Michael Gibbons

Class of 2013

Education: Blended BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering at Cal Poly

 

Biography

Mike became interested in the CIRM Bridges program because he believed that stem cells have the potential to cure an untold number of diseases. He realized that his training as an engineer paired with the knowledge he gained through the Bridges program will put him in a position to help translate cutting edge stem cell research into real-life therapies. He didn't know yet whether he would reach that position by going straight into industry or by pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering, but regardless of his path he remained motivated by the potential of this exciting field.

He worked in Dr. Tom Rando’s lab at the Palo Alto Veteran’s Affairs hospital. He worked on two projects: one to recapitulate the in vivo muscle satellite cell niche in an engineered in vitro environment, and the other to develop a therapy for volumetric muscle loss using decellularized scaffolds and multiple cell types. Mike's role in these projects was to design and fabricate a microfluidic system and help refine a custom “quiescent media” for the in vitro niche, and to develop a bioreactor system for priming the large scale constructs with cells and matrix before implantation.

After graduating, Mike began his PhD in Biongineering at the University of California, San Diego.

Mike, presenting his Internship Research at the 2013 CIRM Trainee Meeting.