Our Team
Lab Director
Dr. Wong is an assistant professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering. His primary research interest is to develop cell-based therapeutic for various diseases. Dr. Wong’s research aims to engineer mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and tissue progenitor cells through mechanobiological approaches by combining biomaterials design and microfluidic platform. The goal is to investigate the optimum biophysical cue that direct the secretome profile from the engineered cells, to regulate extracellular matrix remodeling, oxidative stress or facilitate proliferation/differentiation of tissue progenitor cells. Then applying the therapeutic cells in vivo to treat fibrosis and promote tissue regeneration in musculoskeletal system
Dr. Wong earned the degree in biology and PhD in Biomedical Engineering in The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He then started his post-doctoral training in University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2021, Dr. Wong receives NIH Pathway of Independence award (K99/R00) from National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), then joins CSU in 2022 as an assistant professor.
Graduate Students
Nick joined the team in November of 2022 as a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering. He completed his B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of Kansas where he did undergraduate research focused on polyacrylamide hydrogel characterization. Currently, he is working on developing a novel alginate hydrogel responsive to oxidative stress for therapeutic use in treating fibrotic skeletal muscle tissue. Outside academics, Nick enjoys playing piano, writing/composing his own music, distance running, and playing video and board games with his friends
Ali joined the OBRL in the fall of 2023 as part of his undergraduate research practicum and is continuing to pursue his master’s degree. His research focusses on engineering mesenchymal stem cells via a mechanobiology approach to facilitate muscle regeneration by correcting oxidative stress.
Undergraduate Students
Hello! My name is Alexa Gonzalez, and I am a fifth year Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering student. I joined the lab in the fall semester of 2023, and I primarily focus on the mechanical characterization of alginate-based gels using Rheology, but I also help our grad students with anything they may need! During the past year in the lab, I’ve really enjoyed learning the biological and chemical concepts of stem cell research. In my free time I enjoy hiking around Fort Collins, road biking, climbing, and skiing Colorado’s beautiful mountains!
My name is Carissa Avalos, and I am a 3rd year undergraduate student pursuing Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. I love creating and helping others and I aim to pursue a future doing so. I enjoy learning and helping around in the lab, and I am grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had in it. In my free time, I love drawing, reading, and listening to music (heavy metal more specifically).
Evan joined the research lab in spring 2024 during his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering and biomedical engineering. He works with cells and creates hydrogels. Outside of the lab, he is an outdoorsy person who enjoys hiking and rock climbing
Program & year: fifth year biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering student.
Personal interests: learning, watching baseball, playing table tennis, and fishing
What excites me most about being in the lab: collaborating with other lab members and learning more about chemistry and biology.
Hello, my name is Thomas Leachman, and I am currently a 4th-year undergraduate student at Colorado State University, pursuing a dual-degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. Since November 2022, I have been an active member of Dr. Wong’s lab, where I focus on studying and analyzing the mechanical properties of biomaterials using the advanced Discovery HR 20 rheometer. Outside of my academic pursuits, I am a dedicated member of the Colorado State University men’s rugby team. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue contributing to the innovative research in Dr. Wong’s lab as I work toward earning a Master’s Degree in Bioengineering.
Hello, my name is Hope Smith and I am an 3rd year undergraduate student here at CSU studying both Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. I love reading, writing poetry, and playing with my cat! In the lab, I work on hydrogels fabrication, stem cells culture and characterize the mechanical properties of these gels based on different chemical compositions.
Howdy! I’m Matthew Merkulovich, a third-year Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering student at CSU. I joined the lab in the spring semester of 2024, and since then, I’ve been diving into the world of stem cell research and helping the graduate students with whatever they need. I love learning about the biological and chemical concepts that drive our experiments, and I enjoy connecting what I learn in the lab to my coursework. Outside of the lab, I’m active on campus, where I lead and participate in several clubs at CSU. When I’m not at CSU, you can find me listening to music, exploring the outdoors, climbing, playing underwater hockey, or volunteering for a dive rescue team!