Bachelor of Science - BS in Biomedical Engineering, Magna Cum LaudeGainesville, FL
Biomedical Engineering Society
Member (Aug. 2017 - Apr. 2021)
Society of Women Engineers
Member (Aug. 2017 - Apr. 2021)
UF Philharmonic Orchestra
Violinist (Aug. 2017 - Dec. 2017)
Research Experience
Graduate Student Researcher - Vanderbilt University
Dr. Michael King Laboratory - Department of Biomedical Engineering - Nashville, TN
Evaluating the behavior of T cells following activation of the mechanosensitive calcium ion channel, Piezo1
Developing third-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to target prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)
Enhancing ex vivo activation of CAR T cells to improve cytotoxicity at solid tumor sites following Adoptive Cell Transfer (ACT)
Mentor and train freshman undergraduate student where I conceptualize, design, and oversee the undergraduate student's research project which aims to overcome chemotherapy resistant glioblastoma cancer cells through combined treatment regimens
Undergraduate Student Researcher - University of Florida
Dr. Carlos M. Rinaldi-Ramos Laboratory - Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering - Gainesville, FL
Characterized super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for in vivo imaging applications in the context of cancer immunotherapy
Evaluated the sensitivity and resolution of in-house synthesized SPIONs using the MOMENTUM™ Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) system
Performed in vivo experiments to monitor and track the biodistribution of immune cells following Adoptive Cell Transfer (ACT) in breast cancer and glioblastoma animal models
Research & Development Intern
Lucere Laboratories - Gainesville, FL
Optimized the synthesis of D-Luciferin, a bioluminescent compound, to ensure clean, efficient, and more affordable production
Conducted market research to validate and prioritize new product offerings
Identified and communicated internationally with D-Luciferin users to form research collaborations
Undergraduate Student Researcher - University of Florida
Dr. Todd E. Golde Laboratory - Department of Neuroscience - Gainesville, FL
Developed MATLAB program to analyze fluorescent images of 3D ex vivo brain slice cultures that exhibit aggregation of tau protein, a primary marker of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
Undergraduate Student Researcher - University of Florida
Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy Laboratory - Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering - Gainesville, FL
Collected data to update NASA’s Standard Breakup Model using Orbital Debris Modeling in collaborative research project, DebriSat, between NASA, The Aerospace Corporation, and the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center
Analyzed and characterized space debris fragments generated by hypervelocity collision on a model satellite
Publications
"Chemical and Mechanical Activation of Piezo1 Enhances TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cells" Knoblauch, S. V., Desai, S. H., Dombroski, J. A., Sarna, N. S., Hope, J. M., King, M. R. ACS Omega, May 2023. View Here
"An Anatomically Correct 3D Printed Mouse Phantom for Magnetic Particle Imaging Studies" Sarna, N. S.*, Marrero-Morales, L.*, DeGroff, R.*, Rivera-Rodriguez, A., Lui, S., Chiu-Lam, A., Good, H. J., Rinaldi-Ramos, C. M. Bioengineering & Translational Medicine, 2022. View Here
"Channeling the Force: Piezo1 Mechanotransduction in Cancer Metastasis" Dombroski, J. A.*, Hope, J. M.*, Sarna, N. S., King, M. R. Cells, vol. 10, no. 11, pp. 2815, 2021. View Here
"Tracking Adoptive T Cell Immunotherapy Using Magnetic Particle Imaging" Rivera-Rodriguez, A., Hoang-Minh, L., Chiu-Lam, A., Sarna, N. S., Marrero-Morales, L., Mitchell, D., Rinaldi-Ramos, C. M. Nanotheranostics, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 431-444, 2021. View Here
"Long Circulating Tracer Tailored for Magnetic Particle Imaging" Lui, S.*, Rivera-Rodriguez, A.*, Chiu-Lam, A.*, DeGroff, R., Savliwala, S., Sarna, N. S., Rinaldi-Ramos, C. M. Nanotheranostics, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 348-361, 2021. View Here
