Group members
Dr. Gregg Duncan
Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Affiliate Faculty, Biophysics Program
Gregg earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Michael Bevan at Johns Hopkins University. His Ph.D. research focused on developing novel microparticle-based measurements and complementary models of multivalent biomolecular interactions. During his postdoctoral training, he developed nanoparticle-based diagnostic and viral gene therapy approaches for cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Center for Nanomedicine directed by Justin Hanes. Dr. Duncan was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland in 2017. Dr. Duncan is the recipient of several honors and awards including the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award at the Scientific Interface, ORAU Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Enhancement Award, BMES-CMBE Rising Star Award, and the NSF CAREER award.
Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Affiliate Faculty, Biophysics Program
Gregg earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Michael Bevan at Johns Hopkins University. His Ph.D. research focused on developing novel microparticle-based measurements and complementary models of multivalent biomolecular interactions. During his postdoctoral training, he developed nanoparticle-based diagnostic and viral gene therapy approaches for cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Center for Nanomedicine directed by Justin Hanes. Dr. Duncan was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland in 2017. Dr. Duncan is the recipient of several honors and awards including the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award at the Scientific Interface, ORAU Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Enhancement Award, BMES-CMBE Rising Star Award, and the NSF CAREER award.
Dr. Katherine Joyner
Postdoctoral Associate, UMD President's and CFF Fellow
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Katherine earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland Baltimore in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Yu. She has a background and research interests in biochemistry, biomaterials, and nanomedicine. Her PhD research focused on understanding non-covalent interactions and assembly in peptide-based hydrogels. Her current research focuses on mucin structure and mucus hydrogel assembly. Her work is supported by the UMD President's postdoctoral fellowship and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) postdoctoral fellowship.
Postdoctoral Associate, UMD President's and CFF Fellow
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Katherine earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland Baltimore in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Yu. She has a background and research interests in biochemistry, biomaterials, and nanomedicine. Her PhD research focused on understanding non-covalent interactions and assembly in peptide-based hydrogels. Her current research focuses on mucin structure and mucus hydrogel assembly. Her work is supported by the UMD President's postdoctoral fellowship and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) postdoctoral fellowship.
Devorah Cahn
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Devorah earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her undergraduate research focused on formulating nanoparticles for hemostatic and drug delivery applications. Her current research focuses on nanoparticle-based inhaled drug delivery and diagnostics for airway diseases.
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Devorah earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her undergraduate research focused on formulating nanoparticles for hemostatic and drug delivery applications. Her current research focuses on nanoparticle-based inhaled drug delivery and diagnostics for airway diseases.
Yahya Cheema
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Yahya earned his B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland. His undergraduate research focused on nanoparticle based photodynamic therapy as well as the 3D bioprinting of hydrogels. His current research focuses on adeno-associated viral gene therapy.
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Yahya earned his B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland. His undergraduate research focused on nanoparticle based photodynamic therapy as well as the 3D bioprinting of hydrogels. His current research focuses on adeno-associated viral gene therapy.
Logan Kaler
PhD student
Biophysics Program
Logan earned her B.S. in Biology from Bay Path University. Her undergraduate research focused on understanding biochemical and structural features of protein acetyltransferases and the structural design of novel protein acetyltransferases. Her current research focuses on the mechanisms by which influenza virus penetrates through airway mucus.
PhD student
Biophysics Program
Logan earned her B.S. in Biology from Bay Path University. Her undergraduate research focused on understanding biochemical and structural features of protein acetyltransferases and the structural design of novel protein acetyltransferases. Her current research focuses on the mechanisms by which influenza virus penetrates through airway mucus.
Daniel Song
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Daniel earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Penn State University. His undergraduate research focused on the development of a low-cost field-deployable nucleic acid testing based diagnostics system for infectious disease. His current research focuses on engineering advanced lung tissue culture models to investigate airway mucus clearance.
PhD student
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Daniel earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Penn State University. His undergraduate research focused on the development of a low-cost field-deployable nucleic acid testing based diagnostics system for infectious disease. His current research focuses on engineering advanced lung tissue culture models to investigate airway mucus clearance.
Sydney Yang
PhD Student, UMD Clark and NSF Fellow
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Sydney earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from Lehigh University. Her undergraduate research focused on developing glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogels for promoting tissue regeneration. Her current research focuses on developing mucin-based hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Her work is supported by the UMD Clark Doctoral Fellowship and National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship.
PhD Student, UMD Clark and NSF Fellow
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Sydney earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from Lehigh University. Her undergraduate research focused on developing glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogels for promoting tissue regeneration. Her current research focuses on developing mucin-based hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Her work is supported by the UMD Clark Doctoral Fellowship and National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship.
Shahed Bader
Bioengineering undergraduate student, ASPIRE Scholar
Shahed's project is focused on developing mucolytic therapies for pediatric ear infection.
Bioengineering undergraduate student, ASPIRE Scholar
Shahed's project is focused on developing mucolytic therapies for pediatric ear infection.
Keyona Curry
Bioengineering undergraduate student, LSAMP Scholar
Keyona's project is focused on developing synthetic models to understand bacteria-mucus interactions.
Bioengineering undergraduate student, LSAMP Scholar
Keyona's project is focused on developing synthetic models to understand bacteria-mucus interactions.
Benjamin Lee
Bioengineering undergraduate student, ASPIRE Scholar & Honors Program
Ben's project is focused on utilizing nanoparticle shape as a means to enhance mucosal drug & gene delivery.
Bioengineering undergraduate student, ASPIRE Scholar & Honors Program
Ben's project is focused on utilizing nanoparticle shape as a means to enhance mucosal drug & gene delivery.
Sagar Matharu
Bioengineering undergraduate student, Honors Program
Sagar's project is focused on developing synthetic mucus hydrogels to study asthma and related obstructive lung diseases.
Bioengineering undergraduate student, Honors Program
Sagar's project is focused on developing synthetic mucus hydrogels to study asthma and related obstructive lung diseases.
Group photo - COVID edition (March 2020)
Interested in joining our group? See available positions for details.
To see what our past members are up to, go to our lab alumni page.
To see what our past members are up to, go to our lab alumni page.