Elena Lomakina

Elena Lomakina, M.D., Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry. Her research focuses on cellular mechanics, cell adhesion, and the biophysical mechanisms governing leukocyte-endothelial interactions during inflammation. She holds a PhD in Cell Biology from Russian State Medical University (1995) and an MD (1992), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Rochester (2001–2006).

Her work integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to study how mechanical forces and molecular interactions regulate cell behavior. Key areas include the role of cell surface topography in adhesion, glycocalyx-mediated barrier function, and the mechanics of leukocyte migration. Collaborations with the Waugh Lab and others explore red blood cell maturation, microfluidic systems for cell culture, and the dynamics of CAR T cell migration.

Lomakina’s research has led to over 25 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on integrin activation, neutrophil phagocytosis, and endothelial glycocalyx properties. Her lab employs advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy and micropipette aspiration to probe cellular mechanics. Ongoing projects investigate the impact of mechanical forces on immune cell function and the development of microfluidic platforms to model vascular inflammation.