Dr. Vazquez had the opportunity to speak at the 2025 CUWIP hosted at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Additionally, two students from the lab, Vivian Zaya and Juliana Norman present their research data.

Wheaton College received a generous gift of a Nikon AXR laser scanning confocal microscope. This microscope opens up a whole new level of possibilites in the Vazquez Lab research. It is also an incredible tool is pushing Wheaton College's science department forward.

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) welcomed biomedical engineers from across the country to present at the NIBIB BETA: “Building Bridges Across NIH and the Broader Engineering Community” inaugural national meeting held on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Vazquez had the opportunity to present new research from the Vazquez Lab.

Dr. Vazquez had the opportunity to present at the 2024 SACNAS National Diversity in STEM conference in Phoenix, AZ on careers in engineering and serve as a discipline captain for the engineering sessions.

Additionally, Sam Schutz presented a poster alongside Jonathan Young. Their conference abstract entitled "An Investigation into Temperature Effects on Cast and Extruded PMMA."

Dr. Vazquez has the opportunity to present research at the Midwest Islet Club hosted by the University of Chicago.  Her talk was titled "Modulation of the biomechanical environment alter β-cell function and maturity." She also brought along her SRP summer research students.

Sam Schutz (top left) is a pre-med junior majoring in chemistry and applied physics at Wheaton College. As a pre-med applied physics student, he is looking forward to combining these two disciplines into biomechanical engineering research. During the school year, he is also an organic chemistry TA and tennis player. His favorite hobbies include juggling and playing chess. 

Nathaniel Rupert (top right) is a mechanical engineering major at Wheaton College. On campus he enjoys taking science classes as well as singing for the Wheaton College Men’s Glee Club. Science has long been a passion and hobby of his, which is why he decided to both help with research and further his scientific education by joining the Vazquez research group.

Juliana Norman (bottom left) is a biomedical engineering major at Wheaton College. She is currently an NCAA D3 student-athlete, on the Wheaton College women's soccer team as well as the track team. In her free time, she likes to run, read, and spend time with friends.

Sam Kendall (bottom right) is studying music and biomedical engineering (BS/MS) at Washington University in St. Louis. He is passionate about mechanobiology and biomedical imaging. In addition to his coursework, he spent last academic year doing radiology research in an MRI lab at the WashU School of Medicine, which has ignited a love for health related research. 

Welcome to our lab!!

Kaleb Ecklund (left) received a prestigious Department of Energy’s (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) for Summer 2024. He will be conducting biophysical research with fluorescent microscopy.

Carsten Schumm (right) was awarded an undergraduate engineering Research Fellowship in the Pennsylvania State University’s Low-Carbon Power and Propulsion Program supported by the National Science Foundation for Summer 2024. 

Our lab is SO excited for them!

We are excited to begin our scientific journey at Wheaton College in Fall 2023 (YAY)!