Current Title, Department, Employer:
Research Associate (K99), John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Brief Bio (Past Education, Research Positions, Etc.):
2017- Postdoctoral Fellow, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at
Harvard University
2017 PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2011 BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Who have been your mentors?
My passion for orthopaedic research began through undergraduate coursework in biomechanics at the University of Rochester. Early on, I was fortunate to have enthusiastic and dedicated research mentors, as I conducted orthopaedic research with Dr. Amy Lerner and Dr. Edward Schwarz. Over the summers of 2010 and 2011, I worked with Dr. Frances Sheehan-Gavelli at the NIH as an IRTA to investigate knee biomechanics using MRI. This led me to the University of Pennsylvania for my PhD in bioengineering to study structure-function mechanisms in tendons under the mentorship of Dr. Lou Soslowsky. To combine my background in orthopaedic biomechanics and gain knowledge and insight in biomaterials, drug delivery, and mechanobiology, I began a postdoctoral fellowship at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University with Dr. David Mooney.
What are you currently working on?
My research focuses on the design and synthesis of biomaterials to improve the repair of biological tissues, with a special focus in orthopaedics. The goal of these multifunctional biomaterials is to provide an adhesive interface to anchor scaffolds directly to tissue surfaces, create niche environments to maintain tendon derived cell homeostasis, and serve as drug delivery systems for therapeutics to improve tissue healing.
What project(s) are you looking forward to in the near future?
In my K99, we are developing new biomaterials to deliver drugs and biologics locally to tendon during aging.
When you’re not in the lab, what do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy running, playing piano, sailing, and hiking.
Follow Me on Social Media!
Twitter Handle (personal or lab): @BenRFreedman
ResearchGate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Benjamin-Freedman-3