Matt Stebbins

Ph.D. 2017

co-advised by Prof. Palecek

Previous Education

B.S. Chemical Engineering 2011
Iowa State University, Ames, IA      

Hometown

Woodstock, IL

Current Research

Eric Shusta Research Group
Sean Palecek Research Group
University of Wisconsin Madison

The blood brain barrier is a critical component of neurological heath and consists of specialized endothelial cells, the cells that make of blood vessels. At the blood brain barrier, these endothelial cells develop an impermeable barrier through the expression of transporters and tight junction proteins. However, this extremely tight barrier can break down in many neurological diseases, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Matt is using human induced pluripotent stem cells’ differentiation potential to probe molecular cues regulating in vitro induction and maintenance of the human BBB. He plans to apply these findings to in vivo models and identification of potential drug targets that can alleviate BBB degradation implicated in neurological diseases.

Previous Research

Bioengineering Department
Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Halle, Germany                                   
PROJECT: Enzymatic cross-linkage of protein for applications in pharmacology, agriculture, and biodegradable plastic.
MENTOR:Joachim Ulrich and Isabell Stolte

Center for Biorenewable Chemicals  
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 
PROJECT: Metabolic engineering of E. coli fatty acid pathway for applications in biorenewable chemicals.
MENTOR: Laura Jarboe

Chemical and Biological Engineering Department
Iowa State University
Ames, IA                                  
PROJECT: Biopolymer engineering for stem cell regeneration therapy in spinal cord injuries.
MENTOR: Surya Mallapragada

Previous Work Experience:
LyondellBasell Industries   
Clinton, IA                               
PROJECT: Low Density Polyethylene Unit.
POSITION: PROCESS ENGINEERING INTERN