Principal Investigator
dr. bret ulery
I joined the Department of Biomedical, Biological, and Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri as an Assistant Professor in August 2014. After earning a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering and a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa in 2006, I conducted graduate research with Dr. Balaji Narasimhan at Iowa State University and received my Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a Graduate Minor in Immunobiology in 2010. Following completion of my doctoral studies, I spent two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Cato Laurencin’s research group in the Institute for Regenerative Engineering at the University of Connecticut Health Center followed by eighteen months as a Postdoctoral Scholar under the advisement of Dr. Matt Tirrell at the University of Chicago. As the Principal Investigator of the Biomodulatory Materials Engineering Laboratory (BioMEL), I lead a diverse team of researchers focusing on the synthesis of novel biomaterials to address a wide range of unmet clinical needs. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife who is a Veterinarian (the real Dr. Ulery in the family) walking our two beagles, Colby and Jack, around campus and all over Columbia. I also like to travel, jog in half-marathons, and attend University of Iowa and Chicago sporting events.
Doctoral Students
Agustin Barcellona
My name is Agustin Barcellona and I am currently a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. My research involves peptide amphiphile micelles and their use in immunosuppressive drug delivery, and I am currently working on a glutathione amphiphile micelle project. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer with my friends, playing guitar, and playing chess with my roommates. After graduating, I hope to find a career involving lab research related to immunology.
August Hemmerla
Hello, I’m a first year masters student in Biological Engineering here at Mizzou. My research within BioMEL focuses on using simple signaling molecules (SSM) for induction and protection of neural stem cells for the development of degradable bioactive polymers. Outside of the lab, I enjoy tutoring, conversational language exchange, and camping and visiting national parks. Ultimately, I would like to pursue academic research after finishing an MD-PhD program.
Danielle McTigue
My name is Danielle McTigue, and I am an MD-PhD student completing my PhD in the Biomedical Engineering program. My research interests include creating biomaterials for use in tissue regeneration. After graduating, I look forward to continuing research as a clinician scientist as a pediatric surgeon. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing guitar, and hiking.
Fateme Nowruzi
My name is Fateme Nowruzi and I am a PhD student studying biological engineering. My research is focused on synthesizing peptide amphiphile micelles and their application in biological engineering. In the future, I plan to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. In my free time I enjoy travelling, watching movies, walking, and spending time with my friends.
Shwetha Ramachandra
I am a PhD student in the biological engineering department, and I graduated from Northwestern University with a masters in biomedical engineering. I enjoy working with polymer scaffolds and creating novel biomaterials that leverage the host system to regenerate tissues. My current project focuses on synthesizing peptide displaying polymers and peptide amphiphiles that have the potential to endogenously program mesenchymal stem cells to secrete factors that support bone regeneration in fractures and other bone defects. In the future, I see myself pursuing a career in developing therapeutics in the field of regenerative engineering. In my free time, I enjoy painting and reading, and spending time outdoors hiking or playing ultimate frisbee.
Farnoush Rezaei
I am a Ph.D. student in the biological engineering department and got my bachelor's and master's degree in chemical engineering. My research interest includes tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. My current research is on peptide amphiphile micelles relevant to vaccine design and synthesizing peptide displaying polymer that supports bone regeneration in fractures. I am a dog lover, and I enjoy exercising and going to the gym in my free time.
Joshua Shelton
My name is Joshua and I am an MD-PhD student; I am completing my PhD as part of the Biological Engineering program, emphasizing biomedical applications. My research interests include immunological engineering and drug delivery. My current research focuses on the development of lipid nanoparticles, to treat hematological cancers, and how their properties can be manipulated to enhance the specific delivery and overall efficacy of these therapeutics. After graduating, I will pursue a career as a clinician scientist, doing drug delivery research and working as a pediatric clinician or surgeon. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, playing guitar, cooking/baking, and traveling.
Master’s Students
Jonathan Austin
My name is Jonathan Austin. I am an Accelerated Master’s student in the biological engineering program at Mizzou. My research interest is the development of tissue scaffolds for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. My current research focuses on promoting angiogenesis in bone tissue scaffolds via the controlled release of hydrogen peroxide, a simple signaling molecule (SSM). In my free time I dabble in programming and try to balance long hours spent indoors reading textbooks by spending time outside.
Alyson Kee
My name is Alyson Kee and I am a masters student in biological engineering. The research project I'm working on focuses on the utilization of hydrogen peroxide for angiogenesis in non-union bone fractures. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing soccer and golf, as well as reading. I also completed my bachelor’s degree at Mizzou and have been a member of BioMEL since my freshman year.
Undergraduate Students
Brett Boney
I am an undergraduate studying chemical engineering with an emphasis in biochemistry. My current research focuses on synthesizing polymers for eventual explorations of the GI tract. My hobbies include hiking, playing pickleball, reading, and spending time with my family.
Morgan Caster
My name is Morgan Caster, I’m an undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering with an emphasis in biomechanics. In BioMEL, I’m working on the GI Sampling Project, which focuses on developing a reliable method to accurately collect microbiome samples from the small intestine. Outside the lab, I love traveling, spending time in nature, and hanging out with friends. To de-stress, I enjoy coloring, reading, and listening to music.
Abigail Grisolano
My name is Abigail Grisolano, I am currently a senior studying chemical engineering with hopes to further my education by attending medical school! I hope to pursue a career in emergency medicine or radiology. The project I am currently working on includes the use of regenerative materials used to alleviate symptoms of osteoporosis with hopes to replace the current material being used. In my free time I love reading, hiking, watching movies, and exercising!
Christina Kasch
I am an undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry currently working with cell cultures and targeted peptide delivery. When I'm not in the lab I love travelling and playing video games, as well as hanging out with my cat. After undergrad I plan on attending medical school.
Aylin Kalabak
I am an undergraduate student majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. I am working with hematological cancers and peptide amphiphile micelle delivery. Outside of the lab, I like to exercise (I am involved with Club Fencing here at Mizzou), play chess online and read. I want to pursue a PhD and hope to find a career in research after graduation.
Emma McDougal
I am an undergraduate student in chemical engineering with minors in mathematics and political science. My project within BioMEL focuses on drug delivery, particularly synthesizing and characterizing aptamer-modified peptide amphiphile nanoparticles. Outside of the lab, I love to solve puzzles, play piano, and I’m a member of Mizzou’s Mock Trial team. I’m interested in pursuing law school after I complete my undergraduate degree with the goal of working in patent law or intellectual property law.
Marissa Moore
I am an undergraduate student majoring in chemical engineering currently in the cytoprotection subgroup. I work with Kylie and August on researching neuroprotectant molecules and developing neuroprotectant, bioactive polymers. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, people-watching, and playing around with Photoshop. I also love speech and debate and am always down to discuss public policy and international affairs. After graduating, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. and find a career in academic research.
Coleman Reese
My name is Coleman Reese, I am an undergraduate biomedical engineering major with an emphasis in biomechanics and minors in mathematics and computational neuroscience. Within the BioMEL lab group, I am working on the GI Sampling Project, where my focus is on collecting and further understanding the microbes that reside in the small intestine microbiome. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends, working out, and playing video games. Following graduation, I am still deciding whether to pursue a Master's/Ph.D. degree or transition into industry work.
Lily Schrader
My name is Lily Schrader (She/Her). I'm an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry and pursing a minor in film studies. I am currently working on polymer development for simple signaling molecule (SSM) release. Outside of the lab, I love writing, hiking, and watching movies. After I graduate, I plan on pursuing a Ph.D. and continuing in a career of academic research.
High School Students
Jillian Lybeck-Brown
I am a current junior at Rock Bridge High School. The project I’m working on is focused on synthesizing biopolymer hydrogels as a delivery system to promote muscle regeneration. Once I graduate, I hope to pursue an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. I love spending my free time enjoying the outdoors with my dogs and friends, playing clarinet, and searching for Columbia's best iced chai latte.
Veterinary Students
Austin Kimes
I am an veterinary student working in the hydrogel subgroup. My current research projects focus on developing Substance P gels, studying surgical uses of complex hydrogels, and creating novel delivery methods of vancomycin. I play the violin and piano and love to go hiking/traveling with my two dogs in my free time.
Past Members
Postdoctoral Fellows
Sam Huddleston - Currently Pursuing Opportunities
Drona Madugula - Research Scientist at Intel
Ram Tata - Currently Chemist at EAG
Doctoral Students
Soheila Ali Akbari Ghavimi - Currently Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania
Ja’Sean Holmes - Current University of Michigan PhD Student
Luke Kruse - Currently Mizzou Postdoc
Megan Schulte - Currently Mizzou Postdoc
Josiah Smith - Currently Chemical Engineer at Nalas Engineering Services
Xiaofei “Sophie” Wang - Research Scientist at Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals
Rui Zhang - Currently Senior Research Scientist at Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
Masters Students
Kylie Dahlgren - Currently Clinical Specialist in Electrophysiology at Abbott
Blake Darkow - Currently Biocompatibility Scientist at Eurofins
M. Allison Josslet - Currently Vituity Medical Scribe
Xiao Lei Li - Currently Mass General Hospital Research Technician
Bryce Lindaman - Currently Nuclear Power School Instructor, US Navy
Brett Rygelski - Currently Senior Associate Scientist at Pfizer
Undergraduate Students
Momola Adesanmi - Professional Soccer Player with UMF Fjolnir
Brittany Allen - Currently Ph.D. Student at University of Iowa
Joe Anderson - Manufacturing Development Associate at ConAgra Brands
Lauren Baratta - Currently Burns & McDonnell Assistant Chemical Engineer
Adam Boll - Currently Orthopedic Clinic Medical Scribe
Daniela Calle - Currently Moberly EMT
Emily Cheng - Currently Ph.D. Student at Northwestern University
Natalie Conomos - Currently University of Missouri Undergraduate Student
Aiden Ellis - Currently Master of Public Health in Epidemiology Student at University of Kansas
Trent Faulkner - Currently Quality Control Associate at Catalent Pharma
Conner Flatt - Currently Lurie Children’s Coordinator
Jay Froude - Currently working for Automated Engineering Services
Rosalie Garzia- Currently RSM US LLP Consulting Associate
Andrew Greenwald - Currently Process Safety Consultant at Smith & Burgess
Mollie Harrison - Currently Ph.D. Student at the University of Texas at Austin
Jake Kramer - Currently Ph.D. Student at the University of Missouri - Columbia
Reagan Krueger - Currently Burns and McDonnell Assistant I&C Engineer
Justin Lannin - Currently Emerson-Fisher Controls Sales Engineer
Nic Lauxman - Current Bayer Chemical Engineer
Caitlin Leeper - Currently Process Engineer at Black & Veatch
Ethan Lungren - Currently Ph.D. student at University of Minnesota
Mark Messler - Currently Mizzou PhD student in the Grant Lab
Logan Morton - Currently Ph.D. Student at the University of Texas at Austin
Sydney McMillan - Currently Process Engineer at Church & Dwight
Erin Newcomer - Currently Ph.D. student at Washington University in St. Louis
Julie Nguyen - Currently Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Boulder
Austin Pennebaker - Currently Associate Process Engineer at Valero Renewables
Evan Schoenherr - Currently Process Engineer at Burns & McDonnell
Gracen Seim - Currently Process Engineer at Black & Veatch
Ellie Snoke
Ava Steele - Currently Undergraduate Student at University of Missouri, Chemical Engineering
Jessica Stromsdorfer - Currently Environmental Engineer at US Environmental Protection Agency
Nick Taylor - Currently Quality Engineer at ABB
Dylan Weir - Currently Process Engineer at Bayer
Matthew Wooley - Currently Pneumatic Manager at Parker Hannifin
Yahor Vazmitsel
High School Students
Caleb Bavlnka - Currently Undergraduate at Oklahoma University
Brenna Cornelison - Currently Undergraduate at Missouri Science & Technology
Javier Cuenca - Currently Undergraduate at University of Missouri
Andie Nolla - Currently Undergraduate at Northwestern University
Madison Null - Currently Undergraduate at Case Western University
Erik Spain - Currently Undergraduate at Columbia College
Guthrie Stroh - Currently Undergraduate at Truman State University
Medical Residents
Major Benjamin Burch, M.D. M.S. - Currently Brown Spine Surgery Fellow
Joseph Herbert - Current University of Washington Neurological Surgery Fellow