Undergraduate Interns

517.353.7073
smit2901 at msu.edu

TITLE

• Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering within the Engineering School
• Member of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Tufts University (degrees in Physics, Mathematics, and Biomedical Engineering)
• The Ohio State University (PhD in Biomedical Engineering, minor in Physics)
• Stanford University (Post-doc and then first independent faculty position in the Department of Radiology)

LAB FOCUS

• Blending engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, and medicine to develop new imaging and therapeutic approaches
• Developing novel nanotechnology-based strategies to harness the power of the immune system
• Creating novel diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents for diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration

HOBBIES

• Tennis, hiking, and skiing
• Spending time with my family

AWARDS

• K99/R00 Transition to Independence Award
• AACR-Breast Research Foundation Career-Development Award for Translational Breast Cancer Research (2017)
• AHA Transformational Project Award (2018)
• Lilly Fellowship (directed toward leadership and education)

shubbard at affiliate.msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Operations – Iowa State University
• Technical writing and project management
• User interface design/usability

WORK/LAB INTERESTS

• Website administrator
• Twitter content provider/administrator
• Lab standard operating procedure (SOP) support
• Other lab support activities (templates and documentation storage/organization, etc.)

HOBBIES

• Like a dog, I love to chase after balls (pickleball, tennis, racquetball, and basketball)
• Watching documentaries and sports of all kinds
• Spending time with family and grandchildren

• Bachelors: Science in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from Maharshi Dayanand University, India (2006)
• Masters: Science in Biotechnology from Kurukshetra University, India (2008)
• Ph.D: Science from Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research and CSIR-IGIB, India (2018)
• Google Scholar Profile
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in June 2022
• Interested in developing nano-immunotherapeutic and nano-immunoimaging platforms for cancer and other biomedical applications
• Interested in developing a combination of nanoparticle-mediated chemo- and immuno-therapy to improve the overall therapeutic outcome
• Past work focused on developing nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems for cancer therapeutics, and on developing non-invasive assay for prostate cancer detection

HOBBIES

• Reading and spending time with family

AWARDS

• Junior Research Fellowship from CSIR, India (2012) upon qualifying National Eligibility Test (NET) with 34^th All India Rank
• Senior Research Fellowship from CSIR, India (2014)

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Science in Chemistry from University of Delhi, India (1995); Science in Chemistry from University of Delhi, India (1998)
• Ph.D: Chemistry from C.C Singh University and IGIB, India (2007)
• Google Scholar Profile
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab on March 16, 2020
• Interested in design/fabrication and engineering of novel biodegradable polymeric nanoimmunotherapic systems for various cancer treatments
• Hopes to improve clinical outcomes of people with cancer through improved cancer therapies
• Past work focused on developing controlled release delivery systems to increase payload release rates and designing bio-conjugated nanoparticles for targeted therapy in cancer treatment

HOBBIES

• Cooking, learning astrology

AWARDS

• Young Scientist Project from Department of Science and Technology (SERC Fast Track Proposals for Young Scientists Scheme), Government of India (2007)
• “Novel polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery application” NIH R15 grant (2013)

Mukesh Kumar Meher

mehermu2 at msu.edu

• Bachelors: Bachelor of Technology (Bioinformatics), Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India (2014)
• Masters: Masters of Technology (Nanotechnology), Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India (2017)
• Ph.D: Biomedical Nanotechnology, Department of BioSciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India (2023)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in January 2024 
• Exploring various novel nanomaterials for different bioimaging modalities such as MPI, MRI, Ultrasound, and Intravital microscopy for cancer theranostics
• Development of a hybrid nanosystem for tumor-targeting drug delivery by using HIFU and MPI
• Understanding the effect of HIFU on nanomaterials for controlled drug delivery in atherosclerosis and cancer

HOBBIES

• Running, hiking, and traveling 
• Cooking and gardening

AWARDS

• MHRD Fellowship – 2015 to 2017 for Masters of Technology
• MHRD Fellowship – 2017 to 2023 for Ph.D

sarkar12 at msu.edu

• Bachelors: Chemistry (Honors), Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College West Bengal State University, Kolkata-700118, West Bengal, India
• Masters: Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), Guwahati, Assam-781039, India 
• Ph.D: Nanobiotechnology, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India
• Google Scholar Profile
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in March 2025 
• Currently designing stimuli responsive nanoparticles for delivering therapeutics to immune cells “on demand”.
• Interested in integrating nanotechnology and immunotherapy for ameliorating diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis.

HOBBIES

• Reading non-fiction and astrophysics-related books
• Playing soccer, cricket, table tennis and badminton
• Watching movies

AWARDS

• Best oral presentation award, SPSI-Macro conference, IIT Guwahati, December 2023
• Best oral presentation award, Materials Day, IACS, March 2022.
• Senior Research Fellow: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India. August 2021- July 2024.
• Junior Research Fellow: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India. July 2019-July 2021.
• Qualified National Eligibility Test (NET): All India rank 49 (June 2018), All India rank 70 (December  2017)
• Qualified Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE): All India rank 278 in Chemistry (2019)
• Qualified IIT-Joint Admission Test for Masters (IIT-JAM): All India rank 202 in chemistry (2017)
• University 2nd Rank Holder: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (2017) Silver Medalist.

shar1145 at msu.edu

• Bachelors: Zoology (Honors), University of Delhi, New Delhi, India (2010) 
• Masters: Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India (2012) 
• Ph.D: Biological Sciences, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India (2022)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in October 2022 
• Understanding the mechanistic insights of myeloid derived cells in uptake and processing of nanoparticle conjugated drugs in animal models of atherosclerosis and cancer/ cancer immunotherapy.
• Understanding the potential role of combining nanoparticle drug delivery system with CAR-T cell therapy to reduce on-target off tumor effects in solid tumors.

HOBBIES

• Reading, writing and cooking 
• Exploring nature trails and outdoor activities

AWARDS

• Qualified for the CSIR-Junior Research Fellowship – December 2013, CSIR-UGC Joint NET (National Eligibility Test), India. All India Rank-44 
• Secured Lectureship – June 2013, CSIR-UGC Joint NET, India. All India Rank-36 
• PhD-in training member, International Travel Grant Scholarship to attend the 2015 AAAAI Meeting, Houston, Texas, USA.

singh140 at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Biotechnology, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (2006-2009)
• Masters: Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India (2010-2012)
• Ph.D: Biochemistry, National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (2016-2023)
• Google Scholar Profile
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in February 2025
• Interested in integrating nanoengineering, immunology and imaging technologies to uncover disease mechanisms and advance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, enhancing treatment efficacy.
• Aiming to bridge fundamental immunology and translational medicine to develop novel therapies for addressing critical biomedical challenges, including cancer and infectious diseases.

HOBBIES

• Reading dystopian sci-fi and crime thrillers
• Watching sports
• Exploring different cuisines

AWARDS

• International Investigator Scholarship Award, Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI-2022)
• Junior Research Fellowship award (DBT-JRF), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (2014)
• CSIR-UGC eligibility for Lectureship, University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India (2013)

Arihant Kumar Singh

singh117 at msu.edu

• Bachelors: Bachelor of Pharmacy, Pioneer Pharmacy Degree College, Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat, India (2014)
• Masters: Masters of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics), MAEER’s Maharashtra Institute of Pharmacy, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, India (2017)
• Ph.D: Pharmaceutical Science, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, India (2024)
• Google Scholar Profile
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in July 2024
• Currently contributing to the delivery of complex nanoparticles for immunotherapy and immuno-imaging systems in the diabetes and cancer models. 
• Interested in designing and synthesis of various biocompatible polymers/ biomaterials for drug delivery systems. 
• Interested in improving bioavailability and controlled release of small and macro-molecules for the treatment of diabetes, psoriasis and breast cancer tumor animal models.

HOBBIES

• Running, biking, badminton and volleyball
• Reading
• Traveling

AWARDS

• Sun Pharma Science Scholar Award 2021– Issued by Sun Pharma Science Foundation, New Delhi with a $100,000 prize money, travel grant and a citation in the field of pharmaceutical science in Jan 2022.
• Young Researcher Award 2021– Issued by Society of young biomedical scientists, India at 3rd National Biomedical Research Competition (NBRCOM) 2021 in pharmaceutical science’s oral presentation category with a 3rd rank and $10,000 prize money.
• Special appreciation prize from MIP, Pune for the academic year 2016-2017.
• Award from Zonal and University level Avishkar-2016 research poster competition in Jan 2017 at SPPU University, Pune, Maharashtra.
• 1st prize in National level poster competition (Review category) titled ‘Peptidomimetics’ in PharmaVista 2016 at MIP, Pune, Maharashtra.
• Innovative Student’s Co-Creation Award for Leadership & Excellence (i-SCALE) award 2015 issued by GTU Innovation Council, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad in Feb 2015.

zhangyap at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Ph.D: Science from Nankai University, China (2019)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in September 2019
• Currently researching drug release monitoring in vitro/vivo using MPI
• Mainly interested in utilizing Medical Imaging Modalities (CT, IVIS, MPI, MSOT, MP, etc.) to monitor drug release and the distribution of nanoparticles in vivo
• Hopes to contribute to improving society for the better, especially regarding cancer treatment

HOBBIES

• Painting, designing
• Working out, traveling

AWARDS

• Ph.D Primary/Secondary Scholarship (2015)
• He Binglin Scholarship (2018), Graduate Secondary Scholarship (2018)

aminoroa at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran (2017)
• Masters: Polymer Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran (2020)
• Ph.D: Pursuing doctorate of Chemical Engineering at MSU (2022-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in Fall 2022
• Current research focuses on developing nano-immunotherapeutic and nano-immunoimaging platforms for cancer therapy
• Interested in Biomaterials, drug delivery, and gene delivery

HOBBIES

• Reading books
• Hiking, gym, and soccer
• Spending time with family and friends

karimiba at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran (2013)
• Masters: Medical Microbiology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (2016)
• Ph.D: Pursuing doctorate of Cellular and Molecular Biology at MSU (2022-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in Summer 2023
• Current research focuses on developing advanced nano-immunotherapeutic and nano-immunoimaging platforms for cancer therapy
• Specialized interests in drug discovery/deliver, cancer biology, and molecular imaging.
• Contributing to ongoing projects with a primary emphasis on advancing cancer treatment methodologies

HOBBIES

• Playing soccer, watching movies
• Reading books
• Spending quality time with family and friends

damaraj3 at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Chemistry, Botany and Zoology, Adikavi Nannaya University, India (2018 – 2021)
• Masters: Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Hyderabad, India (2021 – 2023)
• Ph.D: Pursuing doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at MSU (2024-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in Spring 2025
• Investigating cellular uptake and trafficking of nanoparticles in immune cells through computational and molecular approaches
• Engineering nanosystems for targeted drug delivery and immune modulation in cancer and cardiovascular diseases

HOBBIES

• Watching movies and TV shows
• Experimenting with cooking various cuisines
• Occasionally traveling to explore new places

yxqiu at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, China (2019)
• Masters: Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis (2021)
• Ph.D: Pursuing doctorate in ChEMS (Chemical Engineering and Materials Science) at MSU (2021-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in 2021
• Current research focuses on magnetic particle imaging (MPI) and mechanics of microfluids
• Past work has included thermo-sensitive injectable hydrogels and their self-adhesive applications

HOBBIES

• Cooking, playing video games
• Planting flowers and vegetables

thangamp at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering CSIR – Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India (2022)
• Ph.D: Pursuing doctorate in Chemical Engineering at MSU (2022-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in Fall 2022
• Current research focuses on nano-drug delivery and nano-immunoimaging
• Past work includes Zinc-Bromine redox flow battery and All-Vanadium redox flow battery systems

HOBBIES

• Reading fiction
• Sketching and gardening

Skeltonz at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Kinesiology, Michigan State University (2019)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.): Currently working on D.O. at MSU with an interest in pursuing surgery.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in 2021
• Current research focuses on the role of inflammation in perivascular adipose tissue on hypertension
• Past research in exercise physiology testing on college athletes

HOBBIES

• Video games and soccer
• Cooking

AWARDS

• Recipient of the 2019 Kinesiology Outstanding Senior Award
• Nominee for the 2019 American Kinesiology Association Undergraduate Scholar Award
• Recipient of 2017-2019 Lentz Memorial Scholarship

sosajayn at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors/Masters: Biomedical Sciences BS and Nanotechnology MS – University of Central Florida
• MD Candidate: Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) candidate at Michigan State College of Human Medicine with an interest in pediatrics
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in 2022
• Current research consists in characterizing the uptake of therapeutic carbon nanotubes for the treatment of atherosclerosis using Raman spectroscopy
• Past research in atomic layer deposition for delayed drug release of 5-aminosalicylic acid

HOBBIES

• Volleyball
• Rollerblading
• Table Tennis

Chirag Bhat

bhatchir at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Biomedical/Medical Engineering, Michigan State University (2023-2024)
• Bachelors: Biomedical/Medical Engineering and Robotics, University of Michigan (2024-present)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in December 2023
• Current research focuses on writing Python programs to assist in understanding results from magnetic particle imaging (MPI)

HOBBIES

• Working on my car
• Coding personal projects
• Reading books
• Working out at the gym

Tor Brager-Larsen III

bragerla at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Biotechnology, Francisco de Vitoria University, Spain (2024)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in January 2024
• Current research focuses on using hyperspectral microscopy to visualize specific time points of SWNT uptake by macrophages to induce efferocytosis in the context of atherosclerosis

HOBBIES

• Practicing languages (French and Russian)
• Playing music (saxophone, guitar, banjo, and ukelele)
• Exercising
• Reading books about scientific theories

Amna Habiba

amna.habbiba at mail.utoronto.ca

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Molecular Biology, University of Toronto (2023-present)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in May 2024
• Immunoimaging and Immunotherapy

HOBBIES

• Graphic/Digital design
• Reading mystery books
• Basketball
• Traveling

Kunal Kale

kalekuna at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Computer Science, Michigan State University (2021 – present)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in May 2024
• Current research focuses on writing programs to visualize and understand the effects of magnetic particle imaging (MPI)

HOBBIES

• Hockey and tennis – being physically active
• Learning new things
• Personal coding projects
• Reading

Anderson Lovett

Lovetta3 at msu.edu

EDUCATION/BACKGROUND

• Bachelors: Electrical Engineering (concentration in Biomedical Engineering) (2021 – present)

RESEARCH FOCUS/LAB INTERESTS

• Joined lab in May 2024
• Lab/Research assistant focusing on drug release monitoring

HOBBIES

• Building and engineering projects
• Playing sports and staying active (water polo, basketball, swimming, and running)