msimonik

I grew up playing soccer and ended up suffering from 3 ACL tears: 1 in high school and back-to-back tears in college. In search of a new passion, I shifted my focus heavily towards my academics where I decided to study the “turf vs. grass” topic for my senior project for my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering degree at Union College (Schenectady, NY).

I found that I loved the idea of applying mechanical principles to study the human body and decided to further my education by pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). I worked in a tissue engineering lab where we developed cartilage-bone constructs and studied the enthesis region where the two cell types grew together. The long-term goal of the research is to be able to grow patient-specific meniscal transplants.

I went on to complete my Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechanics from Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY). During that time, I studied foot implants used to reestablish and maintain the medial arch of the foot. These implants are used for diabetic patients suffering from a “rocker-bottom” deformity in the foot. During that time, I also served as a teaching assistant (TA) for Watson Capstone Projects and for the Engineering Design Division (EDD) where I discovered my passion for teaching.

I currently serve as the Engineering Communications Coordinator in the EDD where I primarily work with students in the first-year engineering program and engineering upperclassmen who serve as course assistants. I love my role as I am able to both teach and pursue my passion for biomechanics and sports research. Most importantly, I am able to introduce undergraduate students to research and guide them on their journey as my advisors had done for me!

April 2024