Group Members

Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Amrita Natarajan

Dr Natarajan graduated with a B.D.S (Bachelor of Dental Surgery; Army College of Dental Sciences, India) and M.Tech (Nanomedical sciences; AIMS, India) degree and Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, India. She was the recipient of Senior Research Fellowship from ICMR and CSIR for her PhD work and worked as junior research fellow in DST SERB project. Dr Natarajan embarked on a meticulous research journey to explore the depths of Bioengineering (Tissue engineering and Regenerative Medicine), during which she endeavored to contribute new perspectives and insights to the field of 3D printed based Osteochondral Tissue engineering. She developed three different novel osteochondral constructs to recreate the native tissue via 3D printing for regeneration of defects caused by multi factorial pathology. Later, Dr Natarajan worked as Project Scientist C in Indian Council of Medical Research and was involved in the development of ethical guidelines, policy and supplementary guidance related to various types of biomedical research conducted in the country. Dr Natarajan joined the biomedical engineering department on a National Science Foundation funded grant addressing end stage renal diseases through AIrtificial intelligence driven renal tissue engineering. More specifically, the tissue engineered construct obtained through 3D printing, where in various design iterations are possible and the study highlights the impact of the topographical patterns in facilitating the widespread adoption and expansion, interfacial properties, behaviour of target cells and lineage specific differentiation of stem cells. Also, she has the expertise in minor and major surgical operations in oral and maxillofacial areas, Pediatric and Preventive dentistry, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Oral medicine and Radiology and Endodontics.

Dr. Pratheesh Kanakarajan

Dr. Pratheesh KV works as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dr. Vineeth Vijayan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering at Alabama State University. Dr. Pratheesh has research experience in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine. He completed his PhD with Prof. T. V. Anilkumar, Scientist G, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. His PhD research involved developing an injectable hydrogel derived from the extracellular matrix of porcine gallbladder, a biomaterial for accelerating the healing process of wounds without scarring. Dr. Pratheesh brings with him a significant commitment to biomaterial engineering, physicochemical characterizations, in vitro and in vivo evaluations, histotechnology, and molecular evaluation in regenerative medicine. He holds eight Australian Innovation Patents and one Indian patent from his PhD research. He contributed significantly to the development of India’s First-Class D Medical Device of animal origin-Cholederm™, regulated under the Medical Device Rules 2017 (Government of India). Dr. Pratheesh has published over eight peer-reviewed articles and continues to explore innovative solutions in biomedical engineering. He continues to drive innovation at the intersection of biomaterials and clinical applications, accelerating breakthroughs in tissue engineering.

Jenise Jones-Coleman, a 23 year old undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Student at Alabama State University. Under the guidance of Dr. Vineeth and Dr. Amrita. Jenis is currently working on a interdiscplinary research project related to hydrogels fabrication , plasma surface modification, 3D printing and in vitro cell studies. Being apart of this research is only a stepping stone towards her goal to develop innovative healthcare solutions that address the needs of under served communities. Outside the lab she is a proud member of National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE), the BioMed club on campus just to name a few.

Students
Jenise Jones-Coleman

Ghasilia Stewart

Hi! My name is Ghasilia Stewart and I am a freshman biomedical engineering major here at Alabama State University. I am particularly interested in learning how to design technologies and machines that can improve the health and quality of life of others. My interests in the lia kidneys and their function began when I dissected one in my high school biology lab. A particularly sensitive and important organ, damage to the kidneys are often irreversible and can greatly affect the life of affected individuals. As such, I am interested in how we can study the kidney and its parts to bring about new ideas that can help to alleviate and repair kidney damage. Ghasilia is currently working on a project of visoelasticity modulation of hydrogels to understand the relationship between the biomechanical properties and renal cell growth.

Jasmine Carpenter

My name is Jasmine Carpenter, an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Engineering here at Alabama State University. My interests include Imaging Technology and medical devices as well as Biomaterials. I am currently working a project focusing on the generation of lattice structures scaffolding for biomaterials in bone engineering. My goal is to be able to create innovative technology in the healthcare field that is accessible to all. My other activities on campus include by a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

Ellaijah Barnes

I am a senior with interests in biomaterials and wound healing, with an emphasis on the effects of diabetes. Last summer I was apart of a REU at the University of Pennsylvania where I conducted cortical bone research. Currently, i am working on the development of lattice structure biomaterial for tissue engineering.