معرفی
Carolyn Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Material Science at Wayne State University's College of Engineering. Her research program focuses on bioengineering solutions for hydrocephalus treatment, particularly in developing improved shunt designs and understanding the cellular mechanisms of shunt failure. Dr. Harris leads a laboratory that studies hydrocephalus with a specific emphasis on bioengineering strategies to improve treatment outcomes and quantifying cellular responses to brain injury.
Dr. Harris's research interests center on hydrocephalus pathophysiology, cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, shunt design innovation, and the cellular mechanisms of shunt obstruction. Her work bridges chemical engineering principles with clinical neurosurgery to develop improved treatments for hydrocephalus. She has developed novel benchtop models for testing ventricular catheters and has investigated the role of astrocyte responses in shunt failure mechanisms. Her research has significant implications for improving the longevity and effectiveness of hydrocephalus treatments.
Analysis of Dr. Harris's recent publications reveals a strong focus on ventricular catheter design optimization, shunt obstruction mechanisms, and innovative approaches to improve hydrocephalus treatment. Her work spans computational fluid dynamics, benchtop modeling, biomaterials development, and clinical studies examining predictors of shunt failure. The research demonstrates a progression from fundamental fluid dynamics to clinical applications, with increasing emphasis on translational research that directly impacts patient care.
- NIH funding for hydrocephalus research to continue work on improving shunt design
Dr. Harris teaches engineering courses including Separation Processes (CHE3800), Basic Engineering I: Design in Engineering (BE1200), and Writing for Engineering Research (CHE7090). Her research program involves collaborations between chemical engineering and neurosurgery, leveraging expertise from both disciplines to address the complex challenges of hydrocephalus treatment. The Harris laboratory has developed several innovative models for testing shunt performance and understanding the biological mechanisms of shunt failure, contributing significantly to the field of neurosurgical device development.
