Team

We are highly driven, and welcome team members that share our vision of improving healthcare through curiosity, persistence, and innovative thinking.

We Are Growing Tissues. Organs. And Team!

Principal Investigator

Dr. Muhammad Rizwan

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering (Primary) and Department of Ophthalmology (Secondary), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, USA, 2022-2024

University of Toronto, Shoichet Lab, Postdoc, 2019 - 2021
University of Waterloo, Canada, Yim Lab, Postdoc, 2017 - 2019
National University of Singapore, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, 2017
Hanyang University, South Korea, M.S. Bio-nano Engineering, 2012

LAB STAFF

Dr. Ayesha Aijaz, Research Scientist

Dr. Ayesha Aijaz earned her PhD from Rutgers University, New Jersey as a Fulbright Scholar. She completed postdoctoral training in clinical translation of tissue-engineered therapies at Sunnybrook Research Institute and the University of Toronto supported by a National Research Council, Canda postdoctoral training award . Her passion for scalable, bioprocess development was shaped through industry experience at Bristol Myers Squibb. She brings extensive expertise in biomedical engineering, integrating cellular metabolism, biomaterials development, and cell manufacturing. She has formal certifications in cGMP manufacturing with advanced technical experience in bioreactor operations, upstream process development and technology transfer to cGMP.

Outside of work Ayesha enjoys cooking and camping with family and friends.

Dr. Jagrity Chaudhary, Research Scientist

Dr. Jagrity Chaudhary earned her Ph.D. in Computational Materials Chemistry from BITS Pilani, India, and completed postdoctoral training at Purdue University. She previously served as a Research Scientist at the University of Mississippi. Her research centers on computationally driven predictive and inverse materials design, with a focus on polymer architecture and polymer–nanomaterial hybrids. Through first-principles and multiscale computational modeling, she develops structure–property relationships to guide materials design.
At UT Southwestern, working with Dr. Rizwan, she is extending this framework toward 3D bioprinting, multiphysics modeling, and advanced biomaterial systems.
Outside the lab, she enjoys painting and creative exploration beyond science.

Dr. SooYeon Kang, Senior Research Associate

Dr. SooYeon Kanearned her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas. She is an experienced Research Lab Manager with a strong background in scientific operations, laboratory oversight, and research program support. With expertise spanning project coordination, compliance management, and team leadership, she plays a central role in ensuring that the lab functions efficiently and safely while advancing high‑quality research.

Prakruti Vora, Research Assistant II

Prakruti holds a Master’s degree in Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon University and is passionate about developing translation solutions that bridge biomaterial design and fabrication challenges in regenerative medicine. Her current work focuses on multi-fabrication approaches to achieve precise control over the architecture, mechanics, and functionality of micro-engineered fiber systems for applications ranging from liver to neural tissue engineering, leveraging both experimental and computational methods.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS

Dr. Sunil Shrestha

Dr. Sunil Shrestha obtained his Ph.D. from the University of North Texas. His research interest include stem cell culture, tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, and high throughput drug screening.

In the free time, Sunil enjoys listening music and traveling.

Dr. Divya Subramanian

Dr. Divya Subramanian earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas where she received a predoctoral fellowship from the International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFEto support her work on developing an in vitro corneal stromal model. Her research interests include microfluidics, developing novel in vitro models and biomaterials to understand cell-biomaterial interactions. She works on generating and differentiating liver organoids from patient samples and vascularization of the organoids.

Dr. Nabanita Mukherjee

Dr. Nabanita Mukherjee completed her Ph.D. at IIT Jodhpur, India, where her work focused on designing smart peptide-based biomaterials for wound healing and brain injury repair. With a strong background in organic chemistry and peptide synthesis, Nabanita has developed antibacterial, angiogenic, and neuroprotective hydrogels using supramolecular strategies. Her current interests lie in creating immunomodulatory materials for neural repair.

Outside the lab, she enjoys reading novels and listening to soft rock music.

Dr. Muhammad Waqas Ishaq

Dr. Muhammad Waqas Ishaq completed his Ph.D. as a CAS–TWAS Fellow at the University of Science and Technology of China. He later pursued postdoctoral training in the Callmann Group at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to that, he earned his master’s degree from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. His research centers on the design and synthesis of advanced polymer architectures, topological polymers, structure–property relationships, and their applications in therapeutics, tissue engineering, and targeted drug delivery. His current work explores 3D-printable vascular systems, photocrosslinked hydrogels, and tunable polymer networks for next-generation tissue engineering solutions.

Outside the lab, he enjoys playing cricket and badminton, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Saad Asim

Saad earned his B.S in Materials Engineering from the National University of Science and Technology (Pakistan). His research addresses corneal endothelial dysfunction—a leading indication for corneal transplantation—where treatment options are limited due to a global shortage of donor tissue. Saad’s work focuses on advancing regenerative engineering approaches by enhancing the in‑vitro expansion of functional human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) and developing biomaterial carriers that support the integration of transplanted hCEC sheets. His goal is to help restore vision through more accessible and effective cell‑based therapies.

Wesley Hargrove

Wesley is a PhD student in Rizwan Lab. He earned Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida.

Asma Talib Qureshi

Asma obtained MS in Biotechnology from National University of Science and Technology (Pakistan). Her research interests center on developing immunomodulatory biomaterials, designing bioprinted constructs, and engineering the neuronal progenitor cells to improve the cell transplantation therapy for optic nerve regeneration.

Outside the lab, she enjoy cooking, doing calligraphy and playing table tennis.

Cody Tuftee

Cody Tuftee graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. He joined the lab as a PhD student in 2023 and has been working to develop tissue-adhesive biomaterials for cornea wound healing. His research centers on designing microgel-based biomaterials, drug delivery, and 3D printing.

Outside the lab, he enjoys playing volleyball and pickleball, but never shies away from a good board game when it rains.

Omanin Prova

Omanin graduated from Military Institute of Science & Technology, Bangladesh with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. She joined the lab as a Ph.D. student in 2024 and her project focuses on developing injectable biomaterial for neural tissue regeneration following ischemic stroke, with an emphasis on immunomodulation and biomaterial-guided repair.