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Valerii Kulagin

Biomedical Engineer

I am a research engineer with extensive research and project experience in medical device development, including biodegradable 3D printable devices, CAD modeling, GMP manufacturing, polymer synthesis and characterization.

Skills

Equipment

RT-qPCR uCT50 SEM FTIR NMR DSC 250 Anton Paar rheometer Instron tensile tester biaxial tensile tester J750 MultiJet 3D printer Stratasys 3D printers LumenX DLP 3D printer rotary evaporator plate reader moisture analyzer contact angle goniometer flow cytometer digital microscope confocal microscope fluorescence microscope tissue sectioner tissue embedder centrifuge lyophilizer homogenizer biosafety cabinet fume hood UV lamp

Relevant Coursework

Animal Physiology molecular biology sequencing medical robotics engineering design biotransport biomechanics biomaterials FDA requirements electrical circuits thermodynamics statistics data analysis data and systems modeling quantitative physiology pricing and revenue analytics operations management quantitative analysis for business

Laboratory

Cell Culture Techniques RNA transfection working with stem and cancer cells cell imaging histology live/dead assay cell staining CCK8 assay GAG assay gel electrophoresis hydrogel 3D printing hydrogel cell encapsulation polymer synthesis differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) rheometry single nozzle 3D printing MultiJet 3D printing DLP 3D printing microcomputed tomography (uCT) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) swelling assay tensile testing compression testing rapid breakdown anodization

Software

Autodesk Fusion 360 SOLIDWORKS MATLAB VS Code Tableau JMP Pro 16 Graphpad Prism 9 Trios Materialise Mimics RheoCompass MestReNova Materialise 3-Matic R studio MySQL Workbench Ansys Workbench Fritzing Arduino IDE Cytoscape PLAS ImageJ G Suite Microsoft Office Suite

Programming

MATLAB Javascript Python C++ R SQL

Work Experience

Research Engineer I

Tissue Engineering and Mechanics (Hollister) Lab

Georgia Institute of Technology

Since September 2023

⊳ Actively engaging in experiment design and preparation, compiling and summarizing data in conjunction with assigned scientific experiments, preparing statistical analyses and maintaining related records ⊳Leading a study on polymer powder milling and SLS 3D printability for medical device applications ⊳Designing and manufactured medical devices in a cleanroom in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) for clinical translation, and performing all record keeping associated ⊳Participating in preparation of presentations, manuscripts, and intellectual property (IP) disclosures ⊳Operating various equipment used in research studies, developing expertise on the hardware and software associated with said equipment, and training co-workers on this equipment ⊳Maintaining laboratory equipment, communicating with manufacturers and vendors, overseeing visits from equipment technicians, and coordinating contracts related to equipment ⊳Ordering supplies, requesting quotes from vendors, requesting purchase orders from financial administrators, and coordinating the payment of invoices ⊳Performing various IT-related tasks, installing software, purchasing software licenses, coordinating with department IT administrators to ensure all hardware and software needs are being met ⊳Onboarding new students, faculty and staff ⊳Managing the training and maintenance for a 3D printer equipment group through the Institute’s shared user management system ⊳Working with safety and facilities administrators to process waste and clean dishware ⊳Maintaining the lab’s website and social media accounts

Research Assistant

Tissue Engineering and Mechanics (Hollister) Lab

Georgia Institute of Technology

May 2022 - Aug 2022

⊳ Obtained micro-CT images of 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) airway support device (ASD) using uCT50 scanner to access the results of in vivo biodegradability study ⊳ Analyzed uCT images for porosity and dimensions using Materialise Mimics software to get insight into device degradation profile needed to obtain investigational device exemption (IDE) from the FDA ⊳ Generated meshed 3D models for compression testing modeling using Materialise 3-Matic software as part of development of verification testing for PCL ASD device for IDE approval in compliance with 21 CFR 812 ⊳ Investigated PCL ASD device properties using FTIR to confirm presence of desired functional groups ⊳ Analyzed data from uCT models using JMP Pro 16 by conducting ANOVA and Tukey’s tests

Peer Leader

Math and Science Learning Center

University of Illinois at Chicago

Jan 2020 - May 2021

⊳ Hosted supportive in-person and online tutoring sessions for a cell biology and chemistry course ⊳ Prepared and hosted multiple exam review sessions with more than 30 attendees

Teaching Assistant

Department of Computer Science

University of Illinois at Chicago

Jan 2020 - May 2021

⊳ Hosted online lab sessions and drop-in hours to assist students in computer science course

Tutor

Shorelight Dragon, LLC

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC Global) 

Oct 2019 - Apr 2020

⊳ Provided personal and group tutoring services to students in Chemistry, Math, Biology ⊳ Created, and promoted workshops for students

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

August 2021 - May 2023

August 2018 - May 2021

(Transferred out)

Research Experience

Tissue Engineering and Mechanics (Hollister) Lab

Georgia Institute of Technology

Jan 2022 - Apr 2023

⊳ Assisted in development of novel methacrylation process for shape memory polymer which increased the reaction yield by 300% ⊳ Carried out polycondensation, acrylation and methacrylation reactions to make 3D printable UV curable shape memory polymer ⊳ Analyzed data from multiple tests using Graphpad Prism 9 and JMP Pro 16, by conducting ANOVA and fitting regression models ⊳ Evaluated polymer molecular structure using NMR and MestreNova software ⊳ 3D printed shape memory polymer using DLP printer to prepare samples for studies ⊳ Collected polymer thermal data using DSC 250 calorimeter and analyzed it using Trios software, to get insights into crystallization enthalpy and transition temperature ⊳ Obtained rheometry data using rheometer and analyzed it using RheoCompass software as part of polymer verification testing ⊳ Conducted swelling assay as part of testing to comply with industry standards for 3D printable biodegradable polymers ⊳ Conducted tensile testing of 3D printed polymer using biaxial tester to evaluate elastic moduli ⊳ Obtained micro-CT images of 3D printed polymer using uCT50 scanner and analyzed them using Materialise Mimics software to evaluate in vitro degradation profile ⊳Accessed thermal properties of sterilized shape memory polymer using DSC 250 calorimeter and Trios software in order to evaluate sterilization impact on polymer structure ⊳ Developed standard operating procedures (SOP) for synthesis reactions and 3D model generation ⊳ Trained undergraduate students to carry out reactions and use DSC and rheometry machines

Alsberg Stem Cell and Engineered Novel Therapeutics (ASCENT) Lab 

University of Illinois at Chicago

Sep 2020 - Apr 2021

⊳ Cultured stem and cancer cells adhering to GLP and standard operating procedures (SOP) ⊳ Assisted in live/dead viability assays using special kit and fluoresce microscope ⊳ Conducted histology analysis of cell aggregates using tissue sectioner, tissue embedder, centrifuge to access stem cell differentiation ⊳ Homogenized samples, prepared solutions and used RT-qPCR in order to evaluate gene knockdown ⊳ Assisted in RNA transfection by preparing and applying RNA complex mixture to induce gene knockdown ⊳ Used flow cytometry analysis to access stem cell differentiation ⊳ Assisted in GelMA synthesis, hydrogel cell encapsulation and hydrogel 3D printing under UV light using lyophilizer and singe nozzle 3D printer to create spatial cell constructs ⊳ Used confocal microscopy to confirm fluorescent gene knockdown ⊳ Analyzed GAG content using assay kit and plate reader to confirm chondrogenesis ⊳ Prepared standard solutions for protein assay ⊳ Assessed DNA content using gel electrophoresis in order to access cell growth

In Situ Nanomedicine Lab

University of Illinois at Chicago

Jan 2019 - May 2019

⊳ Reviewed literature on water purification techniques and prepared a report as part of development of water purification device using nanomaterials ⊳ Performed electrochemical anodization and rapid breakdown anodization reactions to synthesize TiO2 nanotubes on titanium foil

Publications

Undergraduate Thesis

"Investigation of novel modification of poly(glycerol) dodecanedioate with methacrylic anhydride for biomedical applications”

To be published in May 2024

  • LinkedIn
  • GitHub
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