Chia-Pei Denise Hsu

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant (GA/RA/TA)
Florida International University, Miami, FL, Aug 2017 - Dec 2022
- Investigated effects of calcification due to fluid oscillatory shear stress on paracrine signaling between cardiovascular cell types conditioned in a microfluidic shear assay system and a bioreactor
- Cultured, expanded, and maintained mammalian cell types (VECs, VICs, VasECs, VasSMCs, HBMSCs) for experimentation and liquid nitrogen storage
- Performed gene and protein expressions on conditioned cells and tissues using RT-qPCR, ELISA, Western blot, histology, and immunostaining
- Used SolidWorks and ANSYS CFD to design and fabricate a bioreactor to facilitate 3D tissue culture under physiologically relevant flow environments
- Assessed hydrodynamic functions of heart valves with regenerative capacities using valvular cells seeded in bio-scaffolds conditioned in a bioreactor
- Determined data significance with p-values obtained from statistical tools
- Mentored five undergraduate lab assistants
- TA-ed classes: Biomedical Engineering Transport (5 semesters), Cell and Tissue Engineering (3 semesters)

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, Jan 2007 - May 2009
- Biomedical Engineering: Designed experimental protocols and apparatus for MS-1 bacteria culture and nanocrystal patterning using PDMS microfluidics and silicon wafers
- Mechanical Engineering: Analyzed input/output energies of various solid oxide fuel cell geometries using Fluent and Gambit

Research Experience for Undergraduates
The University of Akron, Akron, OH, May 2007 - Aug 2007
- Completed REU program in the Department of Polymer Engineering
- Designed experimental apparatus for testing aerogel soundproof properties

Mirza A, Hsu CPD, Rodriguez A, Alvarez P, Lou L, Sey M, Agarwal A, Ramaswamy S, Hutcheson JD. Computational Model for Early-Stage Aortic Valve Calcification Shows Hemodynamic Biomarkers. Bioengineering. 2024; 11(10): 955. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11100955
Gonzalez BA, Herrera A, Ponce C, Gonzalez Perez M, Hsu CPD, Mirza A, Perez M, Ramaswamy S. Stem Cell-Secreted Allogeneic Elastin-Rich Matrix with Subsequent Decellularization for the Treatment of Critical Valve Diseases in the Young. Bioengineering. 2022; 9(10): 587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100587
Hsu CPD, Tchir A, Mirza A, Chaparro D, Herrera RE, Hutcheson JD, Ramaswamy S. Valve Endothelial Cell Exposure to High Levels of Flow Oscillations Exacerbates Valve Interstitial Cell Calcification. Bioengineering. 2022; 9(8): 393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9080393
Gonzalez BA, Perez-Nevarez M, Mirza A, Perez MG, Lin YM, Hsu CPD, … Ramaswamy S. Physiologically Relevant Fluid-Induced Oscillatory Shear Stress Stimulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances the Engineered Valve Matrix Phenotype. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2020; 7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2020.00069
Hsu CPD, Hutcheson JD, Ramaswamy S. Oscillatory Fluid-Induced Mechanobiology in Heart Valves with Parallels to the Vasculature. Vascular Biology. 2020; 2(1), R59-R71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/VB-19-0031
Ruder WC, Hsu CPD, Edelman BD, Schwartz R, Leduc PR. Biological colloid engineering: Self-assembly of dipolar ferromagnetic chains in a functionalized biogenic ferrofluid. Applied Physics Letters. 2012; 101(6), 063701. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4742329
Ruder WC, Hsu CPD, Chou SY, Dawson JT, Gonzalez LM, Antaki JF, Leduc PR. Micropatterning Biomanufactured Single-Domain Nanoparticles using Self-Assembly to form Artificial Magnetosome Chains. Biophysical Journal. 2010; 98(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2009.12.4001

Google Scholar Link: Chia-Pei Denise Hsu