VitaliPatch
Co-Founder (PI: Patrick Cottler, Ph.D. ⇗)
January 2024 – Present
Co-developing an early-stage wound care device to improve post-operative healing and infection prevention.
Led prototyping and feasibility testing; supported regulatory planning and IP evaluation.
Collaborated with engineers and clinicians on material choice, drug layering, and user-centered design.
Selected as a Finalist in the 2024 Johns Hopkins Healthcare Design Competition.
Currently part of the 2025 VentureWell cohort and the UVA VentureForward program.
Men, Women, and People of Character, Honor, and Ambition — University of Virginia
Administrative Assistant (Advisor: Joshua Epps, Ph.D. ⇗)
August 2024 – Present | Charlottesville, VA
Assist with operational planning and execution of 10+ annual MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA events, including
orientation, speaker panels, leadership workshops, and service initiatives.
Oversee program documentation and scheduling for a cohort of 40+ students, supporting mentorship pipeline
and leadership development.
Coordinate event logistics, including venue booking, supply procurement, registration, and communication, to
ensure seamless program execution
Collaborate with staff and student leaders to strengthen outreach, participation, and the overall impact of UVA's
character-based leadership programs.
Top engineering lab at UVA using AI and ML to find new treatments for heart failure
Undergraduate Researcher (PI: Jeffery Saucerman, Ph.D. ⇗)
October 2022 – Present | Charlottesville, VA
Project 3: Mechanistic Machine Learning of Cardiac Regeneration Using CycloTran
Extend CycloTran, a MATLAB-based framework combining single-cell image analysis with ODE-based
dynamical modeling, to infer cardiomyocyte cell-cycle transition rates from heterogeneous tissue samples.
Reproduce and validate model behavior by aligning image-derived classifications (DAPI/Ki67) with simulation
outputs and refining parameters for stability and biological consistency.
Verified how LRP1 perturbation modulates proliferation dynamics; co-authoring a manuscript on model-driven
insights into post-MI remodeling.
Project 2: Machine Learning–Based Quantification of Fibroblast Proliferation
Built an ML-driven image analysis pipeline integrating Ilastik, CellProfiler, and Python to classify and quantify
fibroblast proliferation across 200+ immunofluorescence images.
Addressed challenges in variable staining patterns, illumination, and morphology by designing preprocessing,
feature extraction, and validation workflows.
Verified how LRP1 perturbation modulates proliferation dynamics; co-authoring a manuscript on model-driven
insights into post-MI remodeling.
Project 1: Computational Modeling of Cardiac Hypertrophy
Optimized large-scale signaling pathway models in the Hippo pathway by systematically tuning parameters and
network topology using Netflux and Cytoscape.
Evaluated Netflux model behavior and contributed documentation improvements based on user experience.
Undergraduate Researcher (PI: Kyle Lampe, Ph.D. ⇗)
August 2022 – August 2024 | Charlottesville, Virginia
Synthesized and optimized 5 distinct peptide hydrogels, including KYFIL, under varying experimental
conditions to mimic brain tissue stiffness for targeted treatments, such as stroke.
Cultured oligodendrocyte progenitor cells under sterile conditions to evaluate cell viability within the
synthesized hydrogels.
Conducted rheological testing using an oscillatory rheometer to quantify hydrogel viscoelasticity and tune
mechanical properties to match native brain ECM.
Performed image-based morphological analyses to validate hydrogel structure, porosity, and consistency
across formulations using microscopy techniques.
NY HomeOwner
Real Estate Intern (Advisor: Reza Ardebili)
May 2024 – December 2024 | New York City, NY
Conducted in-depth property research and market analysis to help clients identify homes aligned with their
needs and financial goals.
Managed client interactions with professionalism and clarity, presenting information in high-pressure situations
and adapting to fast-changing priorities.
Gained hands-on experience in structuring real estate deals, assessing property value, and supporting
negotiations in a competitive housing market.
Built strategic thinking and communication skills by supporting clients with diverse needs in a fast-paced urban
real estate environment.
Research Intern (PI: David Merryman, Ph.D. ⇗)
June 2023 – August 2023 | Nashville,TN
Contributed to parallel studies on heart valve disease: one on serotonin’s role in mitral regurgitation, the other
on siRNA therapies targeting cadherin-11 in aortic stenosis.
Performed Western blot, qPCR, and mouse anatomical dissection to investigate molecular mechanisms of
valvular diseases, gaining practical insights into potential therapeutic targets.
Presented research findings in a symposium to faculty, professionals, and students.
