Dana Spence

Dr. Dana Spence is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry at Michigan State University's College of Engineering, affiliated with the Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering. She leads a multidisciplinary research group focusing on solving biomedical problems through analytical chemistry, bioengineering, pharmacology, and hematology. Her work centers on red blood cells' roles in diabetes, sickle cell disease, multiple sclerosis, and transfusion medicine, with a particular emphasis on C-peptide's interactions and 3D-printed technologies for medical applications.

Education: B.S. in Chemistry from Grand Valley State University (1992), Ph.D. in Chemistry from Michigan State University (1997). Prior faculty positions at Saint Louis University and Wayne State University.

Research Interests: C-peptide's binding to red blood cells in Type 1 diabetes, hydroxyurea's effects on sickle cell disease, and novel blood storage solutions. The Spence Group develops 3D-printed microfluidic devices for applications in drug testing, cell analysis, and diagnostic platforms. Recent studies include optimizing red blood cell storage to maintain freshness and investigating how diabetic conditions affect C-peptide delivery.

Labs/Teams: The Spence Lab focuses on integrating 3D printing with biomedical research, particularly in microfluidics and hematology. Their work bridges chemistry, engineering, and medicine to address clinical challenges.