This Is What Science Looks Like at NC State: Ashley Brown

Editor’s Note:This post was written byAshley Brown, an assistant professor in the joint department of biomedical engineering at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. The post is an entry inan ongoing seriesthat we hope will highlight the diversity of researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

米y name is Ashley Brown, and I am an assistant professor in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. My research focuses on creating novel biomimetic soft materials for augmenting wound healing and for understanding biological processes involved in tissue repair.

“Biomimetic” refers to imitating, or mimicking, biological models, systems, and/or components. By using biomimetic approaches, researchers can create materials in the lab that replicate certain desired features of biological systems to solve engineering problems.

As an example, a current biomimetic approach in my group includes the development of platelet-like particles, which mimic certain features of natural platelets, including size, mechanical properties and binding to wound sites. Natural platelets are critical to cessation of bleeding following injury and promote subsequent wound healing. By mimicking features of natural platelets, we can create synthetic particles that have similar biological effects as natural platelets, such as helping to stop bleeding and promoting wound healing, without the potential negative side effects of transfusion of natural platelets, such as inducing a negative immune response.

我们还可以使用仿生方法来创建由模仿天然组织的力学和生物学特性的软材料制成的二维和三维组件。然后，我们可以使用具有精心控制材料特性的这些组件来研究细胞反应（例如细胞粘附和迁移），从而导致适当的伤口修复，而不是疤痕组织形成。通过了解促进伤口愈合而无需疤痕的潜在细胞机制，我们随后可以设计更好的材料来促进组织修复。

I grew up in Greer, South Carolina, where I had the pleasure of having several wonderful science teachers in middle school and high school who instilled in me a love for physical and life sciences. So, when I was in 7th grade, I decided that I wanted to be an engineer. I attended Clemson University and received a B.S. in biosystems engineering. I subsequently attended Georgia Tech, where I received a PhD in bioengineering.

I was initially drawn to biomedical engineering because it allows me to apply my love of science and engineering to real world healthcare problems. Knowing that I am working on problems that could actually save someone’s life one day or greatly improve a patient’s standard of living is tremendously rewarding and continues to drive my passion for research.

I am passionate about science outreach, and I enjoy having opportunities to talk to middle and high school students about biomedical engineering. I also enjoy working with undergraduate and graduate students in the lab; it is fantastic to see students engaged in research and experiencing science and engineering first hand.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Chris, who is an electrical engineer, and our two miniature dachshunds, Dobby and Gryffin. Chris and I met as undergraduates at Clemson, and we are huge college football fans. I also love adventure and traveling, and I enjoy staying active through running and Ashtanga yoga.