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After completing her bachelors degree in Engineering from Smith College, Brianne pursued a Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. There, she worked with Dr. Louis Soslowsky in the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory studying the multiscale biomechanics and structure of tendon. Brianne then moved to Boston to work with Dr. Alan Grodzinsky at MIT for her postdoctoral work, where she focused on developing new in vitro explant models for studying tendon mechanobiology. Outside the lab, she is an avid volleyball player and loves to travel. She also enjoys cooking, crafting, and graphic design.
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Sam received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics at the University of Rochester. There, he worked with Dr. Mark Buckley using elastography to study the mechanical strain response of the mouse Achilles tendon insertion to transverse compression as a result of passive dorsiflexion. In his free time, Sam enjoys hiking, ultimate frisbee and video games.
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Hana is a Ph.D. student from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Cell and Tissue Engineering and a minor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester. There, she worked with Dr. Whasil Lee on the research of the role of mechanically-activated ion channels in chondrocyte mechanotransduction. Hana also spent a summer working with Dr. David Foster and Dr. Ahmed Ghazi at the University of Rochester Medical Center where she worked on comparing computational simulations and hydrogel kidney phantoms for in vivo assessment of intrarenal pressure dynamics during ureteroscopy. On top of her interests in biomechanics and mechanobiology, Hana is actively involved in her local community. As an United World College alumna, she seeks to promote social change through active engagement. Outside of lab, Hana enjoys running, rowing, playing basketball, reading and playing flute.
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Matt graduated from the University of Virginia (go Hoos!) in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. There, he worked with Dr. Kyoko Yoshida, Dr. Pim Oomen, and Dr. Jeffrey Holmes in the Cardiac Biomechanics Lab to develop a mutli-scale computational model coupling hormone network signaling and mechanics to predict cardiac hypertrophy and function. Matt also worked as a product engineer intern at Springbok Analytics during his last year at UVA. His roles at the company included performing muscle segmentation of magnetic resonance images as well as automating in-depth analysis processes of muscle development and asymmetry for clients. When not in lab, Matt enjoys soccer, rock climbing, water sports, hiking, mixology, trying new foods, and venturing to new places.
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Caitlin graduated from Bucknell University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. At Bucknell, she worked with Dr. Eric Kennedy on the evaluation of alternative methodologies for assessing playground surfacing impact attenuation performance and Dean Patrick Mather on the development of electrospun composites with novel shape memory mechanisms. Caitlin also spent a summer working at Rutgers University with Dr. Jeffrey Zahn on the development of recording microelectrodes for characterizing neural potentials as a part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates in Cellular Bioengineering. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, soccer, visiting museums, and learning new recipes.
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Arielle graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. At Rowan, she worked with Dr. Sebastian Vega on the design and synthesis of hydrogels for peptide delivery in bone regeneration. She has also worked in the regulatory affairs industry, preparing regulatory submissions for pharmaceutical, biologic, and vaccine products for various biotech companies. Outside of the lab, Arielle enjoys painting, reading, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, and trying new restaurants.
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Sammy graduated from The Ohio State University in 2025 with his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. During this time, he worked with Dr. Jeff Karp and Dr. Yuhan Lee in the Innovative Biomaterials Lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School. His work focused on developing novel biomaterial platforms for enhancing oral delivery of biologics. Sammy also worked as an analytical development assistant at Forge Biologics in Columbus, OH, where he characterized and assessed purity, potency, and composition of clients' AAV gene therapies. Beyond science and engineering, Sammy spends his free time playing volleyball, biking, cooking, playing video games, and cheering on Chicago sports teams.
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Ethan graduated from Lehigh University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and a focus on biomechanics and biomaterials. While at Lehigh, he worked with Dr. Niels Holten-Andersen on designing and characterizing mineralized, 3D-printable hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties post-printing. His research interests include biomechanics, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. Outside of the lab, Ethan enjoys playing soccer, going on long walks, reading, cheering on his sports teams, and trying new restaurants.
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Sofie graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Tissue Engineering. At NC State she participated in the Abrams Scholarship Program, an undergraduate research program, and worked in Dr. Matthew Fisher’s Translational Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. Her research focused on using histology to better understand the effect of an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the meniscus in adolescents. Sofie is passionate about contributing to the women’s health field through her research. Outside of the lab, Sofie likes to go for walks, travel, and bake.
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Raghad is an international student from Kuwait who graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Mechanical concentration. While at UM, she gained exposure to musculoskeletal research through work in Dr. Francesco Travascio’s Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab, where she explored finite element analysis and implant simulation. Her academic interests include women’s health, biomechanics, and orthopedics. Outside of the lab, Raghad is a co-founder of VasoPass, a startup developing wearable technology designed to enhance comfort for menopausal women. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, knitting, and baking.
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Jonathan is a senior from Pennsylvania majoring in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-med track and in the Kilachand Honors College at BU. He joined the Connizzo lab because of his interest in understanding the mechanisms behind resolving tissue injuries and their clinical applications. Outside of the lab, Jonathan enjoys running, trying new foods, and exploring the city.
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Jamie is a senior from Connecticut studying Biomedical Engineering at BU. She joined the Connizzo Lab to pursue her interest in mechanobiology and its applications to women’s health. Outside of the lab, Jamie enjoys skiing, running, and spending time at the beach.
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Aryana is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering at BU. She joined the Connizzo lab because of her interest in modeling exercise physiology and investigating optimal tendon health conditions. Outside of the lab, Aryana enjoys reading philosophy, golfing, and playing cards with friends.
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Stephanie is a junior studying Biomedical Engineering at BU. She joined the Connizzo lab because she is interested in understanding how aging can impact the mechanisms behind tissue rehabilitation after injury. Outside the lab, she enjoys exploring the Boston area, listening to music, and picking up new hobbies.
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Kat is a rising senior at Smith College studying Engineering and joined the lab through the BU-Smith 4+1 program. She is excited to study hormonal cycles and the effect they have on tendon health/mechanical properties. Outside of lab, Kat enjoys lifting, playing softball, and reading.
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Lab Alumni
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Name
Isabelle Goode, B.S. Brandon Kao, B.S. Felicia Pinto, B.S. Madelyn Keller, B.S. Henry Chow, B.S. Takaya Niibori, B.S. Kayla Dunson, B.A. Nick Pham, B.S. Isabelle Canty, B.S. Jamie Dykstra, B.S. Jonathan Sim, B.S. Yashvi Grover, B.S. Shriya Nimbalkar, M.S. Kevin Levesque, M.S. Allison Sander, M.S. Joseph Soto, M.S. Hanhminh Nguyen, M.S. Emma Stowe, Ph.D. Anthony Aggouras, Ph.D. |
Former Position
Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Undergraduate Masters Masters Masters Masters Masters Doctoral Doctoral |
Current Position
OrthoPediatrics Specialty Bracing Lean Biologix Ph.D. Student @ U. Pennsylvania Ph.D. Student @ Georgia Tech/Emory Vertex Pharmaceuticals R&D Tokyo Ph.D. Student @ Emory Research Assistant @ Boston Children's M.Eng. Student @ UCSD Ph.D. Student @ U Washington Ph.D. Student @ U Delaware Research Technician @ MGH Ametek Engineered Medical Components HTL Biotechnology Ph.D. Student at UC Riverside Postdoc @ U Oregon AbbVie |