Stephanie Bendtsen

12 Edgewood St. Apt. 3 (203) 910-2302

Stafford Springs, CT 06076

Career Objective:

Ph.D. recipient in Materials Science with expertise in hydrogel biomaterialsand extensive experience with cell culture and 3D bioprinting. Seeking organizations conducting innovative research in human therapeutics, drug discovery, and treatment of complex diseases.

Skills:

Cell Culture, 3D printing, Rheology, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, SolidWorks, Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Word

Relevant Coursework:

Advanced Biopharmaceutics, Advanced Cell Biology, Tissue Engineering, Advanced Biomaterials, Polymer Characterization, Biochemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Nanomaterials

Education:

Ph.D., Materials Science, University of Connecticut (GPA: 3.85/4.0) May 2017

B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut (GPA: 3.51/4.0) May 2012

Minor: Materials Science and Engineering

Experience:

Ph.D. Materials Science Graduate Research

Wei Laboratory, University of Connecticut, August 2012- May 2017

  • Ph.D. Dissertation entitled, “Alginate Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Regeneration”including initial project conception, experimental design,extensive materials characterization and application assessment
  • First at the University of Connecticut to successfully 3D bioprint or incorporate live cells into a novel hydrogel system and 3D printscaffolds of high cell viability and shape fidelity
  • Conducted in vitro cell culture and completed proliferation assays of 3D bioprintedMC3T3 cells
  • Optimized experimental design through a systematic investigation and troubleshooting to achieve enhanced proliferation of 3D bioprinted MC3T3 cells, resulting in a novel tri-polymer hydrogel formulation
  • Developed alginate-polyvinyl alcohol-hydroxyapatite bioink with optimal rheological properties capable of encapsulating and 3D printing cells into scaffolds capable of promoting bone regeneration
  • Completed rheological and degradation studies to characterize and evaluate degradation properties of 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds
  • Developed novel injectable alginate-collagen-apatite hydrogel with controllable gelation time for bone tissue regeneration using an ionically crosslinked sol-gel transition method
  • Completed extensive characterization analyses of alginate-collagen-apatite hydrogels including DMA, XRD, FTIR and TGA
  • Conceptualized, wrote, and presented a Grant Proposal for Ph.D. General Exam requirement
  • Conducted thorough literature reviews throughout Ph.D. research until project completion
  • Two-time peer reviewer for popular Biomedical Materials Research journal
  • Presented and communicated thesis work updates and results to Principal Investigator and lab group in meetings every 3 weeks
  • Lab manager ordering and keeping inventory of laboratory supplies

Undergraduate Senior Design Project

Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Connecticut, August2011- May 2012

  • Designed and developed a Pulsatile Left Heart Simulator for testing of mechanical and bioprosthetic valves while accurately simulating the hemodynamic and pressure flow conditions of the left side of the heart
  • Worked closely with senior design team and professor providing funding for the project to present weekly progress and successfully complete the project by its due date

Biomechanics Intern

Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Connecticut Health Center, May 2011- January 2012

  • Worked with research group under Dr. Mazzocca and conducted biomechanical testing using an MTS on biological rotator cuffs, biceps tendons and acromioclavicular joints to test various repair techniques developed by an orthopaedic surgeon
  • Dissected cadaver shoulders, drilled and inserted screws into the humerous to prepare for biceps tendon testing
  • Used MaxTRAQ and Excel to analyze test videos and graph muscle displacement

Outreach and Leadership:

NSF GK-12 Fellowship (0947869) recipient 2014-2015, 2015-2016

  • Traveled to Ellis Technical High School in Danielson, CT once a week to educate students about STEM through various activities and to inspire involvement in STEM fields

UConn Multiply Your Options (MYO) program guest speaker (2013-2017)

  • Volunteered at a one-day conference for 8th grade middle school girls, to serve as a role model and help expose them to activities and opportunities in the STEM fields

Undergraduate laboratory mentor (2013-2017)

  • Guided and taught students experimental techniques and procedures in the laboratory

Teaching Assistant (Fall 2016)

  • Tutored and mentored undergraduate students in need of assistance in an introductory Materials Science and Engineering course
  • Responsible for grading exams and homework and bookkeeping

UConn Explore Engineering program demonstrator (Summer 2016)

  • Conducted and explained principles behind basic Materials Science and Engineering demonstrations to high school students during the two-week camp

UConn YESS program instructor (Summer 2016)

  • Volunteered to run night-time engineering labs and activities to further enrich high school students’ knowledge and interest in materials science and engineering

Materials Research SocietyMember (2013- Present)

Society for BiomaterialsMember (2013- Present)

Alpha Sigma Mu Materials Science and Engineering Honor Society member (Fall 2016-present)

Biomedical Engineering Society Member (Storrs, CT, 2008-2012)

Alpha Eta Mu Beta Engineering Honor Society (Storrs, CT, 2012)

National Society of Leadership and Success Member (2012)

Awards:

Best Poster Nominee at the international Spring 2016 Materials Research Society conference

Featured in article on UConn’s MSE website entitled, “Stephanie Bendtsen’s Research for Regeneration”

UConn Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship recipient (Fall 2016)

UConn Graduate Travel Award recipient (Spring 2016)

NSF GK-12 Fellowship (947869) recipient (2014-2015, 2015-2016)

Graduate Research Diversity Supplement (GRDS) fellowship recipient (Fall 2012- Summer 2014)

UConn Dean’s List Fall (2008-2012)

Walter M. Rose Scholarship Recipient (2009-2012)

Rachel and Ronald Brand Family Scholarship (2008-2009)

School of Engineering Freshmen Scholarship (Fall 2008-Spring 2009)

UConn Presidential Scholar (2008)

Publications:

Bendtsen ST. “Alginate hydrogels for bone tissue regeneration” Doctoral Dissertations, 2017, 1409

Bendtsen ST, Wei M. “In vitro evaluation of 3D bioprinted tri-polymer hydrogel scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration” In submission

Bendtsen ST, Quinnell SP, Wei M. “Development of a novel alginate-polyvinyl alcohol-hydroxyapatite hydrogel for 3D bioprinting bone tissue engineered scaffolds” J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A, 2017, 105, 1457-1468

Bendtsen ST, Wei M. "Synthesis and characterization of a novel injectable alginate–collagen–hydroxyapatite hydrogel for bone tissue regeneration"J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 3081-3090

Poster presentations:

Bendtsen ST, Wei M. (Fall 2016 MRS Conference, Boston, Massachusetts) “In Vitro Evaluation of 3D Bioprinted Alginate-Hydroxyapatite Hydrogel Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration”

Bendtsen ST, Wei M. (Spring 2016 MRS Conference, Phoenix, Arizona) "3D Bioprinting of Alginate-Hydroxyapatite Hydrogel Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration"

Bendtsen ST, Wei M. (Spring 2015 Society of Biomaterials Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina) "Development of a Novel Injectable-Alginate-Collagen-Apatite Hydrogel for Bone Tissue Regeneration"