Afton's Westphal SURFs at Michigan Tech

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Nicole Westphal took part in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program at Michigan Tech.

HOUGHTON, MI (08/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Biomedical engineering student Nicole Westphal is working to create hydrogels that can deliver cells directly to the site of a tendon injury or skin wound. Once at the site of the injury, these cells can shorten healing time.

"We're trying to create a way to get cells directly into a wound," says Westphal, of Afton. "The cells can speed up recovery, and this gel would allow them to get into the action." She is working with Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Rupak Rajachar.

It's all part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Michigan Technological University. The SURF program funds undergraduate student research with faculty mentors for approximately 10 weeks each summer.

For Westphal's project, the hydrogel is made of a protein called a fibrinogen and a polymer called polyethylene glycol (PEG). When combined, these two components can hold living cells. The gel could help patients get back on their feet faster, as well as prevent infections.

"The particular hydrogel that Nicole is working on will be used as a cell delivery vehicle for the repair of tendon injuries," says Rajachar. "It also has applications as an antimicrobial in skin wounds."

After graduating next spring, Westphal hopes to attend medical school. She believes that her research experience will be invaluable to her as she pursues a career as a physician.

"Doing research helps me see things from a different perspective," she explains. "It adds a completely new dimension to medicine, which is cool."

SURF is funded by Michigan Tech's Vice President for Research and the Honors Institute. Since SURF's inception in 2002, students have completed research projects that have led to at least 44 peer-reviewed publications and several presentations at national and international conferences. The stipend is currently $3,300.

Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.