Dr. Kristin S. Miller is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas and within the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center. Dr. Miller’s research interests focus on the mechanobiology of soft tissues, including evaluating the role of elastic fibers and contractility in the female reproductive system. Dr. Miller conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University and received her Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, Kristin joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tulane University as an Assistant Professor and later received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020.  Kristin was awarded the NSF CAREER award for developing a biomechanical model that can predict how elastic fibers in the soft tissues of the female reproductive system change in response to mechanical pressure. In 2021, Kristin was awarded the YC Fung Early Career Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 2022, Kristin joined the UTD and UTSW faculty.


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Qinhan Zhou 周秦汉

Ph.D. Candidate, UTD Bioengineering

Born and raised in Xi’an, China, Qinhan graduated from Xi’an Jiaotong University and received a BS in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics in 2018. He has participated in undergraduate research programs and studied pattern avoidance problems and ODE-based epidemic models throughout his undergraduate career. This research experience benefited him in developing an interest in mathematical modeling and its application in medicine. Furthermore, it led him to pursue a PhD in BME. Qinhan is investigating the anisotropic biomechanical properties of vaginal tissue via planar biaxial testing. His favorite animal is an owl!

Mari J.E. Domingo

Ph.D. Candidate, UTD and UTSW Bioengineering

Mari is from Mililani, Hawai’i. She graduated with her BS in Bioengineering from Oregon State University and her MS in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University. Mari is part of the murine reproductive health team, primarily focusing on the mechanics of the cervix and uterus. She currently serves as the workshop chair for the ASME-BED Student Leadership Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys watching sports, Disney, and cooking.

Lily M. Buchanan

Ph.D. Candidate, UTD and UTSW Bioengineering

Lily is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2021, she received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York. Lily is part of the murine reproductive health team, primarily focusing on the vagina. Outside of research, her focus has primarily been on STEM education through Boys and Girls Clubs. Her hobbies change every six months, including painting, crocheting, and beach reading. 

Fatemeh Vahidi Zaman فاطمه

Ph.D. Candidate, UTD and UTSW Bioengineering

Fatemeh is from Tabriz, Iran, and graduated with a BSc in Materials Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in 2023. Her undergraduate research centered on the biomechanical properties of PLA-Mg composite scaffolds, fabricated using the FDM technique. This project sparked her passion for biomechanics, which she is now pursuing in further studies. Outside of academia, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and discovering new experiences.

Annika Sahota

Ph.D. Candidate, UTD and UTSW Bioengineering

Annika completed her previous studies at the University of Washington—Seattle. Her research experience has intersected basic sciences, clinical, and public/global health work. Through the BG&R and Pence lab, she aims to gain a deeper understanding of female reproductive organs, with a specific emphasis on changes during the perinatal period and pregnancy-associated outcomes.


Deepa Vasudevan

UTD Biomedical Engineering

Deepa is an undergraduate student at UTD pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering with a minor in biology. She joined the BG&R lab in Spring 2023 to further explore her interest in women’s reproductive health. She plans on working as a physician. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and reading.

Sugkirthy Gowri Sridhar

UTD Biomedical Engineering

Sugkirthy is from McKinney, TX. She majors in biomedical engineering and aspires to work in the medical devices industry upon graduation. Her research interest stems from her aspirations of developing medical devices to treat various conditions, specifically those related to women’s reproductive health.

David W. Matayo

UTD Biomedical Engineering

David is from Houston, TX, and is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. Driven by a passion for improving global healthcare access, he joined the BG&R lab in Spring 2024 to gain hands-on research experience and explore the intersection of engineering and medicine. His long-term goal is to develop affordable and accessible medical devices that have a positive impact on communities worldwide. Outside of academics, he enjoys unwinding with hobbies such as watching anime (his favorites include One Piece and Bleach), drawing, and gaming.

Ashley Cua

UTD Molecular Biology

Ashley is from Sacramento, California. She is an undergraduate in molecular biology and plans to work as a physician. She enjoys skiing, drawing, and playing cozy games like Stardew Valley in her free time.

Matthew Salinas

UTD Biomedical Engineering

Matt is from Dallas, Texas, and joined the BG&R Lab in Spring 2025. He previously researched Vagus Nerve Stimulation and its potential to restore bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injuries. He joined the BG&R Lab to expand his knowledge of the limitless possibilities in regenerative medicine and to explore innovative approaches to tissue repair and recovery.
He is currently an Enhancing Science with Undergraduate Research Experiences (ENSURE) Fellow. ENSURE is designed to support underrepresented students pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering and a career in scientific research.

Ashauntee Fairley

UT Austin Biomedical Engineering, American Sign Language

Ashauntee is currently visiting us from UT Austin as a BE STARS scholar. She is the child of a service member and has spent most of her life in Texas. Her interest in biomedical engineering was shaped by navigating multiple personal diagnoses and supporting her mother through a difficult high-risk pregnancy and postpartum recovery. She is passionate about addressing disparities in maternal health, especially for Black women and other underserved populations. Since 2021, Ashauntee has conducted biomaterials research in the Cosgriff-Hernandez Lab and has interned with the Health Equity Team at Children’s Health. She is also an officer in the National Society of Black Engineers, an advocate through the Deaf Student Alliance. She is pursuing a minor in American Sign Language to deepen her understanding of accessibility and equity in the medical field. Her long-term goal is to develop inclusive, patient-specific diagnostics and therapeutics for reproductive health. She envisions a healthcare system that centers inclusivity from bench to bedside. Outside of work, she enjoys sports, anime, K-pop, Chinese dramas, psychological horror, and spending time with her baby brother.


  • Sanjana Chemuturi, BE STARS Student 2024 – BME Student at UT Austin
  • Jasmine X. Kiley, BSE Graduate 2024 – Fulbright Scholar at Cambridge
  • Jorge Luis Rodriguez Pena, BE STARS Student 2023 – BME Student at University of Arkansas
  • Shelby White, Ph.D. Graduate 2023 – Postdoctoral Researcher NCSU 
  • Elle Sullivan, BSE Graduate 2023 
  • Rachel Soans, BSE Graduate 2023 – MS Molecular Engineering Student at University of Chicago
  • Avery G. Franques, TRIA Scholar 2022
  • Arya Monticino, MS Graduate 2022 –  Mechanical Engineer EndoQuest Robotics 
  • Matthew Comella,  BSE Graduate 2022 – MS BME Candidate
  • Preston Cremer, BSE Graduate 2022 – MS Materials Science and Engineering Candidate
  • Gabrielle Clark-Patterson, Ph.D. Graduate 2022 – General Engineer FDA
  • Katherine Mattingly, BSE Graduate 2021 – Surgical Theater 
  • Jordan Robison, MS/BSE Graduate 2021  – Obatala Sciences
  • Diego Gatica, MS/BSE Graduate 2021 – Axio Sim
  • Cassandra ConwayPh.D.  Graduate  2021 – Postdoctoral Researcher UC Irvine 
  • Elvis Danso, Ph.D. – Postdoctoral 2021 – Johnson & Johnson
  • Ashley Stuart, BSE Graduate 2020
  • Peyton Gibler, BSE Graduate 2020
  • Isabella Johnson, MS/BSE Graduate 2020
  • Richard Urbanowski, MS/BSE Graduate 2020
  • Rachel Russell, MS/BSE Graduate 2020
  • Akinjide Akintunde –  Ph.D.  Graduate  2019 – Assistant Professor UMBH
  • Ellen Pepperell, BSE Graduate 2019 
  • Shreya Gunda, BSE Graduate 2019 – Louisiana State University Medical School
  • Claire A. Sentilles, BSE Graduate 2019  – University of Tennesse Medical School
  • Jason D. Schuster, MS Graduate 2018
  • Daniel Capone, MS/BSE Graduate 2018  – Sutro Biopharma
  • Catherine Starks, BSE Graduate 2018
  • Taylor Sabol, BSE & BA Graduate 2018 – Design Engineer at voestalpine Nortrak, Inc.,
  • Madison Vanosdoll, BSE Graduate 2018 –  Masters Candidate at Johns Hopkins – Bioengineering Innovation and Design 
  • Katherine Brocker , BSE Graduate 2017
  • Taylor McCrady, MS/BSE Graduate 2017 – Process Development Engineer at Applied Medical 
  • Katy Robison,  MS/BSE Graduate 2017 – Application Support Engineer, Engineering Development Group at MathWorks 
  • Jonathan Nguyen, MS/BSE Graduate 2017 – Software Developer at Select Laboratory Software
  • Cody O’Cain,  BSE Graduate 2017 – Masters Candidate at the University of Virginia 
  • Derek Bivona, BSE Graduate  2016  –  Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Virginia 
  • Victoria Morris,  BSE Graduate 2016 – McGovern Medical School
  • Ben Sonin, BSE Graduate 2015 – Ph.D. Candidate at Northwestern University