REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAM

Nikita John’s work focuses on improving treatments for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is caused by plaques in the arteries of the leg preventing adequate blood flow to the rest of the limb, leading to degradation of the surrounding muscle. She is fabricating a targeted delivery system to provide the nutrient-deprived muscles in with an alternate energy in order to promote the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue and prevent further muscle loss as well. With this, she also plans to study the underlying molecular mechanisms of how this alternate energy source promotes muscle regeneration and protects from further damage. This, in the long term, should provide PAD patients with increased mobility.

Nikita earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University, with a minor in Mathematics. At Rutgers, she worked in Dr. Yong Mao’s lab, studying how primary cells interacted with novel biomaterials, with the focus of regenerating tissues such as tendons and bone. She is currently enrolled in the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at Northwestern University, advised by Dr. Bin Jiang. Her work in the RE-Training program is undertaken by Dr. Bin Jiang, Dr. Clara Peek, and Dr. Karen Ho.

 

Rebecca Riter’s research focuses on identifying and developing methods to protect and regenerate neurons of the central nervous system following neurotrauma, specifically spinal cord injury, to preserve sensorimotor function. These efforts will focus on establishing fundamental knowledge on the effects of potential therapeutic technologies, such as low frequency electromagnetic fields, on the plasticity, differentiation, and proliferation of cells in the spinal cord. The goal is to use this knowledge to better inform and develop neuroprotective and regenerative interventions. 

Riter earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2022 before pursuing her Ph.D. at Northwestern University under the advisement of Dr. Guillermo Ameer. Riter is completing her work in the RE-Training program with mentorship from Drs. Guillermo Ameer, John Kessler, and Najib El Tecle.