Principal Investigator, 2026–2028
Project: ERI: Micro-CT Morphometry and AFM Identification of Mechanics of the Fallopian Tube to Enable Biomimetic Embryo Culture
Total anticipated award: $200,000
Role: Principal Investigator
This project combines micro-computed tomography, atomic force microscopy, and biomechanical analysis to characterize the morphology and mechanical properties of the fallopian tube. The long-term objective is to support the development of more physiologically relevant environments for embryo culture.
Principal Investigator, 2025–2027
Project: Image Processing of the Fallopian Tube
Award amount: $6,000
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Okada, Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University
This interdisciplinary project supports the development of image-processing methods for quantitative analysis of fallopian-tube morphology. The award funded a graduate student researcher during summer 2025.
Co-Principal Investigator, 2022–2026
Project: Study of Dynamical Mechanical Properties of the Pericellular Layer
Total award: $648,721
SFSU portion: $82,399
This collaborative project investigates the time-dependent mechanical behavior of the pericellular layer and its role in cellular and tissue biomechanics.
Principal Investigator, 2023
Program: 2022 Industry Partnership Initiative Grant Program
Project: Toward the Development of a High-Resolution Biomedical Device
Total project support: $30,000
CSUBIOTECH award: $15,000
Industry match: $15,000 from Bruker Corporation
Role: Sole Principal Investigator
This project focused on developing a high-resolution biomedical device through a university–industry partnership with Bruker Corporation.
Co-Principal Investigator, 2022
Project: Developing New Biopolymers for the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Personal Care Industries
Total project support: $30,000
Institutional award: $15,000
Industry match: $15,000 from ExoPolymer, Inc.
This translational research project explored the development and characterization of novel biopolymers for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and personal-care industries.
Principal Investigator, 2019–2020
Project: Measuring the Biomechanical Properties of the Genital Tract at the Cellular Scale to Improve Preimplantation Embryo Development
Award amount: $15,000
Collaborating institution: University of California, San Francisco
Role: Sole Principal Investigator
This project established an interdisciplinary collaboration between San Francisco State University and UCSF focused on reproductive biomechanics and preimplantation embryo development.
Research Collaborator, 2018
Project: Increasing Embryo Development by Improving Substrate Stiffness
Award amount: $50,000
Principal Investigator: Dr. Paolo Rinaudo, University of California, San Francisco
Role: Unfunded Collaborator
Funding organization: American Society for Reproductive Medicine
The collaboration has supported joint publications, visits and presentations by SFSU students at UCSF, and continued scientific mentorship and collaboration on subsequent funded proposals.
Principal Investigator, 2017
Project: Feasibility of Integrating Time-Dependent Biomechanical Models for the Analysis of Soft Biomaterials Using JPK Atomic Force Microscopes
Award amount: $10,000
Role: Principal Investigator
This industry-supported project investigated the integration of time-dependent biomechanical models with atomic force microscopy methods for analyzing soft biological materials.
Principal Investigator, 2017
Award amount: $4,000
Institution: San Francisco State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Chen, Department of Biology
This project supported interdisciplinary research integrating engineering, biology, and computational methods.
Principal Investigator, 2016–2019
Project: Acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope to Enhance Research and Student Research Training in Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, and Physics at San Francisco State University
Award amount: $472,818
Role: Main Principal Investigator
Team: Four Co-Principal Investigators
This award supported the acquisition of an advanced atomic force microscopy system for interdisciplinary research and student training in engineering, biochemistry, biology, and physics at San Francisco State University.
The AFMs were installed in August 2017. See AFM facility page here