Current Members

Joel Collier

Theodore Kennedy Professor of Biomedical Engineering

joel.collier@duke.edu

Research Interests: The design of biomaterials for a range of biomedical applications, with a focus on understanding and controlling adaptive immune responses. Most materials investigated are created from molecular assemblies- proteins, peptides or bioconjugates that self-organize into useful structures such as nanofibers, gels, and particles.

Ciana Luisa López

Postdoctoral Fellow

ciana.lopez@duke.edu

Research Interests: Developing chemically defined immunogens; understanding trafficking, kinetics, and immune mechanisms of self-assembling peptide vaccines

Lauren Babb

BME Doctoral Candidate

lauren.babb@duke.edu

Research Interests: Designing active immunotherapies for the prevention of infectious diseases. Engineering peptide nanofiber platforms for oral delivery.

Pablo Cordero-Alvarado

BME Doctoral Candidate

p.cordero@duke.edu

Research Interests: Understand the design rules of biomaterials to elicit immune responses that can control and improve wound healing in animal models that mimic biological processes in humans.

Helena Freire Haddad

BME Doctoral Candidate

helena.freire.haddad@duke.edu

Research Interests: Engineering mucus-penetrating materials for mucosal vaccine deliveryActive immunotherapies to mitigate inflammatory diseases

Maria Kulapurathazhe

BME Doctoral Candidate

mjk84@duke.edu

Research Interests: Drug delivery, peptide platform development, aging and inflammation

Kat Lazar

BME Doctoral Student

kat.lazar@duke.edu

Research Interests: Peptide synthesis and glatiramoids

Deleah Pettie

BME Doctoral Candidate

deleah.pettie@duke.edu

Research Interests: Engineering active immunotherapies that can promote mucosal healing. Enhance epitope prediction and design for peptide nanofiber active immunotherapies.

Alistaire Rauch

BME Doctoral Candidate

alistaire.rauch@duke.edu

Research Interests: Designing active immunotherapies for Alzheimer's Disease

Zuzu Collier

Research Interests: Currently studying leporine psychology, secretly wishing it was leporine gastronomy. 

Theo Cordero

Research Interests: Theo's interests range from finding hidden toys to following trails of little treats. In his free time, he enjoys going to dog parks and making new friends. 

Appa Freire

Research Interests: Propagating sound waves in nocturnal conditions

Chicharron and Osa Berta López-Martinez

Research Interests: Cheech uses ultrasound to maintain a defined radius clear of deer and squirrels around his family’s home. Osa generates vacuum to maintain clean floors after a certain toddler throws unwanted vegetables.