In 2019, Dennis Ramos Trinidad joined the Li Lab with Maedeh Mozneb as mentor. In this role, he studied 3D porous scaffolds fabrication for the implementation of cell culture. It targeted the development of optical based oxygen, ATP and Glucose biosensors for application in 3D tissue constructs while monitoring them in real time
More about My Experience
Dennis’s passion for science and math inspired him to pursue a career in STEM. Ms. Bisset, a calculus I and II professor from High School, taught him about STEM fields that he had never heard of which inspired Ramos Trinidad to study STEM as an undergrad. His expectations for college were different than his reality. However, it helped push Ramos Trinidad to think outside the box and work with what he had as well as with others.
Summer 2019, Ramos Trinidad’s project consisted of 3D porous scaffolds fabrication for the implementation of cell culture. It targeted the development of optical based oxygen, ATP and Glucose biosensors (Nano) for application in 3D tissue constructs while monitoring them in real time. He also built modalities for real time measurement from the sensors embedded within the tissue. Ramos Trinidad helped establish a Cardiac 3D tissue, and tested two; one based on STEM CELLs differentiated into CMs and another using Rat Neonates and scaffolding material. Imaging modalities to monitor the sensors within a tissue was also investigated and tested.
He learned about ERC REU from one of his previous professor and mentors. It was ultimately his interest in regeneration of tissue engineering that led Ramos Trinidad to attend the program at FIU.
Since completing his research experience, Dennis completed his degree in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University. He then went on to work at Ensoma, a biotechnology company.
