Welcome to the Chahine Lab!
We are interested in developing new therapies for cartilaginous tissues in the musculoskeletal system. Our focus is on spinal intervertebral discs, where we apply tools of bioengineering and biomechanics to understand degeneration and to develop regenerative strategies. We are also developing diagnostics biomarkers for back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Research Interests: mechanotransduction, spine development, inflammation profiling of age-related intervertebral disc degeneration.
Mark received his PhD degree in Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada) under the mentorship of Dr. Cheryle Séguin. Mark was also part of the Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research at the Bone and Joint Institute. There, Mark adopted tools from different disciplines (bioreactor system, developmental biology, genetic modeling) to understand the mechano-reception, mechano-transmission, and mechano-response of intervertebral disc cells. In his free time, he enjoys watching Netflix and exploring the city for the first time!
Research Interests: cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, and biomechanics
Gigi received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from University of California, Davis in 2022. While there, she conducted research In Dr. Kent Leach's Lab that focused on the development of tissue engineering solutions for osteochondral defects, specifically using polymer-based biomaterials. After being exposed to the crossover of orthopedics and biomedical engineering, she decided to attend Columbia and join Nadeen Chahine's lab. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, going for walks in Central Park, finding new fun places to eat, and exploring New York with friends.
Research Interests: tissue engineering, biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and artificial organs
Elyse graduated from the University of Michigan with her B.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering and her M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in biomaterials and regenerative medicine. During her time at Michigan, Elyse studied the ovarian cancer microenvironment via tissue engineered spheroids and before returning to graduate school, she worked under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Potkay in the Extracorporeal Life Support Lab developing microfluidic artificial lungs for respiratory support. In her free time, Elyse loves traveling, hiking, exploring new places, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending time with family and friends.
Research Interests: Macrophage polarization, immune system/IVD crosstalk
Lauren received her B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Binghamton University in 2019, where her research in Dr. Sha Jin's lab focused on the differentiation of iPSCs into functional pancreatic islets. After additional research exposure in Dr. David Shreiber's lab at the Rutgers University REU in Cellular Bioengineering during the summer of 2018, she decided to attend Columbia for her Ph.D. Lauren is now an associate member of the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) and the ORS Spine section. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, singing, gymnastics, and trips to the beach.
Research Interests: tissue engineering, biomechanics, and biomaterials
Maho Koga is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering co-advised by Dr. Nadeen Chahine (Chahine Lab) and Dr. Helen Lu (Biomaterials and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory). Maho is interested in pursuing research in the field of orthopedics, specially looking at tissue-engineered therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration in the spine. She obtained her B.S. in Biological Engineering and M.Eng in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University, where she previously conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Eve Donnelly for undergraduate research and Dr. Lawrence Bonassar for her Master’s. She worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 2 years after graduation and is excited to begin her PhD at Columbia University.
Research Interests: biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering
Leo graduated cum laude from Columbia University with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining this lab, Leo worked within Dr. Christoph Juchem's lab engaged in optimizing the application of magnetic resonance techniques to the noninvasive study of human neurometabolic information in the context of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Gaining an interest in the application of soft tissue biomechanics, tissue engineering, and biomaterials through his undergraduate studies, Leo joined the Chahine Lab with the primary focus of investigating the biochemical and biomechanical changes of the intervertebral disc with age. In his free time, Leo loves playing soccer, hiking, and going to the movie theaters.
Research Interests: immunoengineering, biomaterials, and IVD biology
Maddie received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2022. While there, she conducted research in Dr. Julia Babensee's lab, which focuses on creating immunomodulating biomaterials to attenuate autoimmune responses. After undergrad, she worked as a research specialist for two years at Emory University under Dr. Svenja Illien-Jünger, specifically on a project investigating the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the IVD. Combining her past research fields, she joined the Chahine Lab with the primary focus of researching the immunomodulation of the IDD microenvironment. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching horror movies, dancing, and taking advantage of all New York offers!
Research Interests: meniscus and translational therapeutic strategies
Beth received her B.A. in biology from Carleton College (2014), her MD degree from Drexel University (2022) and her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania (2020). Beth is an associate member of the Orthopedic Research Society (ORS). Beths’s research focuses on the study of … Outside of the lab, Beth can be found competing in triathlons. She is also moderately obsessed with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels!
Hagar Kenawy, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Penn M
Nicholas Toosi, M.S. - PhD Student at University of Pittsburgh
Dan Viola, MD, Ph.D. - Clinical Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering
Xochitl Morales - Junior Biomedical Engineering student at Coumbia Univeristy
Nadia Kiridly - Junior Biomedical Engineering student at Binghamton University
Jesse Cotton, B.S.- Medical student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
Erik Emsbo, B.S.- Product Engineer I - Ultima Genomics
Aala Nasir, B.S.- Software R&D Test Engineer I - Medtronic
Kevin G. Burt, PhD- Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Timothy Jacobsen, PhD- Postdoctoral Fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Samantha L. Marshall, PhD- AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at U.S. Department of State
Laurent Michel Guenin, BS- UNiD Lab Engineer, Medicrea, New York
Archana Murali, Undergraduate Student (B.S. program) in Biomedical Engineering, New York
Hayley Jacobsen, BS- Dual Degree program at Columbia Nursing, New York
Yarsolov (Jacob) Gelfand, MD-Former Neurosurgery Resident Fellow
Quynhhoa T. Nguyen, PhD-Former Post-Doctoral Scientist
Kevin Anton, BS- Biomedical Engineering Master’s program
Bhranti Shah, PhD- Medical Writer, BGB Group, New York.
Aysha Khan, MD- Internal Medicine Resident, Mt Sinai Hospital, Chicago.
Farzana Chowdhury, BS- Process Development Engineer, Boston Scientific, Boston.
Paula Hernandez, PhD- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, UT Southwestern, Dallas.
KT Weber, MD- General Surgery Resident, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY.
Robert Maidhof, PhD- Principal Scientist, Research and Development, Avon, NY.
D. Olivier Alipui, MD- Burn Surgery Fellow, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Neena Rajan, BS- Senior systems engineer, Siemens Healthcare, NY.