Dr. Jessica Snyder
While we are well aware that the brain communicates to the gut to regulate digestion and homeostasis, the enteric nervous system (ENS) also sends signals back to the central nervous system (CNS), which impacts the brain. Jessica’s work focuses on designing biomaterials to support the gut-ENS niche and studying serotonin signaling from the epithelium to the ENS and CNS. Application of this work will aid in understanding the influence of gut serotonin production on motility and on mental health, including anxiety and depression.
Jessica began her PhD in bioengineering in ABNEL at Northeastern Fall of 2018. Prior to her time at Northeastern, she completed her bachelors and accelerated masters degrees in biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Her master’s research was done in the Institute for Vision Research under the direction of Dr. Budd Tucker and Dr. Kristan Worthington, titled,“2D and 3D Control of Photopolymerized Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for Cell Replacement Therapy in Retinal Disease.”
Ph.D. Bioengineering
Northeastern University ’23
Boston, MA
M.S. Biomedical/Medical Engineering
University of Iowa ’18
Iowa City, IA
B.S. Biomedical/Medical Engineering
University of Iowa ’17
Iowa City, IA
Abby Featured in Northeastern University Feature Article
Abby is featured in a News@Northeastern article titled, “If cells could talk … actually, they do. But what are they saying?” Details included below: Abigail Koppes, assistant professor of chemical engineering, is isolating cell groups on tiny plastic chips, enabling her team to observe the specific roles of cells that have gotten lost in the noise […]
ABNEL Welcomes New PhD Students Kyla and Kirstie
ABNEL welcomes Kyla Nichols and Kirstie Belanger as new PhD students. Kyla comes from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (B.S. Biomedical Engineering) and Kirstie is joining on rotation from the University of Maine (B.S. Biomedical Engineering).