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University Equity and Inclusion
Rutgers logo
University Equity and Inclusion
Rutgers logo
University Equity and Inclusion
Rutgers logo
University Equity and Inclusion
Faculty Diversity Collaborative Peer Network

Maribel Vazquez

Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Diversity Collaborative Peer Network - Placeholder Image
Pronouns
She/Her
Email
Mv582@soe.Rutgers.edu
Department webpage
http://HTTPS://bme.Rutgers.edu
Professional webpage
http://Https://VazLab.org
Chancellor-led Unit
Rutgers–New Brunswick

Department
Biomedical engineering

Highest degree earned
Doctor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MIT)
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MIT)

FDC Affiliation
Identity and Leadership (I-LEAD) Program
Mutual Mentoring Grant Program
Rutgers Connection Network Faculty Mentoring Program

About

I have been an academic researcher for > 25 years and began my career in industry. My projects focus on developing technologies that advance biomedical therapies for age related and chronic diseases. My NIH funding has developed engineering therapies for vision loss in adults. I care deeply about engineering education and have been a department co-founder as well as cite co/director for NSF research experience for undergraduates programs. I blend my research with education through the study of health disparities in the USA as well as through lab based courses in tissue engineering and micro fabrication. I want to develop my leadership skills to help bring together engineers with physicians and community health professionals to create holistic networks that address aging in the nervous system. I am excited for the I-LEAD program!!

 

Current Work

My laboratory develops microfluidic-based systems to examine regenerative therapies in the visual system. We study effects of diet-based hyperglycemia on blood retinal barriers (I.e. treatment for leaky blood vessels in the eye in diabetic retinopathy) and use of electrical stimulation for retinal cell transplantation (electrode placement to treat age related macular degeneration and glaucoma). Our projects use in vitro and ex vivo systems to model chronic human disease.