
Research in Engineered Tissue Model Systems
Research in Engineered Tissue Model System focuses on cell and engineered tissue mechanics with application in cardiovascular regenerative medicine. The goal is to integrate the various areas of differential mechano-regulation of stem cells towards the cardiovascular phenotype as well as the synthesis of viable engineered cardiovascular tissues, particularly, heart valves. This goal fragments into multiple areas of study:
- Tissue engineered heart valve replacement for critical congenital mitral and aortic valve disease,
- Leaflet repair using engineered heart valve tissues and
- Bioreactor development to create engineered cardiovascular tissue model systems to facilitate therapeutic discovery.

Joshua Hutcheson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Acting Graduate Program Director

Research Advancements: Joshua Hutcheson studies cardiovascular disease mechanisms.
Research Area: Engineered Tissue Model Systems
Lab: Cardiovascular Matrix Remodeling Laboratory
Phone: (305) 348-0157 Email: jhutches@fiu.edu
Website: https://bme.fiu.edu/people/faculty-instructors/joshua-hutcheson/

Anthony McGoron, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Research Advancements: Anthony Mcgoron develops targeted image-guided drug-delivery for combatting cancer
Research Area: Diagnostic Bioimaging Sensor Systems
Lab: Drug Delivery and Imaging Guided Therapy Laboratory
Phone: (305) 348-1352 Email: anthony.mcgoron@fiu.edu
Website: https://bme.fiu.edu/people/faculty-instructors/anthony-mcgoron/

Sharan Ramaswamy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor | Certified Hybrid Instructor

Research Advancements: Biomechanically-derived diagnostics and regenerative therapies for cardiovascular medicine.
Research Area: Engineered Tissue Model Systems
Lab: CV-PEUTICS - Cardiovascular Therapeutics Laboratory
Acknowledgement: Affiliated Faculty Member, NSF CELL-MET ERC Project (EEC-1647837)
Phone: (305) 348-2532 Email: sramaswa@fiu.edu
Website: https://bme.fiu.edu/people/faculty-instructors/sharan-ramaswamy/

Nikolaos Tsoukias, Ph.D.
Professor

Research Advancements: Nikolaos Tsoukias studies neuromuscular coupling.
Research Area: Engineered Tissue Model Systems
Lab: Vascular Physiology and Biotransport
Phone: (305) 348-7291 Email: tsoukias@fiu.edu
Website: https://bme.fiu.edu/people/faculty-instructors/nikolaos-tsoukias