Rowena Mittal, M.S.
Ph.D. Candidate, Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

Mellon Institute, MBIC

4400 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

rowena [at]
alum . mit . edu


education
experience & training
 
publications
presentations & teaching
 
coursework
skills & languages
 
honors
scholarships & awards
 
leadership
community & extracurricular invovlement

  education
Carnegie Mellon University                                                                                           Pittsburgh, PA
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering                                                                                               May 2010
Thesis: Quantum Dots (QDs) for Quantitative Stem Cell Tracking In Vivo
Committee: Marcel Bruchez (Advisor), Phil Campbell (Advisor), Kris Dahl, Alan Waggoner, Johnny Huard (PITT/UPMC)

Carnegie Mellon University                                                                                            Pittsburgh, PA
M.S. Biomedical Engineering                                                                                      December 2006
Thesis: A Feasibility Study on a Novel Platform for Optimizing the Properties of Biohybrid Hydrogel Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications
Committee: Newell Washburn (Advisor), Kris Dahl, and Lee Weiss

Massachusetts Institute of Technology                                                                  Cambridge, MA
S.B. Chemical Engineering                                                                                                  June 2005
Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Humanities concentrations: Women & Gender Studies, French.
Academic Advisor: Charles Cooney. Freshman Academic Advisor: Shuguang Zhang.

  research and work experience
Carnegie Mellon, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering                                                 Pittsburgh, PA
Molecular Biosensor & Imaging Center                                                             Jan. 2007 - present
Advisors: Marcel Bruchez & Phil Campbell                                                                
  • Designed and developed quantitative methods for noninvasive tracking of therapeutic stem cell fate in vivo using quantum dots.
  • Evaluated methods and benchmarked QD toolset for bioactivity, limits-of-detection, and toxicity in vitro and in vivo.
  • Correlated in vivo imaging with post mortem analysis in a small animal stem cell bone engineering model.
  • Quantified fluorescence and contrast properties, and characterized cytotoxicity of novel bismuth sulfide nanoparticles.
Carnegie Mellon, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering                                                 Pittsburgh, PA
Advisor: Newell Washburn                                                                               Aug. 2005 - Dec. 2006
  • Developed DNA aptamers via systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) for collagen type I, as ligands for targeted delivery of hemostatic agents.
  • Conducted a feasibility study on an automated inkjet printing, combinatorial method to optimize the chemical, biological, and mechanical properties of hyaluronic acid (HA)/polymer blend-based materials.
MIT, Matsudaira Lab                                                                                                       Cambridge, MA
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Engineering Research
                                        2003-2005 
Advisor: Paul Matsudaira (Graduate student supervisor: Winston Timp, currently at JHU)
  • Designed and fabricated micropatterned, polymer multilayer surfaces for controlled study of cell motility, behavior, and adhesion in 3D.
  • Executed time-lapse, confocal imaging experiments on multiple cell lines in synthesized microenvironments.
  • Studied cell motility in chemotaxis gradients and cell-cell interactions in co-culture.
The Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Biopolis                                                          Singapore
Advisors: Daniel I.C. Wang (MIT Institute Professor )                                                 Summer 2004
  • Engineered novel expression systems by mapping promoter regions of the CHO cell genome exhibiting increased recombinant protein production above commercial standards.
BioProcessors, Corp.                                                                                                          Woburn, MA
Supervisor: Andrey Zarur (Founder/CEO)                                                                     Summer 2003
  • Designed and implemented a novel, proprietary microfluidic device by combining microscale bioreactor and CD-ROM-lab-on-a-chip technology for high-throughput cell culture.
  • Assisted in executing pharmaceutical contracted research utilizing high-throughput cell culture devices.
MIT Nuclear Reactor Lab, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering                                     Cambridge, MA
Advisor: Otto O'Harling                                                                                                      Summer 2002
  • Setup and calibrated new germanium detecting systems for the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy projects (BNCT)
PepsiCo, Corporate Strategy & Development                                                           Purchase, NY
Mergers & Acquisitions
                                                                                                  Summer 2001
Supervisors: Meena R. Mansharamani, VP & Indra K. Nooyi, CEO
  • Conducted financial, company, product, and market research using corporate databases and agencies.
  • Authored memos, compiled and provided data to department executives for their projects in acquiring new markets, companies, or products; developing existing products, or creating new marketing strategies.
  • Discussed new products or marketing strategies at department meetings.
  • Observed interviews and case interviews between executives and potential candidates for open positions within the departments. Participated in discussions of the candidates' potential and performance.
New York University Medical Center                                                                           New York, NY
Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders        Summer 2000
Advisor: Dr. Francine Blei
  • Authored educational patient newsletter on disorders, treatments, and recovery.
  • Reviewed pediatric hematology/oncology cases and attended grand rounds and case meetings between the patient, patients’ family, and specialists.
  • Conducted literature research for advisor.
  • Volunteered by spending time with hospitalized pediatric patients.

  training

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Copyright © 2005-2009 Rowena Mittal, Design by Adam Particka. Updated 11.09