2025-2026 Cohort
Aarti Patel
Aarti Patel is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University whose research focuses on developing advanced microphysiological systems to study placental biology and pregnancy-related diseases. Her work centers on engineering a human-specific placenta-on-a-chip model that integrates physiologically relevant mechanical cues, including tissue topography, fluid shear stress, and substrate stiffness, to better replicate the structure and function of the human placenta. By creating more biologically representative models of the placental barrier, she aims to enable therapeutic testing, disease modeling, and the development of regenerative strategies for conditions such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Prior to Northwestern, she worked in Dr. Natalia Higuita-Castro's Nanomedicine Lab at The Ohio State University, where she gained foundational experience in extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation and characterization, fluorescent microscopy, and in vivo studies with mice. Her research investigated EV engineering for genetic therapies targeting Neurofibromatosis Type 1.
Sydney Wiggins
Sydney Wiggins is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University whose research focuses on regenerative engineering, biofabrication, and tissue engineering for organ regeneration. Her work investigates the development of advanced biomaterials and engineered tissue constructs for bladder regeneration, with an emphasis on biodegradable, conductive polymer scaffolds that combine regenerative and sensing capabilities. By integrating microfabrication, biomaterial synthesis, and bioelectronic technologies, she aims to create next-generation bladder augmentation therapies that not only promote tissue repair but also provide real-time monitoring and control of bladder function. Her broader research interests include 3D printing and bioprinting technologies, whole-organ tissue engineering, and the design of bioresorbable polymers that can improve the translation of regenerative therapies into clinical practice.
Wiggins earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from The Ohio State University, graduating with honors and a strong academic record before pursuing doctoral studies at Northwestern University. As an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Derek Hansford's Microfluidics Lab at Ohio State, she studied glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles using bioreactor culture systems and advanced isolation and characterization techniques. Her experience also includes product development work at Enable Injections, where she supported testing and analysis of portable drug-delivery systems, and extensive teaching experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant in biomedical engineering and engineering fundamentals courses. Her work in the RE-Training program is undertaken in collaboration with Dr. Guillermo Ameer, Dr. Arun Sharma and Dr. Earl Cheng.