News & Events
Department Events

Events

  • Nov
    21

    BME Seminar Series: Dr. Ian Wong

    McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)

    4:00 PM Tech L361, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILSmore info

    Beyond 2D: Collective Cell Migration and Topological Data Analysis

    ABSTRACT:

    Epithelial cell migration is shaped by extracellular matrix architecture during development and disease, but the extracellular matrix is also dynamically remodeled by epithelial cells. Here, I present recent results from my group on the so-called epithelial-mesenchymal transition, whereby cells weaken cell-cell adhesions and gain a pro-invasive phenotype. First, we analyze the disorganization and dissemination of multicellular clusters cultured in 3D matrix, which exhibit both collective and individual invasion phenotypes with spatially non-uniform traction signatures. Second, we elucidate how larger multicellular spheroids transition from coordinated circumferential orbiting towards radial matrix invasion. Finally, we describe the use of topological barcodes for machine learning of tissue architecture based on spatial connectivity (i.e. persistent homology). We envision new insights into the dynamic reciprocity that emerges between cells and their physical microenvironment via mechanobiology and AI / ML approaches.

    BIO:

    Ian Wong is Associate Professor of Engineering, and of Pathology / Laboratory Medicine at Brown University. He engineers new miniaturized technologies based on biomaterials and microfluidics to investigate cancer cell invasion, drug resistance, and heterogeneity. He is also interested in the unconventional fabrication of bio and nano materials using self-assembly and 3D printing. He did his graduate work on the directed self-assembly of biomolecular materials with Nick Melosh, receiving a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. His postdoctoral training was with Mehmet Toner and Daniel Irimia at the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has been recognized with an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fellowship, the Brown University Pierrepont Award for Outstanding Advising and the Fain Engineering Faculty Research Award.

    more

    TIME Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

    LOCATION Tech L361, Technological Institute    map it

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Naomi Vasciannie    naomi.vasciannie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick - Biomedical Engineering Department (BME)

  • Sep
    8

    Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Sep
    12

    New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Sep
    15

    Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

    LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Sep
    16

    Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

    ADD TO CALENDAR

    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar