On Sept. 15, two U of A students studying engineering received poster awards for their presentations at the Advanced Membrane Technology VII Conference held in Cork, Ireland.

Kevin Roberts, a doctoral student in cell and molecular biology, received a poster award for his work with extracellular matrix scaffolds. Explained Roberts:

Materials which mimic the properties of human tissues have promise for the expeditious repair of traumatic wounds. In particular, 'scaffolds' composed of extracellular matrix — the native scaffold of our bodies — provide complex microenvironments which promote the migration and differentiation of cells necessary for wound-healing. We have developed a new process for producing extracellular matrix scaffolds in a filament geometry, allowing it to be woven into patches or other devices in the same fashion as textiles. We are currently investigating the use of these 'biofibers' for the repair of skeletal muscle.

Lauren Reed, a senior studying chemical engineering, also received a poster award for her work developing hollow fiber membranes for artificial lung applications. Explained Reed:

The idea for these hollow fibers is that air will go through the inside of the fibers and oxygen will flow through the pores in the walls of the fibers to oxygenate the blood flowing on the outside of the fiber bundles. The issue with current membranes used for artificial lungs is that the pores clog with long exposure to blood and the gas transfer decreases. My group is working to create high gas exchange, low fouling hollow fiber membranes that could function longer when exposed to blood by modifying the membranes with a peptoid attachment.

Kevin Roberts' poster on extracellular matrix scaffolds

While conducting their research, both Roberts and Reed were advised by U of A faculty members: Jeffrey Wolchok, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, advised Roberts, and Jamie Hestekin, an associate professor of chemical engineering, advised both students.

Hestekin said, "Kevin and Lauren's work has a chance to help in the treatment of a lot of people. To win an award at an international conference shows that they're doing things that people respect and as an advisor I couldn't be prouder."

Wolchok added, "Kevin's and Lauren's awards show that the research taking place at the University of Arkansas is competitive with the best work taking place all over the country and world."

"The awards are a recognition of the many ongoing cross-disciplinary engineering efforts that are focused on human health, and the ways in which students can benefit from interdepartmental collaboration," said Raj Rao, professor and department head of biomedical engineering.