330B Bonner Hall Department of Biomedical Engineering University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York 14260 Phone: (716) 645-1034 Fax: (716) 645-2207 rgzhao@buffalo.edu
My group is interested in applying advanced bio-fabrication technologies such as organ-on-chip and 3D bioprinting to develop novel engineered tissue models for disease modeling, drug discovery and damaged tissue repair.
Utilizing advanced biofabrication methods, we spatially control the mechanobiological microenvironment across multiple length scales to improve the physiological relevancy and clinical utility of engineered tissues.
We use these novel tools to study fibrosis-related diseases such as the cause and therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the effect of fibrotic tumor microenvironment on cancer immunotherapy.
Education and Training:
Fellowship, Bioengineering, Johns Hopkins University (2013)
PhD, Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials, University of Toronto (2011)
Employment:
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (2019-present)
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (2013–2019)
Awards and Honors:
The Young Innovators of Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering Society (2019)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2010)
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Doctoral Award (2009)
Grants and Sponsored Research:
July 2020–July 2022 An inflammation-induced fibrosis-on-chip system for the testing of anti-fibrosis drugs National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Role: Principal Investigator $920,000
May 2015–May 2020 Fibrotic microtissue chips for screening of anti-fibrotic therapies National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Role: Principal Investigator $1,400,000
May 2015–December 2016 Stereolithography 3D printing of human organ on a chip UB Innovative Micro-Programs Accelerating Collaboration in Themes (IMPACT) Fund Role: Principal Investigator $30,000
July 2014–December 2015 Human fibrotic microtissue chips for screening of anti-fibrotic therapies University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center Role: Principal Investigator $30,000
330B Bonner Hall Department of Biomedical Engineering University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York 14260 Phone: (716) 645-1034 Fax: (716) 645-2207 rgzhao@buffalo.edu