Education
B.S in Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of New Mexico, 2019
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 2022
Research
Sera is a 5th year Ph.D. candidate studying collagen fiber formation in tissue engineered meniscus.
sl3222@cornell.edu | Twitter: @Serafina_Lopez4
Publications
Lopez, S. G.; Bonassar, L. J. The Role of SLRPs and Large Aggregating Proteoglycans in Collagen Fibrillogenesis, Extracellular Matrix Assembly, and Mechanical Function of Fibrocartilage. Connect. Tissue Res. 2021.
Posters and Presentations
Serafina Lopez, Lawrence Bonassar, PhD. Using siRNA to Control Aggrecan Deposition by Fibrochondrocytes for Meniscus Tissue Engineering. Poster Presented at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Americas Annual Conference; July 10-13, 2022; Toronto, Canada.
Serafina Lopez, Lawrence Bonassar, PhD. Removal of GAGs improves fiber formation and mechanical properties in tissue engineered meniscus. Orthopaedic Research Society Mini Meniscus Symposium; May 12th, 2022; Virtual Session.
Serafina Lopez, Jongkil Kim, Lawrence Bonassar, PhD. Removal of GAGs Improves Mechanical Properties and Resistance to Failure in Tissue Engineered Meniscal Enthesis. Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference; Feb. 4-8 2022; Tampa, Florida.
Serafina Lopez, Jongkil Kim, Lawrence Bonassar, PhD. Combined Effects of TGF-β1 and Chondroitinase ABC on Fiber Formation and Alignment in Tissue Engineered Meniscus. Poster presented at: Cornell Center for Materials Research Symposium; Jun. 9 2021; Virtual Symposium
Serafina Lopez, Jongkil Kim, Lawrence Bonassar, PhD. Combined Effects of TGF-β1 and Chondroitinase ABC on Fiber Formation and Alignment in Tissue Engineered Meniscus. Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference; Feb. 12-16 2021; Virtual Conference
Honors and Awards
- Dean’s Excellence Fellowship, Cornell University
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Personal
Sera grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she attended the University of New Mexico (UNM) and received an undergraduate degree in chemical and biological engineering. During her undergraduate studies, Sera worked at Sandia National Laboratories studying battery aging and thermal encapsulation. Sera continued her research at UNM hospital to study tough hydrogels for meniscus replacement applications. In her free time, Sera enjoys baking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog.
