AT WORK...
LAB MEMBERS
Alice A. Tomei, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Miami
1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Annex 208
Coral Gables, FL-33146
Office: 305-284-8194
atomei@miami.edu
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-3469
Dr. Tomei’s background uniquely combines expertise in bioengineering and immunology and she is applying her skills to the development of novel immunoengineering platforms to prevent rejection after islet transplantation and to promote antigen-specific tolerance for a cure of type-1 diabetes. To that end, her strategy is to design and develop novel technology platforms with strong clinical translation potential that are supported by solid mechanistic studies in preclinical models of type-1 diabetes that are relevant to the human disease. Her enthusiastic commitment to type-1 diabetes cure-focused research is matched by a solid track record of academic achievements and translational efforts.
She has trained in the best engineering school in Italy, the Politecnico di Milano. Then, she conducted her PhD work at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, under the mentorship of Dr. Melody Swartz, world leader in lymphatic and cancer mechanobiology. Then, Dr. Tomei conducted her postdoctoral fellowship at EPFL in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell, world leader in molecular engineering, and in collaboration with Dr. Cherie Stabler, a leader in diabetes bioengineering research.
In recognition of these accomplishments, in 2012, Dr. Tomei was invited to become part of the prestigious Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) encapsulation consortium, which gathers the world leaders in islet encapsulation and transplantation, and promotes collaborations, sharing of data and protocols with the overall goal of advancing the field.
Dr. Tomei has presented her research work at several international conferences, including an invited oral presentation at the Key Opinion Leaders Meeting on Stem Cell Derived Beta Cells at Harvard Medical School in Boston in October 2016, an oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Immunology of Diabetes Society in San Francisco in January 2017, an invited oral presentation at the annual meeting of the international society for cellular therapy (ISCT) in London in May 2017, and an invited oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego in June 2017. Finally, she was invited to serve as member of the grant review panels for both the JDRF and for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Dr. Tomei's research has been funded by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the Iacocca Family Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the Helmsley Trust, the Tronchetti Provera Foundation, the Children with Diabetes Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the National Institute of Health, including a recently awarded JDRF career development award and a NIH R01. In recognition of her research productivity, Dr. Tomei was awarded the Eliahu I. Jury Early Career Research Award for obtaining major research grants in 2016 and the Alexander Orr Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018 for developing a new BME wet lab and bringing innovation to the BME curriculum of the cell/tissue concentration. These important achievements further highlight her recognition in the field of immunoengineering for type-1 diabetes.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Miami
1251 Memorial Drive, McArthur Annex 208
Coral Gables, FL-33146
Office: 305-284-8194
atomei@miami.edu
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-3469
Dr. Tomei’s background uniquely combines expertise in bioengineering and immunology and she is applying her skills to the development of novel immunoengineering platforms to prevent rejection after islet transplantation and to promote antigen-specific tolerance for a cure of type-1 diabetes. To that end, her strategy is to design and develop novel technology platforms with strong clinical translation potential that are supported by solid mechanistic studies in preclinical models of type-1 diabetes that are relevant to the human disease. Her enthusiastic commitment to type-1 diabetes cure-focused research is matched by a solid track record of academic achievements and translational efforts.
She has trained in the best engineering school in Italy, the Politecnico di Milano. Then, she conducted her PhD work at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, under the mentorship of Dr. Melody Swartz, world leader in lymphatic and cancer mechanobiology. Then, Dr. Tomei conducted her postdoctoral fellowship at EPFL in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell, world leader in molecular engineering, and in collaboration with Dr. Cherie Stabler, a leader in diabetes bioengineering research.
In recognition of these accomplishments, in 2012, Dr. Tomei was invited to become part of the prestigious Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) encapsulation consortium, which gathers the world leaders in islet encapsulation and transplantation, and promotes collaborations, sharing of data and protocols with the overall goal of advancing the field.
Dr. Tomei has presented her research work at several international conferences, including an invited oral presentation at the Key Opinion Leaders Meeting on Stem Cell Derived Beta Cells at Harvard Medical School in Boston in October 2016, an oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Immunology of Diabetes Society in San Francisco in January 2017, an invited oral presentation at the annual meeting of the international society for cellular therapy (ISCT) in London in May 2017, and an invited oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego in June 2017. Finally, she was invited to serve as member of the grant review panels for both the JDRF and for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Dr. Tomei's research has been funded by the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the Iacocca Family Foundation, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the Helmsley Trust, the Tronchetti Provera Foundation, the Children with Diabetes Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the National Institute of Health, including a recently awarded JDRF career development award and a NIH R01. In recognition of her research productivity, Dr. Tomei was awarded the Eliahu I. Jury Early Career Research Award for obtaining major research grants in 2016 and the Alexander Orr Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018 for developing a new BME wet lab and bringing innovation to the BME curriculum of the cell/tissue concentration. These important achievements further highlight her recognition in the field of immunoengineering for type-1 diabetes.
Diana Velluto, Ph.D.
Assistant Scientist
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
dxv237@med.miami.edu
Dr. Velluto obtained her M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Chieti, Italy. She obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science and Organic Chemistry from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Chieti, Italy. Then, she received her Postdoctoral training in Biomaterials at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, working in the laboratory of Prof. Jeffrey Hubbell. From 2012 to 2014 she was awarded the prestigious Marie Curie fellowship to work at Queen Mary University of London in UK, where she was also lecturer in Biomedical Pharmacology. She joined Dr. Tomei’s group in 2015 in her mission to stop Diabetes.
Assistant Scientist
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
dxv237@med.miami.edu
Dr. Velluto obtained her M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Chieti, Italy. She obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science and Organic Chemistry from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Chieti, Italy. Then, she received her Postdoctoral training in Biomaterials at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, working in the laboratory of Prof. Jeffrey Hubbell. From 2012 to 2014 she was awarded the prestigious Marie Curie fellowship to work at Queen Mary University of London in UK, where she was also lecturer in Biomedical Pharmacology. She joined Dr. Tomei’s group in 2015 in her mission to stop Diabetes.
Michael Lupp, M.S.
Senior Research Associate I
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
m.lupp@umiami.edu
2011-2016: BS / MS Dual Degree Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami (BS Concentration in Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials, MS Concentration in Regulatory Controls and Medical Devices)
Skills: Computer Programming, CAD, CFR / ISO, Six Sigma Green Belt
Senior Research Associate I
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
m.lupp@umiami.edu
2011-2016: BS / MS Dual Degree Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami (BS Concentration in Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials, MS Concentration in Regulatory Controls and Medical Devices)
Skills: Computer Programming, CAD, CFR / ISO, Six Sigma Green Belt
Jay Wasserlauf, B.S.
Research Associate III
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
bwasserlauf@med.miami.edu
Jay earned his BS in Biology from Barry University. He has also completed 18 credits of undergraduate and graduate coursework in mechanical engineering at the University of Miami College of Engineering. Jay has gained experience in several areas of biomedical research, including extensive experience with animal surgical models, laboratory management, and In vivo Imaging . Additionally, Jay has been employed in the Cryogenics industry.
Research Associate III
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
bwasserlauf@med.miami.edu
Jay earned his BS in Biology from Barry University. He has also completed 18 credits of undergraduate and graduate coursework in mechanical engineering at the University of Miami College of Engineering. Jay has gained experience in several areas of biomedical research, including extensive experience with animal surgical models, laboratory management, and In vivo Imaging . Additionally, Jay has been employed in the Cryogenics industry.
Grisell Gonzalez, B.S.
Research Associate II
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
g.gonzalez29@umiami.edu
Grisell has a bachelor of science degree in Biology from the University of Miami and over two years of experience in molecular and cellular biology research.
Research Associate II
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
g.gonzalez29@umiami.edu
Grisell has a bachelor of science degree in Biology from the University of Miami and over two years of experience in molecular and cellular biology research.
Graduate Students
Freddy Gonzalez-Badillo, M.S.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
f.gonzalezbadillo@umiami.edu
2014: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at University of Miami
2012: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Universidad Rafael Urdaneta, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
f.gonzalezbadillo@umiami.edu
2014: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at University of Miami
2012: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Universidad Rafael Urdaneta, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Aaron Stock, B.S.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
aas249@miami.edu
2013: Associate of Science in Mathematics and Physics (Third Major: Chemistry) at Saint John's College (Belize)
2016: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Second Major: Chemistry, Minor: Engineering Mathematics) at Saint Louis University (Missouri)
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
aas249@miami.edu
2013: Associate of Science in Mathematics and Physics (Third Major: Chemistry) at Saint John's College (Belize)
2016: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Second Major: Chemistry, Minor: Engineering Mathematics) at Saint Louis University (Missouri)
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Flavia Zisi, M.S.
Diabetes Research Institute 1450 NW 10th Avenue Miami, FL-33136 Office: 305-243-7867 fxz106@miami.edu Flavia earned her BS in Biochemistry from the Florida Institute of Technology (May 2016) and her MS in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering from the University of Miami (May 2018). On May 2018 Flavia started her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the Diabetes Research Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Tomei. |
Teresa De Toni, B.S.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
txd332@miami.edu
Teresa De Toni received a BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from University of Padua, Italy, in 2018. She specialized in the field of “Science and Development of Drugs”.
In 2017, she joined the Islet Immunoengineering Lab at the Diabetes Research Institute to conduct her BS thesis on drug delivery systems for pancreatic islet transplantation. In May 2018, Teresa started her PhD in Biomedical Engineering the Islet Immunoengineering Lab at the Diabetes Research Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Alice Tomei.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
txd332@miami.edu
Teresa De Toni received a BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology from University of Padua, Italy, in 2018. She specialized in the field of “Science and Development of Drugs”.
In 2017, she joined the Islet Immunoengineering Lab at the Diabetes Research Institute to conduct her BS thesis on drug delivery systems for pancreatic islet transplantation. In May 2018, Teresa started her PhD in Biomedical Engineering the Islet Immunoengineering Lab at the Diabetes Research Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Alice Tomei.
Master Students
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Laura Harwell, B.S.
Diabetes Research Institute 1450 NW 10th Avenue Miami, FL-33136 Office: 305-243-7867 lah171@miami.edu Laura received her Bachelor's Degree from Long Island University (NY) in Biomedical Technology in 2017. She is currently doing her Master of Science in BME with concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (expected graduation date Dec. 2019). |
Shuaicheng Yu (Jason), B.S.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
sxy436@miami.edu
Jason received his Bachelor's Degree from Zhengjiang A & F University in Biotechnology, China, in 2018. He is currently doing his Master of Science in BME with concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Diabetes Research Institute
1450 NW 10th Avenue
Miami, FL-33136
Office: 305-243-7867
sxy436@miami.edu
Jason received his Bachelor's Degree from Zhengjiang A & F University in Biotechnology, China, in 2018. He is currently doing his Master of Science in BME with concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Undergraduate Students
Nina DiSandro
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2018-current
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2018-current
Spencer Reid
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2018-current
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2018-current
Sophia Pete
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2017-current
University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering, Junior
2017-current
International Exchange Students
Previous Members
Joshua Sussman
2017-2019 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Jay Wasserlauf, B.S.
2017-2019 Research Associate III
Current Position: Laboratory head
Luis Sosa Villegas
2017-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Shane Wright
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Boston University
Nicholas De Angelis
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Laura Morales
2015-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Yale University
Mackenzie Scully
2017-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, University of Delaware
Molly Beggs
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Sofia Vignolo
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Applying for Med school
Vickie Zhang, Ph.D.
2017-2018 Assistant Scientist
Vita Manzoli
2011-2017 Senior Research Associate II / Graduate Student
Maria Abreu, Ph.D.
2014-2016 Postdoctoral Fellow
Current Position: Research Health Science Specialist at the Miami VA Medical Center
Chiara Villa
2012-2014 Graduate Student
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Italy
Mejdi Najjar
2012-2014 Research Associate I
Current Position: Doctor of Medicine candidate, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Connor Walsh
2015-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Pre-Med
Kalina Paunovska
2014-2016 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Georgia Institute of Technology
Connor Verheyen
2014-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Whitaker Foundation Fellow at EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Joseph Reda
2015-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Senior Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering - Exchange program in Italy
Divya Ranjan Sha
2014-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Master student, Boston University
Michael Seskin
2016-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Applying for master programs
Jason Truong
2016-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Microbiology & Immunology
Current Position: Applying for Medical school
Stephen Bell
2016-2017 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, 3rd year medical student
International Exchange Students
Alessandro Luca
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2018-19 MS student
Alessandro Fasani
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2017-18 MS student
Marco Marziani
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2017-18 MS student
Alessandra Collà Ruvolo
Giuseppe Caputo
Lorena Chietti
Summer 2017 - B.S student - University of Naples - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Current Position: MS students - University of Naples - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Riccardo Masina
Imperial College of London, Biomedical Science, junior
Current Position: Medical student - Cambridge
Federica Colombo
Tommaso Cazzato
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
Andrea Dossena
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
Hermann Fruner
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
2017-2019 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Jay Wasserlauf, B.S.
2017-2019 Research Associate III
Current Position: Laboratory head
Luis Sosa Villegas
2017-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Shane Wright
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Boston University
Nicholas De Angelis
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Laura Morales
2015-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Yale University
Mackenzie Scully
2017-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, University of Delaware
Molly Beggs
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Sofia Vignolo
2016-2018 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Applying for Med school
Vickie Zhang, Ph.D.
2017-2018 Assistant Scientist
Vita Manzoli
2011-2017 Senior Research Associate II / Graduate Student
Maria Abreu, Ph.D.
2014-2016 Postdoctoral Fellow
Current Position: Research Health Science Specialist at the Miami VA Medical Center
Chiara Villa
2012-2014 Graduate Student
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Italy
Mejdi Najjar
2012-2014 Research Associate I
Current Position: Doctor of Medicine candidate, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Connor Walsh
2015-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Pre-Med
Kalina Paunovska
2014-2016 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Graduate Student, Georgia Institute of Technology
Connor Verheyen
2014-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Whitaker Foundation Fellow at EPFL, Lausanne (CH)
Joseph Reda
2015-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Senior Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering - Exchange program in Italy
Divya Ranjan Sha
2014-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Master student, Boston University
Michael Seskin
2016-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Biomedical Engineering
Current Position: Applying for master programs
Jason Truong
2016-2017 Undergraduate Student, University of Miami, Microbiology & Immunology
Current Position: Applying for Medical school
Stephen Bell
2016-2017 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, 3rd year medical student
International Exchange Students
Alessandro Luca
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2018-19 MS student
Alessandro Fasani
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2017-18 MS student
Marco Marziani
Politecnico di Milano, Biomedical Engineering, Italy
2017-18 MS student
Alessandra Collà Ruvolo
Giuseppe Caputo
Lorena Chietti
Summer 2017 - B.S student - University of Naples - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Current Position: MS students - University of Naples - Department of Mechanical Engineering
Riccardo Masina
Imperial College of London, Biomedical Science, junior
Current Position: Medical student - Cambridge
Federica Colombo
Tommaso Cazzato
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
Andrea Dossena
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
Hermann Fruner
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
MS students
