Sarah Jones, The University of Texas at Austin

Sarah Jones' research training has been focused on biomaterial-guided tissue regeneration. As an Undergraduate Research Scholar at Texas A&M University, she developed a novel siloxane-based polymer for use in a macroporous scaffold for bone regeneration. This purely synthetic scaffold supported osteoinduction and calcification through the incorporation of a phosphonate side group. During a Regenerative Next Initiative Summer Fellowship at Duke University, she manipulated cardiomyocytes via topographical scaffold cues to induce proliferation and cardiac regeneration.

Currently, in the Cosgriff-Hernandez lab, her dissertation work is centered on developing an off-the-shelf bone wrap that facilitates the formation of a pseudo-periosteum for bone regeneration. This project combines the use of a synthetic polymer for durability and sustained antibiotic release with decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) for angiogenic and immunomodulatory cues.

In addition to her research, Sarah serves as the president of a student organization that connects undergraduates to research opportunities in biomedical engineering. She is also a BioRender ambassador, working to elevate scientific communication in her community. Now in the final year of her dissertation project, she is excited to present her work on a composite electrospun wrap that optimizes the foreign body response for bone healing and treats infection at this national event.