Marguerite Pacheco
5th Year PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering
Cornell Dean’s Scholar & Sloan UCEM Affiliate
NSF GRFP Fellow
Email: map476@cornell.edu
Education
B.A. in Biochemistry; Engineering, Smith College, 2019
Research
Tendinopathies are debilitating injuries and we have a very poor mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis and healing of this injury. I research the underlying mechanism of healing with the intent to optimize this function for therapeutic applications.
Personal Biography
Marguerite is from Montclair, NJ and enjoys playing soccer, dancing, and reading in her free time. She is actively involved in the Latinx Graduate Student Coalition, QGrads, and BMES outreach activities such as Girl Scout Engineering Day (GSED) and the Graduate Student School Outreach Program (GRASSHOPR).
Lainie Eisner
4th Year PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Pre-doctoral Fellow (2021-2023), HSS-Cornell T32 Combined Engineering and Orthopaedics Training Program
Email: lee45@cornell.edu
Education
B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2020
Research
My project focuses on post-injury exercise as a stimulus that can lead to tendon repair. I am working on determining (1) why exercise can either lead to tendon repair or further degeneration depending on the timing of administration post-injury, and (2) the mechanism by which exercise facilitates repair of extracellular matrix damage within the tendon.
Personal Biography
Lainie (she/her) is originally from Livingston, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City. She is the current President of Cornell’s Graduate BMES chapter, having previously served as Community Engagement Co-Chair. She is also a Pre-doctoral Fellow in the Cornell-Hospital for Special Surgery Combined Engineering and Orthopaedics Training Program, an NIH T32-funded training program for trainees in the orthopaedic research field. When not in lab, Lainie enjoys theatre, sports, yoga, cooking and playing guitar.
Ben Johnston
3rd Year PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Pre-doctoral Fellow, HSS-Cornell T32 Combined Engineering and Orthopaedics Training Program
Email: bbj9@cornell.edu
Education
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with minor in Computer Science, Washington University in St. Louis, 2021
Research
The early stages of chronic tendon injury are not well understood. I aim to further outline
the pathway and mechanisms by which fatigue loading and overuse leads to disease initiation and progression.
Personal Biography
Diane Stonestreet
2nd Year PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering
Pre-doctoral Fellow, HSS-Cornell T32 Combined Engineering and Orthopaedics Training Program
Email: ds978@cornell.edu
Education
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 2022
Research
I am interested in researching how the inflammatory response may help or hinder the healing process in tendon fatigue injuries.
Personal Biography
Diane is originally from Frederick County, Maryland. In undergrad, she was highly involved as a teaching fellow, McNair Scholar, civic engagement coach, and more, and she is interested in continuing to make a social impact at Cornell. Diane is a self-proclaimed insect enthusiast, and some of her hobbies include playing video games, colorguard, and going to rock and metal concerts with her family.
Ellen Brooks
1st Year PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Presidential Life Sciences Fellow
NSF GRFP Fellow
Email: egb77@cornell.edu
Education
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Montana State University, 2021
Research
I am interested in how altered microbiome states impact the health and healing of tendons.
Personal Biography
Ellen is originally from Missoula, Montana. As an undergrad, she was involved in a number of athletics and academic groups. Following undergrad studies, Ellen moved to Washington state where she worked for several years as a chemist at a veterinary pharmaceutical company. Outside of the lab, Ellen loves to bike, ski, run, and paint.
Josette Vigil
1st Year PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering
Cornell Dean’s Scholar
Email: jv458@cornell.edu
Education
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University, 2023
Research
I am interested in studying the onset and progression of fatigue tendon injury.
Personal Biography
Josette is originally from Merced, California. In undergraduate, she was involved in tribal outreach and education, along with various community groups. In her free time, Josette enjoys spending time outdoors, running, trying new recipes, and reading.