Celebrations

 — 2025 —

We celebrated May 2026 graduations with a feast at Iron Age. We had many graduates to celebrate:

  • Kwesi Halm graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Kwesi completed an undergraduate mini-thesis titled, “hMSC Cytoskeletal Structure and Forces on Extracellular Matrix-Mimetic Surfaces” and presented his work at the UMBC Summer Undergraduate Research Fest in 2024.
  • Abel Melese also earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Abel completed an undergraduate mini-thesis titled, “Enhancing Stiffness Measurements in Traction Force Microscopy” and is headed to the University of Michigan to complete a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering as a part of the Bridge to Doctorate Program.
  • Adah Harding graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Adah completed an undergraduate mini-thesis titled, “Protocol: Black Dots as High-Yield, Translatable Methodology to Measure Single-Platelet Forces.” Adah also received the UMBC Undergraduate Research Award in 2024 and presented her work at the 2025 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.
  • Fathima Hasna Abdul Gaffoor double majored, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a certificate in the Social Dimensions of Health. Hasna will continue in the lab as a research assistant after graduation.

Congratulations on your graduations Kwesi, Abel, Adah, and Hasna!

 

Congratulations, Tehilla! Tehilla Storch graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in December 2025. We played laser tag at Main Event to celebrate! Tehilla’s project examined how platelets’ proximity to other platelets affects their contraction. Since graduation, Tehilla has transitioned to a role at Longevity Biotech, Inc., a company that seeks to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegeneration diseases. 

 

Congratulations, Matthew! Matthew Bryman graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in May 2025. We headed to Matthew’s 1600 to celebrate! While Matthew was in the lab, he presented his work at the 2024 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting and the 2025 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day. Additionally, Matthew was honored with the UMBC Undergraduate Presentation Grant and the UMBC Undergraduate Research Award.

 

— 2024 —

The lab welcomed Ph.D. students Mya Merritt and Shayan Manuchehrfar. Mya joins us after earning her B.S. in Engineering Physics from Morgan State University. Shayan joins us after earning his M.S. in Biomechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran.