Research Topics
Image-based multi-scale modeling framework of the cardiopulmonary system
- this NIH project has developed and calibrate a multiscale model of the
cardiopulmonary system that enables coupled high resolution simulations of
the hemodynamics as well as cardiac and vascular mechanics.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms
(AAAs) - An
AAA refers to a focal dilatation of the abdominal aorta affecting
about 5% of elderly men in the US. Even with vast increase in
understanding of AAA pathology and advances in biomedical imaging and
biomechanical analysis, rupture of AAAs continues to cause a high rate
of mortality. Although it has been shown by multiple studies that wall
stress estimated by using patient-specific geometries predicts rupture
better than the maximum diameter does, the conventional finite element
analysis still could not provide a satisfactory tool to account for the
complex structure of the diseased tissue and bio-chemo-mechanical
process during the disease development and treatment. During the past
years, we have been developing a novel computational model of AAAs that
accounts for vascular G&R during the AAA progression using
medical-image based geometries. This research is supported by NIH and
specific research topics are:
- Medical image-based
simulation of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth
- Influence of hemodynamics, intraluminal thrombus layer (ILT), and
perivascular tissues during the progression of aortic
aneurysms
- Biomechanics and vascular adaptation after endovascular aneurysm
repair (EVAR)
- Fluid-Solid-Growth (FSG) interaction simulation

Fig. (left) the influence of spine contact for AAA growth and
(right) a computational fluid dynamic simulation
The
research highlight has been featured at HPCC.
Carotid artery bifurcaton -
Blood flow patterns and local hemodynamic parameters have been widely
associated with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in the
carotid artery. Assessment of these parameters can be performed
noninvasively using Cine phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI). In addition, in the last two decades, computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) simulations in three dimensional models derived from
anatomic medical images have been employed to investigate the blood
flow in the carotid artery. This study presented the procedure of a
subject specific CFD analysis on hemodynamics of the carotid artery.

Fig.
(left) a work flow estimating hemodynamics parameters using PC-MRI and
(right) a geometrical model of carotid artery stenosis
Bayesian statistics coupled with computational modeling of vascular
growth and remodeling -
this NSF CAREER project will illustrate that a Bayesian statistical
approach can provide a break-through to overcome the difficulty in
bridging the gap between biomedical modeling and clinical application.

Fig. Schematic drawing for using Bayesian approach with a vascular
disease model.
Mechanobiology of adult stem cells
- Stem cells are the most versatile and promising cell source for the
regeneration of aged, injured and disease tissues. However, before stem
cells can be extensively used clinically several challenges must be
overcome. A major hurdle lies in designing environments that trigger
the desired results. Specifically, to better control the
differentiation of stem cells one must understand the intertwined roles
of internal and external cues in modulating their fait. To this end, we
collaborate with Dr. Chan's group to particularly study roles of
coupled biomechanical and chemical stimuli on neuronal differentiation
of adult stem cells. This research is supported by NSF.

Fig. (left) Schematic illustrating stretch induced anisotropy and
(right) mesenchymal stem cells orientated upon a pre-stretch
Manual for cvtm-simvascular
Other current research topics:
- Mechanics of soft materials (biodegradable polymer, hydrogel,
controlled drug release)
- Biomaterials-hard tissue interactions (implants and
prostheses)
Research
Groups
- Hydrogel Engineering and Imaging Group (HEIG)
- Body Adaptation and Musculoskeletal Functions (BAMF)
research
- Fluid-Solid
Growth
at SimTK.org
Opening
We are looking for a postdoc who has experties and/or interest in
nonlinear FEM, FSI, Bayesian calibration and parallel computing.