Arina Korneva

Arina Korneva is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech, part of the College of Engineering. She leads the Nerve Mechanics Lab, focusing on biomechanical studies of ocular and neural tissues. Her work addresses glaucoma pathophysiology, optic nerve mechanics, and neurodegenerative processes through experimental and computational methods.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University (2018), and dual B.S. degrees in Biomedical Engineering (Georgia Tech) and Biology (Emory University). Postdoctoral training was conducted at Johns Hopkins University in Mechanical Engineering and Ophthalmology.

Research interests span biomechanics, neuroengineering, and biomaterials, with emphasis on astrocytic lamina cribrosa mechanics, optic nerve head deformation, and aquaporin-4 regulation in glaucoma. Recent work explores computational models of intraocular pressure effects and decellularized tissue mechanics.

Publications from 2011–2025 reflect contributions to optic nerve mechanics, aortic biomechanics, and lymphatic pump function. Notable findings include the role of mechanical strain in astrocytic lamina changes and the impact of decellularization on tracheal structural integrity.

Awards include the ISER/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium Travel Award (2022), Rising Star in Mechanical Engineering (2021), and participation in the SWE Academic Leadership Program (2020).

Labs/Teams: Primary affiliation with the Nerve Mechanics Lab. Collaborates across disciplines in biomedical engineering and ophthalmology.