Mark Mondrinos

Mark Mondrinos is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Tulane University, affiliated with the School of Science & Engineering. His research focuses on developing microphysiological systems and organoid-based models to study human tissues and diseases, with a particular emphasis on lung, muscle, and interstitial tissues. He integrates confocal microscopy and biochemical analysis to bridge translational gaps in preclinical therapy screening. Academic roles include teaching courses such as Microphysiological Systems (BMEN 6440) and Quantitative Physiology (BMEN 3070/6070).

Education & Affiliations:

• Inaugural Fellow, Center for Engineering Mechanobiology at Penn (2017)
• Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania (2014–2016)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Temple University School of Medicine (2012–2014)
• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University (2011)
• B.Sc. Chemical Engineering & Biological Chemistry, Florida State University (2002)

Research Focus: His lab engineers biologically-inspired models to study respiratory exposure injuries (e.g., vaping), fibrotic disorders, and muscle injury. Current projects include multi-organ microfluidic models for systemic effects of malignancies like cachexia. Key tools include organ-on-a-chip platforms and advanced imaging techniques.

Publications: Recent work spans PKC-delta inhibition in sepsis, tumor microenvironment modeling, and vascularized lung scaffolds. These studies highlight translational applications in drug screening and disease mechanisms.

Awards:

• 2013 Jeanette Piperno Memorial Award
• 2011 Drexel University Best PhD Dissertation

Labs/Teams: His laboratory at Tulane specializes in tissue engineering and microphysiological systems, collaborating with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania's Mechanobiology Center. Ongoing projects aim to advance personalized medicine through organ-on-a-chip technologies.