Hi everyone! I’ll be exploring the use of different biomaterials as a means of treatment for chronic medical conditions. I’m most interested in the way that the symptoms of chronic systemic illnesses, like Marfan Syndrome, can be managed with a variety of biomaterials to improve quality of life in cases where the condition itself cannot be cured.

Throughout the semester, I will examine some of the more common materials and devices used in disease management (see Figure 1), such as those present in insulin pumps, vascular grafts, and retinal implants, and discuss how the material works with its surroundings to improve symptoms as well as the benefits and risks of each application. I’m especially interested to see the broader applications of specific devices and materials across different chronic conditions. I also plan to explore more recent and developing innovations that could promise greater relief or better outcomes than existing technologies in disease management.