presently no pharmacologic or biologic treatments for the prevention or resolution of tendon adhesions.
Danielle Benoit named CMBE Young Innovator
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Congratulations to Danielle Benoit, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, who has been recognized as one of 11 CMBE Young Innovators for 2015 by the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering journal. The award highlights the best and brightest young faculty working in the area of cellular and molecular bioengineering. Danielle and the other 2015 CMBE Young Innovators will present their research and be recognized at the annual Biomedical Engineering Society meeting in October in Tampa, Florida. Learn more about this year's CMBE Young Innovators.
Read More: Danielle Benoit named CMBE Young InnovatorScientists Hand Out Lemonade to Support National Foundation
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. will leave her Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab at the University of Rochester this weekend to host the 6th Annual Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand at the Rochester and Brighton public markets.
Benoit and her students will be serving lemonade and explaining their work on childhood cancer therapies as part of a national effort organized by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has helped fund her research.
Most people don’t realize that treating cancer in children is much different from treating cancer in adults,
said Benoit, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering. At the same time, funding for childhood cancer research is woefully miniscule, compared to the money that goes into studying adult cancers.
The name, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, comes from Alexandra Alex
Scott of Connecticut, a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. Alex set up lemonade stands every year before her death at age eight to raise money so that doctors could find a cure for cancer, the leading cause of death for children 15 and younger. The idea spread, and children in other parts of the country set up their own lemonade stands to join the cause.
Benoit hopes to raise $2,000 by the end of the weekend.
Event Details
What: Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand
When & Where: Saturday, June 13, 10 am-1 pm, at Rochester Public Market
280 N. Union St.
Sunday, June 10, 9 am-1 pm, at Brighton Farmers Market
1150 Winton Rd. South
Read More: Scientists Hand Out Lemonade to Support National FoundationThe Benoit Lab Welcomes Katherine Amelia
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Danielle and her husband, Pat, are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Katherine Amelia. She was born at 7:50 pm on 6/3, weighing in at 7 lbs, 13 oz and 19.25 inches. Congratulations!
Joseph Vella Awarded AAFPRS Leslie Bernstein Grant
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Joe Vella, MD, MSE, PhD, Clinical Fellow (Otolaryngology) in the Benoit Lab, has been awarded the AAFPRS Leslie Bernstein Grant. The Leslie Bernstein Grants Program is generously funded by an endowment from Leslie Bernstein, MD, DDS. The program is coordinated by the Research Committee of the Educational and Research Foundation for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Centralized Otolaryngology Research Efforts (C.O.R.E.). The purpose of the grant is to encourage original research projects which will advance facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. A $25,000 grant may be awarded annually to an Academy Member. Grants may be used as seed money for research projects. Congrats Joe!
Congratulations to Dominic Malcolm for a successful qualifying exam!
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Congratulations to Dominic Malcolm for a Successful Qualifying Exam! Dominic is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab, and his current project is Development of Bilayer Hydrogels for Spatiotemporally Controlled Nanoparticle-Mediated siRNA Delivery
, which is supported by the National Science Foundation with DMR-1206219 and NYSTEM with IDEA N11G-035.
6th Annual Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand Set to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer
Friday, May 15, 2015
The Benoit Lab will once again participate in Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Lemonade Days to raise money and awareness for the fight against childhood cancers. The fundraiser will be held at the Rochester Public Market and Brighton Farmer's Market, on Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 14thfrom 10am-1pm.
Founded by an inspiring young girl, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a national organization that supports some of the research currently performed in the Benoit Laboratory. Please visit the Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand page. The money you donate will pay for research to find better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. Please help kids and their families by providing desperately needed hope! Thanks for your support!
Read More: 6th Annual Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand Set to Raise Money for Childhood CancerAmy Van Hove Receives Commendation in the Outstanding Dissertation Award Competition
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
BME graduate student, Amy Van Hove (Benoit Lab) has been selected to receive Commendation in the Outstanding Dissertation Award competition Engineering. Amy was chosen from the other BME PhD graduates as the most outstanding thesis within the department to get to the Hajim level. While this recognition does not come with a monetary award, this recognition is a testament to her exceptional work as a graduate student at the University of Rochester.
Congrats Amy!
Congratulations to Michael Baranello for successfully defending his Ph.D. Thesis!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Congratulations to Michael Baranello for a successfully defending his Ph.D. Thesis! Mike worked in the Benoit Lab, and his project, Functionalized Poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-b-poly(styrene) Micelles for Targeted Delivery of Parthenolide to Leukemia Cells
, was supported by was supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, Leukemia Research Foundation, and I Care I Cure Foundation.
Nanoparticles to Prevent Tooth Decay; Looking to Put Dentists Out of Business
Monday, April 20, 2015
We’re never at a loss for toothpaste choices, but we may see the addition of With Nanotechnology!
advertised on the tubes in the future. Researchers from the University of Rochester, in the Benoit Lab, and University of Pennsylvania have designed drug-releasing nanoparticles to protect the teeth from bacterial damage and decay.
The particles are engineered with a positively-charged outer segment to bind to negatively-charged sites on plaque biofilms and tooth enamel, effectively anchoring the particles in place. The particles’ cores are hydrophobic and loaded with farnesol, a hydrophobic antibacterial drug. The cores release the drug more quickly in acidic environments – perfect for when cariogenic bacteria begin to take over the teeth and form biofilms, which can drop locally to pH of 4.5-5.5.
They showed that head-to-head in a topical application, the drug-loaded nanoparticles were four times more powerful in destroying the bugs (Streptococcus mutans, in this study) than the free drug alone. They attributed this fact to the ability of the nanoparticles to adhere and deliver the drug in a controlled-release fashion, targeting sites of bacterial growth (biofilms) to deliver higher concentrations locally. Additionally, laboratory models of teeth and decay showed that the particles were able to greatly reduce the mechanical stability of the biofilms, rendering them more brittle and breakable. In vivo trials showed reductions in both the number and severity of dental caries in rats treated twice daily with the farnesol-loaded nanoparticles. The free farnesol applications were less effective, and likely washed away in what we imagine to be copious amounts of rat saliva.
DrBicuspid.com: Dentists May Soon Prescribe Nanoparticles to Fight Biofilms
Friday, April 10, 2015
Researchers have created a way for nanoparticles to deliver an antibacterial agent directly to dental plaque, according to a new study. Their discovery could lead to better treatments for caries and other biofilm-related diseases.
Nanoparticles that deliver farnesol directly to cariogenic biofilm were created by researchers from multiple U.S. institutions. Farnesol is a naturally occurring antimicrobial agent that is effective against some caries-causing bacteria.
We had two specific challenges,
stated senior study author Danielle Benoit, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester, in a press release. We had to figure out how to deliver the antibacterial agent to the teeth and keep it there, and also how to release the agent into the targeted sites.
Read More: DrBicuspid.com: Dentists May Soon Prescribe Nanoparticles to Fight BiofilmsCongratulations to Amy Van Hove for a successfully defending her Ph.D. Thesis!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Amy worked in the Benoit Lab, and her project, Enzymatically-responsive Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels for the Controlled Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides
, was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med-into-Grad fellowship in cardiovascular science, the National Institute of Health (NIH R01 AR064200), start-up funds from the University of Rochester, the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (OREF/MTF), and the Rochester/Finger Lakes Eye & Tissue Bank (RETB/FLETB).
Nanoparticles Provide Novel Way to Apply Drugs to Dental Plaque
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Therapeutic agents intended to reduce dental plaque and prevent tooth decay are often removed by saliva and the act
of swallowing before they can take effect. But a team of researchers has developed a way to keep the drugs from
being washed away. Dental plaque is made up of bacteria enmeshed in a sticky matrix of polymers—a polymeric
matrix—that is firmly attached to teeth. The researchers, led by Danielle Benoit at the University of
Rochester and Hyun Koo at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, found a new way to deliver an
antibacterial agent within the plaque, despite the presence of saliva.
Their findings have been published in the journal ACS Nano. We had two specific challenges,
said
Benoit, an assistant professor of biomedical
engineering. We had to figure out how to deliver the anti-bacterial agent to the teeth and keep it there,
and also how to release the agent into the targeted sites.
To deliver the agent-known as farnesol to the
targeted sites, the researchers created a spherical mass of particles, referred to as a nanoparticle carrier. They
constructed the outer layer out of cationic-or positively charged-segments of the polymers. For inside the carrier,
they secured the drug with hydrophobic and pH-responsive polymers.
Read
more about this at Science Magazine.org.
Read More: Nanoparticles Provide Novel Way to Apply Drugs to Dental PlaqueBenoit Receives Receive NSF Career Award
Thursday, March 26, 2015
The National Science Foundation has granted its most prestigious award in support of junior faculty, the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, to three Rochester researchers: Antonio Badolato, assistant professor of physics; Danielle Benoit, the James P. Wilmot Distinguished Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Michael Neidig, assistant professor of chemistry.
Benoit is being recognized for her work in regenerative medicine and drug delivery applications. Benoit also has appointments in chemical engineering and the Center for Musculoskeletal Research.
“We are developing a completely novel and potent site-directed therapy to treat bone diseases, with a focus on osteoporosis,” said Benoit. “It’s an honor to have the National Science Foundation recognize and support our efforts.”
The award from the NSF, which comes with a $500,000 grant over five years, will help Benoit develop educational outreach programs to excite children in grade school and high school about STEM careers. Much of Benoit’s research involves regenerative strategies, including tissue engineering and drug delivery approaches, for musculoskeletal applications with a focus on bone.
Read More: Benoit Receives Receive NSF Career AwardHoffman, Benoit Paper Published in Biomaterials
Friday, February 13, 2015
Graduate student, Michael Hoffman and the Benoit Lab have published a paper, Emulating Native Periosteum Cell Population and Subsequent Paracrine Factor Production To Promote Tissue Engineered Periosteum-Mediated Allograft Healing
, in the journal Biomaterials.
Emulating autograft healing within the context of decellularized bone allografts has immediate clinical applications in the treatment of critical-sized bone defects. The periosteum, a thin, osteogenic tissue that surrounds bone, houses a heterogeneous population of stem cells and osteoprogenitors. There is evidence that periosteum-cell derived paracrine factors, specifically vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), orchestrate autograft healing through host cell recruitment and subsequent tissue elaboration. In previous work, we demonstrated that the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels as a tissue engineered (T.E.) periosteum to localize mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the surface of decellularized bone enhances allograft healing and integration. Herein, we utilize a mixed population of 50:50 MSCs and osteoprogenitor cells to better mimic native periosteum cell population and paracrine factor production to further promote allograft healing. This mixed cell population was localized to the surface of decellularized allografts within degradable hydrogels and shown to expedite allograft healing. Specifically, bone callus formation and biomechanical graft-host integration are increased as compared to unmodified allografts. These results demonstrate the dual importance of periosteum-mediated paracrine factors orchestrating host cell recruitment as well as new bone formation while developing clinically translatable strategies for allograft healing and integration.
Danielle Benoit Receives NSF Faculty Early Career Award
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Danielle Benoit has received an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award for her proposal "Polymer therapeutics for bone regeneration: next-generation osteoporosis treatments."
Osteoporosis results from imbalances in bone production and resorption and affects roughly 14 million Americans. The majority of osteoporosis therapies reduce the activity of cells that resorb bone. Development of therapies targeted towards cells that produce new bone matrix may revolutionize osteoporosis therapies by offering an alternative to restore bone health, however, a critical technological gap exists in developing drug delivery approaches that provide specific treatment to bone. To overcome this challenge, Benoit's research seeks to develop drug delivery approaches to efficiently and specifically target anabolic drugs to bone to develop novel treatments for osteoporosis. Successful completion of this research will significantly advance therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis and the approaches developed will be readily adaptable to treat other bone diseases.
Read More: Danielle Benoit Receives NSF Faculty Early Career AwardJomy Varghese Receives Medical Faculty Council Travel Award in Basic Science Research
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Benoit Lab graduate student, Jomy Varghese is a recipient of the Medical Faculty Council URSMD Trainee / Student Travel Award for Winter 2015 in Basic Science Research. The Medical Faculty Council is proud to be able to support his promising academic work by assisting with travel costs (up to a total of $1000) for his research presentation at a scientific conference. Congrats Jomy!
Benoit Lab Publishes Paper in Tissue Engineering
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
The Benoit Lab has published a new paper, entitled, Development of poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels for salivary gland tissue engineering applications
, in the journal of Tissue Engineering, Part A.
Benoit Lab Publishes Article in ACS Nano
Monday, February 9, 2015
The Benoit Lab's article, pH-activated Nanoparticles for Controlled Topical Delivery of Farnesol to Disrupt Oral Biofilm Virulence
has been published in ACS Nano. The authors of this work are Benjamin Horev, Marlise Klein, Geelsu Hwang, Yong Li, Dongyeop Kim, Hyun Koo, and Danielle Benoit.
Andrew Shubin Awarded Grant from National Cancer Institute
Monday, January 12, 2015
Andrew Shubin, a graduate student in Danielle Benoit’s lab, was awarded an F30 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for his project titled Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels for Salivary Gland Regeneration.
Radiation for head and neck cancers causes severe damage to salivary glands resulting in permanent dry mouth. This issue greatly affects the quality of life for cancer survivors, as proper saliva production is essential for eating, speaking, and oral hygiene. This project aims to develop at 3D tissue engineering scaffold utilizing poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels in order to regenerate salivary gland tissue to help treat this condition.
Danielle Benoit Recognized as 2015 Young Innovator in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Danielle Benoit, James P. Wilmot Distinguished Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, has been selected by the Biomedical Engineering Society to contribute a full-length research article to the 2015 Young Innovators Special Issue of the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Journal. Benoit is also invited to present her work in a special two-part platform session at the 2015 Fall BMES Conference. Congratulations, Danielle!
Timothy Felong Wins Undergraduate Research Initiative Award
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Current BME undergraduate student in the Benoit lab, Timothy Felong, has won the Undergraduate Research Initiative Award 2014/15, organized by the Friends of the UR Libraries (FURL). The committee unanimously chose his entry, Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Approaches for the Salivary Gland, as the most outstanding application for this award in its inaugural season.
To receive the award, Tim has been invited to attend the first meeting in the new semester, which will take place January 15, 2015 at 4 pm in the Gamble Room of Rush Rhees. Congrats Tim!
Amanda Chen Receives 2015 Student Award for Outstanding Research
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Amanda receiving her undergraduate
research award at the Society for Biomaterials.
Benoit lab undergraduate student, Amanda Chen, has been chosen to receive a 2015 Student Award for Outstanding Research from the Society for Biomaterials. This award is given to student researchers who have shown outstanding achievement in biomaterials research.
As the recipient, Amanda will receive $500 travel expense reimbursement towards the SFB 2015 Annual Meeting in Charlotte in April 2015. Congratulations Amanda!
Read More: Amanda Chen Receives 2015 Student Award for Outstanding ResearchAndrew Shubin and Aisha Siebert Receive Awards for Top Posters at the APSA Conference
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Andrew Shubin with fellow Rochester MSTP student
(and also poster award winner) Aisha Siebert displaying their
prize of fancy chocolates.
MSTP students, Andrew Shubin and Aisha Siebert received awards for top poster at the American Physician Scientist Association Northeast Regional Conference in New York City on Nov 1st, 2014. Andrew Shubin's Poster: Development of Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels for salivary gland regeneration was selected as one of the top 3 posters.
Andrew is currently doing PhD research in the Benoit lab and Aisha is doing research with Jack Werren on Extended phenotype of ectoparasitic wasp (Nasonia) venoms - epigentics, genomics and therapeutic applications.
Van Hove and Hoffman Win Awards at 4th Annual Center for Musculoskeletal Research Symposium
Friday, September 12, 2014
At the 4th Annual Center for Musculoskeletal Research Symposium, Amy Van Hove was selected as a finalist for the predoctoral training award for her talk entitled: Development and in vitro assessment of enzymatically-responsive poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels for the delivery of therapeutic peptides.
Additionally, Michael Hoffman, won the postdoctoral training award for his talk entitled: Exposure of MSCs to Methacrylate-Based Polymerizations Increases Cellular ROS and Reduces Differentiation Capacity.
Congratulations to them both!
Benoit Lab Publishes Article in Biomacromolecules
Monday, June 23, 2014
The Benoit lab has published an article, Poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-based diblock copolymer in the journal of Biomacromolecules. Co-authors on the paper were students Michael Baranello and Louisa Bauer.
Benoit Research Team Publishes Article in Acta Biomaterialia
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
When stem cells are used to regenerate bone tissue, many wind up migrating away from the repair site, which disrupts the healing process. But a technique employed by BMES Member Danielle Benoit and her University of Rochester research team keeps the stem cells in place, resulting in faster and better tissue regeneration.
The key, as explained in a paper published in Acta Biomaterialia, is encasing the stem cells in polymers that attract water and disappear when their work is done. The technique is similar to what has already been used to repair other types of tissue, including cartilage, but had never been tried on bone.
Our success opens the door for many-and more complicated-types of bone repair,
said Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Benoit. For example, we should now be able to pinpoint repairs within the periosteum-or outer membrane of bone material.
Read More: Benoit Research Team Publishes Article in Acta BiomaterialiaBetter Tissue Healing with Disappearing Hydrogels
Monday, June 9, 2014
When stem cells are used to regenerate bone tissue, many wind up migrating away from the repair site, which disrupts the healing process. But a technique employed by a University of Rochester research team keeps the stem cells in place, resulting in faster and better tissue regeneration. The key, as explained in a paper published in Acta Biomaterialia, is encasing the stem cells in polymers that attract water and disappear when their work is done. Click for full story.
Read More: Better Tissue Healing with Disappearing HydrogelsLemonade to Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Educators and students from the University of Rochester were out selling lemonade on Sunday to raise awareness for
childhood cancer. While handing out glasses, professors were also explaining their research in childhood cancer
therapies.
The money raised goes to the Alex's Lemonade Stand
Foundation which has raised more than $1 million to help fund cancer research for young children across the
country.
Read More: Lemonade to Raise Awareness for Childhood CancerResearchers Sell Lemonade to Fight Childhood Cancer
Friday, June 6, 2014
Danielle Benoit, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and fellow researchers will be serving lemonade and explaining their research in childhood cancer therapies at the fifth annual Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand at the Rochester Public Market and the Brighton Farmers Market this weekend.
Read More: Researchers Sell Lemonade to Fight Childhood Cancer5th Annual Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand Set to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer
Thursday, May 29, 2014
The Benoit Lab will once again participate in Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Lemonade Days to raise money and awareness for the fight against childhood cancers. The fundraiser will be held at the Rochester Public Market on Saturday June 7th, from 10am-1pm.
Founded by an inspiring young girl, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a national organization that supports some of the research currently performed in the Benoit Laboratory.
BME Class of 2014 Awards
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
BME Faculty Award for Undergraduate Service: Tiffany Kobee, '14
Recognizes an outstanding student for service to the Department of Biomedical Engineering. These efforts may include leadership in undergraduate organizations, engineering activities, or teaching activities.
BME Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research: Amanda Chen, '14
Recognizes an outstanding student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering for research excellence. The criterion for eligibility is authorship on a published manuscript or abstract, or presenting author of a public presentation or poster (internal or external).
BME Faculty Award for Teaching Assistant: Karen Meess, '14 and Kristen Harding, '14
Recognizes an outstanding student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering for teaching assistant excellence.
BME Outstanding Senior: Amanda Chen, '14 and Kyle Fedorchak, '14
In recognition of his academic excellence and achievement in Biomedical Engineering.
BME Outstanding Junior: Stacie Zwolski, '15
In recognition for her academic excellence and achievement in Biomedical Engineering.
Tau Beta Pi Prize: Amanda Chen, '14
Recognizes a Tau Beta Pi senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership, and sterling character has excelled and inspired fellow students.
G. Harold Hook Prize: Jacob VanderBurgh, '14
Awarded to a Hajim School student who has demonstrated an above-average interest in engineering or computer science.
Donald M. Barnard Scholarship Award: Karen Meess, '14, Benjamin Vespone, '14, and Ioannis Zambetakis, '14
Hajim School student who is a junior or senior and shows personal achievement as well as good personal qualities.
Congratulations to Chris Schmitt for a successfully defending his M.S. Thesis in Chemical Engineering!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Congratulations to Chris Schmitt for a successfully defending his M.S. Thesis in Chemical Engineering! Chris worked in the Benoit Lab, and his project, Peptide-functionalized polymers for bone targeted drug delivery systems, was supported by NIH grants P30 ES01247, K12 ES019852, and the University of Rochester’s Technology Development Fund.
Three BME Students Awarded Whitaker Scholarships
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Biomedical Engineering students Echoe Bouta, Jason Inzana, and Amanda Chen have been awarded a 2014-2015 Whitaker International Program Scholarship grant. Echoe is a PhD candidate from Professor Edward Schwarz's Lab and will be pursuing her post-doctoral training at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland. Jason is a PhD candidate in Professor Hani Awad's Lab and will be pursuing his post-doctoral research at the AO Research Institute in Davos, Switzerland. Amanda is currently a senior working in Danielle Benoit's Lab and will be pursuing a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, working with Professor Nigel Slater.
Congratulations to all of you!
Amanda Chen Receives Prestigious National Science Foundation Research Fellowship
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Amanda Chen, a senior BME student and undergraduate research assistant in the Benoit Lab, received a prestigious National Science Foundation Research Fellowship, and first year BME graduate student Bentley Hunt, received an NSF Honorable Mention. The fellowship, which is part of a federally sponsored program, provides up to three years of graduate study support for students pursing doctoral or research-based master's degrees.
Congratulations to Michael Hoffman for a successfully defending his Ph.D. Thesis!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Congratulations to Michael Hoffman for a successfully defending his Ph.D. Thesis! Michael worked in the Benoit Lab, and his project, Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants, was supported by an NIH T32 training grant 'Training in Orthopaedic Research'.
Congratulations to Andrew Shubin for a Successful Qualifying Exam!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Congratulations to Andrew Shubin for a Successful Qualifying Exam! Andrew is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab, and his current project is Developing hydrogels for the regeneration of salivary glands.
Van Hove, Wilson, Benoit Publish Paper in Jove
Friday, November 1, 2013
Amy Van Hove, Brandon Wilson and Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. have published an article entitled, Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Poly(ethylene glycol) and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation, in the Journal of Visualized Experiments (Jove). The paper discussed one of the main benefits to using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macromers in hydrogel formation is synthetic versatility. The ability to draw from a large variety of PEG molecular weights and configurations (arm number, arm length, and branching pattern) affords researchers tight control over resulting hydrogel structures and properties, including Young's modulus and mesh size. To view the video which illustrates a rapid, efficient, solvent-free, microwave-assisted method to methacrylate PEG precursors into poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDM) click here.
Read More: Van Hove, Wilson, Benoit Publish Paper in JoveClose Ties with Med Center Aid Quest to Heal Traumatic Injuries
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Jason Inzana and Dr. Hani Awad
A recent article in Hajim School of Engineering' and Applied Sciences' newsletter, The Full Spectrum, features examples of how tissue engineering research at the Biomedical Engineering Department, much of which is conducted in preclinical models to heal traumatic injuries, is bolstered by the work of BME faculty and graduate students in the laboratories of professors Awad, Benoit, and Buckley, capitalizing on close ties with the Center for Musculoskeletal Research.
As part of a consortium of research projects funded by AOTrauma, Dr. Hani Awad and his lab members are using new 3D printing technology to fabricate bone scaffolds made of biocompatible material to replace the original bone tissue lost to infection. As part of the printing
process, the scaffolds can be ink-jetted
with antibiotics to fight the infection and with growth factors to stimulate replacement bone growth. These therapeutics can be applied to the surface of the graft, or embedded uniformly in it, so they can be released gradually, as the graft dissolves, to ensure the infection is eradicated and to stimulate regeneration of the bone tissue.
Dr. Danielle Benoit
Dr. Mark Buckley
With support from a National Institutes of Health grant, Dr. Danielle Benoit's team is exploring the use of hydrogels - Jell-O-like polymers - that can be seeded with the patient's own stem cells and wrapped around the transplant. Benoit's graduate student Michael Hoffman has demonstrated that as the hydrogel dissolves, the stem cells are gradually released and promote bone healing and integration. Benoit is exploring various ways in which this can all be orchestrated to maximize graft healing and integration.
Dr. Mark Buckley, who joined biomedical engineering as an assistant professor at the start of the year, is studying heat buildup in tendons as they are stretched during various activities and the extent to which this contributes to cell death and eventual deterioration of the tendon. A key part of this research involves characterizing exactly what constitutes healthy tendon structure and function.
Read More: Close Ties with Med Center Aid Quest to Heal Traumatic InjuriesCongratulations to Amy Van Hove for a Successful Qualifying Exam!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Congratulations to Amy Van Hove for a Successful Qualifying Exam! Amy is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab, and her current project is Therapeutic Biomaterials for Wound Healing Applications (Supported by an HHMI Med-Into-Grad Fellowship).
Danielle Benoit Awarded Two Year Grant From New York Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM)
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering, has been awarded a two year grant from New York Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM), for the project, entitled: Promoting MSC-mediated musculoskeletal tissue regeneration using sustained, localized sirna delivery. This research will develop hydrogel-based, sustained and localized delivery systems for small interfering RNA (siRNA) to promote mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated tissue regeneration. Our initial application for this approach is as a delivery system to enhance fracture healing.
Ovitt Article Featured on NIDCR Website
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Drs. Catherine Ovitt & Szilvia
Arany's article, Nanoparticle-mediated gene silencing confers radioprotection to salivary glands in
vivo
journal Molecular Therapy, has been featured on NIDCR website. The results of the study suggest that
optimization of in vivo siRNA-mediated silencing for clinical application could be an effective means of
protecting salivary glands in the radiation treatment of head and neck cancer. They also pointed out that the
approach has significant advantages over alternative methods, as it is limited to the salivary glands, does not
involve viruses, and the block in Pkcδ protein expression is only temporary.
BME Undergraduate Awarded Scholarship for 2013-14
Friday, June 14, 2013
BME undergraduate Amanda Chen has been awarded a Tau Beta Pi Scholarship for 2013-14, in the amount of $2,000 for a year of full-time academic study, or $1,000 for a semester or two quarters of full-time academic study. Amanda is currently studying therapeutic biomaterials for treating bone remodeling disorders in Dr. Danielle Benoit's lab. Congratulations Amanda!
Lemonade Calls Attention to Child Cancer Treatments
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Benoit Lab Lemonade Stand at the Rochester Public Market in 2012
On most days, Danielle Benoit can be found in her lab developing better ways to administer medicines for treating diseases, particularly childhood cancer. This weekend, Benoit and the other researchers in her lab will show their support for the foundation that helps fund their research. They'll put down their beakers and syringes in favor of pitchers of lemonade—in the spirit of the little girl who made it all possible.
The 4th Annual Benoit Laboratory Lemonade Stand takes place this weekend at the Rochester and Brighton public markets. Benoit, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and her fellow researchers will be serving lemonade and explaining their work on childhood cancer therapies. It's part of a national effort organized by Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
The name comes from Alexandra "Alex" Scott of Connecticut, a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. She set up lemonade stands every year before her death at age 8 to raise money so that doctors could find a cure for cancer. The idea spread, and children in other parts of the country set up their own lemonade stands to join the cause.
"Cancer affects children differently than it does adults," said Benoit. "The causes are unknown and the treatments are less-than-optimal since they were developed for adults." Cancer is also the leading cause of death for children 15 and younger.
Read More: Lemonade Calls Attention to Child Cancer TreatmentsBME Undergraduates Win President's, Dean's, and Professor's Choice Awards
Friday, April 19, 2013
Ian Marozas, a BME undergraduate in Danielle Benoit's lab, was awarded the President's Award for Undergraduate Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences, this afternoon at the Undergraduate Research Expo for his presentation Development of Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Osteoporosis. Also, Michael David won the Dean's Award for Undergraduate Research in Engineering & Applied Sciences for his talk Effect of High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes on Tendon Repair (Mentor: Dr. Robert Mooney) and Ka Lai Tsang won the Professor's Choice Award in Engineering and Applied Sciences for her poster Determination of Effective masses and parametric study of the organ of corti (Mentor: Jong-Hoon Nam).
BME Undergraduate, Amanda Chen, Named 2013 Goldwater Scholar
Friday, March 29, 2013
Biomedical Engineering (BME) Undergraduate, Amanda Chen ('14) has been selected as a 2013 Goldwater Scholar. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate.
The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Amanda is currently pursuing research in Dr. Danielle Benoit's lab focusing on Therapeutic Biomaterials for Treating Bone Remodeling Disorders. Her future goals include pursuing a Ph.D. in BME as well as continuing research in therapeutics and targeted delivery, while teaching at the university level.
Read More: BME Undergraduate, Amanda Chen, Named 2013 Goldwater ScholarDanielle Benoit Awarded Five Year Grant From NIH
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering, has been awarded a five year grant from National Institutes of Health, specifically the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), for the project, entitled: Tissue engineering strategies to revitalize bone allografts. This project focuses on the revitalization of allografts using tissue-engineering strategies to recapitulate critical healing functions of the periosteum. Our objective is to develop periosteum mimetics composed of synthetic hydrogels (poly(ethylene glycol), PEG) for MSC transplantation to:
- Promote cell-mediated allograft healing/integration
- Isolate the critical factors of the periosteum in healing
- Develop cell-free therapies that result in complete allograft healing and integration.
BME Graduate Student Publishes Review in Clinical Orthopaedics Journal
Monday, February 25, 2013
BME Graduate Student, Michael Hoffman, has had a review he wrote, Engineering the periosteum: revitalizing allografts by mimicking autograft healing published by the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. Michael is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab working on the project, Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants, which is supported by an NIH T32 training grant 'Training in Orthopaedics'.
BME Graduate Student, Michael Hoffman Publishes Article
Sunday, February 17, 2013
BME Graduate Student, Michael Hoffman, had his first publication, based on his thesis research accepted by the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Michael is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab working on the project, Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants, which is supported by an NIH T32 training grant 'Training in Orthopaedics'.
Congrats to Dr. Danielle Benoit on the Birth of her Son, Raymond James
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. and her husband, Pat, are delighted to announce the birth of their son, Raymond James Benoit greeted the world promptly at 6:26 AM on February 9th (his due date), weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and measuring 19.25 inches. The entire BME family is excited and wishes to extend their congratulations to Dr. Benoit!
Congratulations to Michael Hoffman for a Successful Qualifying Exam
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Congratulations to Michael Hoffman for a Successful Qualifying Exam! Michael is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab, and his current project, Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants, is supported by an NIH T32 training grant 'Training in Orthopaedics'.
Congratulations to Michael Baranello for a Successful Qualifying Exam!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Congratulations to Michael Baranello for a Successful Qualifying Exam! Mike is currently a graduate student in the Benoit Lab, and his current project is Use of Polymer Micelles to Enhance Cancer Therapeutics
Drs. Ovitt and Benoit Awarded NIH Grant
Friday, September 14, 2012
Salivary gland cells are viable encapsulated within hydrogels: A dissociated cell prep
prepared from whole submandibular gland was seeded into PEG hydrogels and incubated in serum-free media.
Biomedical Genetics assistant professor, Catherine Ovitt,
Ph.D. and Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, have been awarded a four year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the project,
entitled Hydrogel encapsulation of salivary gland cells promotes cell survival, proliferation, and assembly.
This project deals with potential utility of adult stem or progenitor cells for repair of radiation-damaged salivary
glands. While the potential is high, it is currently only a theoretical solution for patients suffering from
xerostomia. There remain several critical obstacles that must be resolved before cell-based therapy for
dysfunctional salivary glands can be moved into the clinical arena. These include the identification of appropriate
donor cells, the technology for promoting implantation, and direct functional assays to assess the outcomes.
The goal is to determine if the use of hydrogels can promote in vivo differentiation of transplanted
progenitor cells. The successful completion of this project will establish a foundation for subsequent translational
research to progress the technology into clinical applications.
For more information please visit the Ovitt Lab and the Benoit Lab.
Danielle Benoit Receives NSF Research Grant
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Danielle Benoit, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, has been chosen for a 3-year, $420,000 National Science Foundation award in support of her project, Developing materials strategies to control siRNA spatial and temporal delivery to engineer multicomponent tissues.
Former Student, Dan Reynolds Receives NIH Training Grant
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Congratulations to former student, Dan Reynolds who has been chosen by Boston University to participate in an NIH Graduate Student Training Grant in Biomaterials. The program emphasizes translational research and includes opportunities to participate in clinical research, entrepreneurial classes, and industrial internships.
Fundraiser Helps Fund Research for Childhood Cancer
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Learning how to twist long, narrow balloons into animal shapes took almost no time for the crew from
Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab at the University of Rochester. They're prepared for the longer haul of figuring out how to kill cancer stem cells with drugs while leaving normal, healthy cells alone.
The dozen or so undergraduates, grad students and post-docs of the lab headed by Danielle Benoit
sold lemonade to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which funds research to find a cure for childhood cancer. The foundation has awarded Benoit's lab $40,000 for each of four years for work in nanotechnology. This is third time the lab has run the stand during the foundation's National Lemonade Days.
The students raised $360 Saturday at the Rochester Public Market and $370 Sunday at the Brighton Farmers Market at Brighton High School toward its goal of $4,000. They've collected more than $900 online, with a few more weeks to go.
BME Undergraduate Michael Bux Awarded Prestigious Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Michael Bux, BME Junior in the laboratory of Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. was recently awarded a SEAS Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship. The SEAS Xerox Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program to provide engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in SEAS during the summer preceding their senior year. Additionally, students will receive independent study course credit for the continuation of their work during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance, and intellectual ability and curiosity.
Benoit Lab To Host 3rd Annual Alex's Lemonade Stand Fundraiser in June
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Benoit Lab at one of their Alex's Lemonade Stand Fundraisers
Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. and her Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab, will once again give back by hosting their
3rd annual Alex's Lemonade Stand fundraiser for ALSF at the Rochester Public Market and the Brighton Farmers'
Market June 9-10. Last year's fundraiser for cancer was a rousing success as the lab raised over $2000, and Dr.
Benoit hopes to raise even more this year. The lab continues to urge friends, family, and colleagues to contribute
in person and online to help support ALSF.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged
from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra Alex
Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old
Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with
cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising
movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. If you would like
to contribute to this effort, please visit the Benoit Lab's ALSF Lemonade Stand.
BME & ChE Students Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
Friday, March 30, 2012
Two current BME and Chemical Engineering students and a BME alumna have received prestigious National Science Foundation Research Fellowships. BME graduate student, Jason Inzana (Awad Lab), Michael Baranello, a Chemical Engineering Ph.D. student in the Benoit Lab, and Molly Boutin, an alumnus of the Benoit lab (undergraduate research assistant), were among those who received the fellowships.
Selection for these awards is based on the students' outstanding abilities and accomplishments, as well as their potential to contribute to strengthening the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. The fellowship, which is part of a federally sponsored program, provides three years of graduate study support for students pursing doctoral degrees. The fellowship includes a three-year annual stipend of $30,000, a $10,500 educational allowance to the institution, and international research opportunities.
Read More: BME & ChE Students Awarded NSF Graduate Research FellowshipsBME Graduate Student Michael Hoffman Awarded Pre-Doctoral Trainee Seat
Monday, December 19, 2011
BME graduate student, Michael Hoffman has been selected by the Education Committee in the CMSR at the University of Rochester to assume one of the highly sought after pre-doctoral training seats on the Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH T32 Training Grant.
Michael will continue to pursue research under Dr. Danielle Benoit and will be provided a $21,600 stipend along with $4,200 towards his benefits rate and $1,000 travel budget. The position provides 3 years of support.
Benoit Lab Members Place 2nd and 3rd at Biomaterials Day Conference
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Benoit lab members Kanika Vats took 2nd place (her talk titled, Exploiting thiol-ene hydrogels to control cell behavior dynamically) and Michael Baranello took 3rd place (his talk titled, Characterization and Development of Novel Parthenolide Delivery System) at the Syracuse University-University of Rochester sponsored Biomaterials Day: Interactive Biomaterials conference.
The conference was held at the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute (SBI) at Syracuse University and was a success with speakers from Cornell, UR, Renssalaer Polytechnic, and Syracuse. The organizers of the event, who have been awarded a $5000 grant from the Society for Biomaterials, are Rebecca Bader, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, at Syracuse University and Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, at the University of Rochester.
Benoit Lab Hosts 4th Graders For a Hands-On Science Experience
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Dr. Danielle Benoit instructing Mrs. Hoffend's students
on the finer points of non-Newtonian fluid.
What happens when Mrs. Hoffend's fourth grade class visits BME? Well, baking soda-vinegar volcanoes erupt, materials change color, texture, and shape, and Freaky Friday takes on a whole new meaning! The Benoit Lab set up a series of four stations around Goergen Hall and provided the fourth graders with a hands-on science learning experience. Mrs. Hoffend wanted to do a project on scientists in our local area, and learn more about the research that they are involved with. Her students spent several weeks researching, reading, and writing about the Benoit Lab in preparation for the visit.
Graduate student, Amy Van Hove worked with Mrs. Hoffend to create a memorable experience for both the fourth graders and the lab personnel. I remember science demos were one of my favorite activities in elementary school. So when Mrs. Hoffend contacted us, I was very excited about her project. Everyone involved did a great job preparing and running the demos, and we all had a great time working with the kids,
said Van Hove, who organized the event.
Graduate student, Amy Van Hove, showing Mrs. Hoffend's
students how changing temperature affects how some materials behave.
My students were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of scientists on this special day in the biomedical engineering lab at the University of Rochester. The children returned to school talking about all the wonderful things they had seen and done and many were saying they now want to be scientists! I cannot thank Dr. Benoit enough for the use of her labs, Amy for her take charge attitude to make this experience happen for the children, and for all the wonderful members of the labs that helped to make this day possible and rewarding for these young students,
said Mrs. Hoffend about the children's experience.
Syracuse University and University of Rochester to Host 2011 Biomaterials Day
Friday, September 30, 2011
On November 18, 2011, Syracuse University and the University of Rochester will hold the first
Biomaterials Day Conference
to highlight research in the Upstate New York region focused on the development of Interactive Biomaterials
that are biocompatible and elicit desired responses when interfaced with biological tissues. The conference
is to be held at the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute (SBI) at Syracuse University with a optional
Biomaterials Characterization Workshop on November 17th.
The organizers of the event, who have been awarded a $5000 grant from the Society for Biomaterials, are Rebecca Bader, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, at Syracuse University and Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, at the University of Rochester.
Read More: Syracuse University and University of Rochester to Host 2011 Biomaterials Day BME Grad Student Michael Hoffman Wins the Sodus Point Sprint Triathlon
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Michael Hoffmann
Congratulations to BME graduate student, Michael Hoffman, who won the Sodus Point Sprint Triathlon on August 14th. The triathlon consisted of a .45 mile swim, 13.1 mile bike, and 5K run. Michael is a current member of the Benoit Lab, working on the tissue engineered periosteum approaches to heal bone allograft transplants project.
Derrick German Wins First Place at UR Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Derrick German, undergraduate research student from Union College, won first place in the University of Rochester's Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium. His presentation concluded his summer experience and was entitled: Targeting the Wnt/B-catenin pathway: A therapeutic approach to bone remodeling. Congratulations Derrick!
Amy Van Hove Awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med-into-Grad Fellowship
Monday, August 1, 2011
Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Grant from Leukemia Research Foundation
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Biomedical Engineering assistant professor, Dr. Danielle Benoit has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF). Dr. Benoit's Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab conducts research on developing new treatments for childhood leukemia by using synthetic hydrogels and polymers formed using reversible-addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). In 1946, the Leukemia Research Foundation was established in Chicago to memorialize 12-year-old Sherwin Pessin. Since that time nearly 65 years ago, LRF has raised more than $48 million.
Benoit Lab Hosts 2nd Annual Alex's Lemonade Stand Fundraiser
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Recently Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. received the Young Investigator Award from the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) for a grant developing new treatments for childhood leukemia. To give back, Benoit and the Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab held their 2nd annual lemonade stand fundraiser at the Rochester Public Market and the Brighton Farmers' Market over the weekend of June 11. Last year the lab raised $865, and Dr. Benoit had hoped to raise $1,000 this year. But when that goal was meet earlier than expected, Dr. Benoit challenged the lab to higher stakes—raising the goal to $2,000. Urging friends, family, and colleagues to contribute in person and online as well as furnishing over 20 gallons of lemonade at the markets, the lab has raised $2020.53 for ALSF.
The lemonade stands are fantastic. They give us a unique opportunity to educate the Rochester area about our research at the University of Rochester as well as the mission of ALSF. Plus they are a lot of fun!,
said Dr. Benoit about her lab's participation in Alex's Lemonade Stand. If you would like
to contribute to this effort, please visit the Benoit Lab's ALSF Lemonade Stand.
Dr. Danielle Benoit Selected as a WHEEL Scholar
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Congratulations to BME
professor, Dr. Danielle Benoit who just received a WHEEL
Award. Dr. Benoit is working on a grant entitled, Inhibition of Bone Formation by Lead: Rescue with a Targeted Polymer Therapeutic,
and will be mentored by Dr. J. Edward Puzas from the Center for Musculoskeletal Research and Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta, Professor of Environmental Medicine.
The Women's Health and the Environment over the Entire Lifespan (WHEEL) program is a K-12 training program funded by NICHD and NIEHS through the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Program. The grant was received by the URMC Obstetrics and Gynecology Department last September. It funds four scholars and is aimed at helping them to launch independent research careers.
Students and Faculty Recognized at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Friday, April 15, 2011
Congratulations to the RCBU and
BME students whose work was recognized at the prestigious
annual University of Rochester Undergraduate Research Exposition 2011. Undergraduate students from
RCBU and BME research laboratories participated in the symposium.
BME undergrads Benjamin Freedman '11 and Kelli Summers '11 were both invited
to speak at the Engineering and Applied Sciences Symposium Talks.
Freedman discussed his work, What is Q-Angle really measuring? A novel alternative to predict patellar maltracking,
which received the Dean's Award. Summers spoke about her research with Dr. James McGrath,
Mechanisms Underlying Collective Cell Migration in Vitro, which was recognized by President Seligman with the President's
Award. Aaron Zakrzewski (ME '11), mentored by
Mechanical Engineering
Professor Sheryl Gracewski,
gave an oral presentation of his research titled Natural frequency of bubbles within rigid and compliant tubes.
Aaron also received a Deans' Award for Undergraduate Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences for his presentation.
In addition, five of the seven poster exhibitions from the Hajim
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences were by BME students:
- Molly Boutin (Benoit Lab) BME '11
- A Polymeric Delivery System to Induce Differentiation in hMSCs
- Jasmine Carvalho (Dalecki Lab) BME '11
- Investigations of Ultrasound Parameters to Promote Spatial Organization of Cells in Three-Dimensional Engineered Tissues
- Vlabhav Kakkad (McAleavey Lab) BME '12
- Experimental Implementation of Shear Wave Induced Phase Encoding Imaging
- Angela Ketterer (Carney Lab) BME '12
- Design and Implementation of a Behavioral Apparatus for Auditory Research in Birds
- Hannah Watkins (Benoit Lab) BME '11
- Novel Parthenolide Delivery System for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment
- (Received the Professor's Choice Award)
Read More: Students and Faculty Recognized at the Undergraduate Research SymposiumBenoit Lab Members to Present at UG Research Expo
Monday, April 11, 2011
Current Benoit Lab members, Molly Boutin (BME senior) and Hannah Watkins (BME senior) will be presenting their research at the Undergraduate Research Exposition 2011, April 15th from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. The Exposition will be comprised of two venues for the presentation of undergraduate research: a Symposium for twelve oral presentations and a Poster Presentation Fair. The Symposium will include participants selected by judges, reflecting the most accomplished undergraduate work throughout the College.
BME Students Awarded Fellowships for Graduate Research by the National Science Foundation
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Three BME seniors received prestigious National Science Foundation Research Fellowships, and Michael Hoffman, a Ph.D. student in the Benoit Lab, received an NSF Honorable Mention. The fellowship, which is part of a federally sponsored program, provides up to three years of graduate study support for students pursing doctoral or research-based master's degrees.
The fellowship includes a three-year annual stipend of $30,000, a $10,500 educational allowance to the institution, and international research opportunities. Danielle Benoit, assistant professor in biomedical and chemical engineering at Rochester, says that the financial support provides students the flexibility to attend conferences, participate in training programs, and travel to meet with other researchers in their field.
The following graduating BME seniors received fellowships:
- Benjamin Freedman (Lerner Lab) '11
- University of Pennsylvania
- Adam Kozak '11
- Duke University
- Hannah Watkins (Benoit Lab) '11
- Cornell University
- 2011-12 Fullbright Scholarship and Whitaker International Fellowship to the United Kingdom
Read More: BME Students Awarded Fellowships for Graduate Research by the National Science FoundationBenoit Lab Members Present Their Research at the 37th Northeast Bioengineering Conference
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Current Benoit Lab members, Molly Boutin (BME senior),
Michael Hoffman (2nd year PhD student), and Hannah Watkins (BME senior) were all selected to present their research at the
37th Northeast Bioengineering Conference this past weekend at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI),
in Troy, NY. Molly won first place in the Regenerative Medicine category for her talk entitled, Evaluation of a polymeric siRNA delivery system
for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
BME Undergraduate Dan Reynolds Awarded Prestigious Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship & National Tau Beta Pi Scholarship
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Dan Reynolds, BME Junior in the laboratory of Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. was recently awarded a SEAS Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship. The SEAS Xerox Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program to provide engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate
in a research experience in SEAS during
the summer preceding their senior year. Additionally, students will receive independent study course
credit for the continuation of their work during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year.
Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance, and intellectual ability
and curiosity.
Dan will continue his work in the Benoit Lab
focusing on Cross-linked network architectures for controllable drug delivery. In addition to this honor, Dan has also
won a National Tau Beta Pi Scholarship for his senior year at UR.
Benoit Lab Awarded Grant From the Orthopaedic Research & Educational Foundation/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Benoit Lab Awarded a Grant from the Rochester/Finger Lakes Eye & Tissue Bank
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Danielle Benoit Featured on WXXI Healthy Friday
Friday, December 17, 2010
Dr. Danielle Benoit was featured on WXXI's Healthy Friday
on December 17, discussing Polymers and biomedical materials in health related issues Vitamin D Guidelines.
Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Funding From the I Care I Cure Foundation.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Dr. Danielle Benoit'sALSF grant has received co-funding from the I Care I Cure Foundation. The Benoit lab
was one of three chosen from all 2010 ALSF grants.
The I Care I Cure Foundation supports the development of, and raises public awareness about, cutting-edge, targeted therapies for childhood cancer, so the treatment of childhood cancer will be gentler and more tolerable.
Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Grant From ASLF
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Dr. Danielle Benoit's (BME) Young Investigator Grant titled: Targeted polymeric parthenolide carriers to treat childhood AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia)
, has been selected by ALSF's Scientific Advisory Board for funding. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ASLF) has raised over $30 million dollars for pediatric cancer research since 2004, and is committed to finding a cure for all types of childhood cancers.
BME Undergraduate Hannah Watkins Awarded Prestigious Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The SEAS Xerox Undergraduate Fellows Program is a highly competitive program to provide engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in SEAS during the summer preceding their senior year. Additionally, students will receive independent study course credit for the continuation of their work during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance, and intellectual ability and curiosity. Hannah will continue her work in the Benoit Lab focusing on Hydrogel Culture Environments for Regenerative Medicine Applications.