Meet Our Team

Prof. Robert C. Chang

Principal Investigator

Robert Chang received his B.S. from The University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University with a research focus in computer-aided tissue engineering. His doctoral dissertation centered on the development of biofabrication systems to create reproducible, biomimetic 3D micro-organs as a high-throughput in vitro radiation/drug model for NASA's exploration in planetary environments. He received a National Research Council (NRC) Research Fellowship to work as a biomechanical engineer in the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of     Standards and Technology (NIST) where he has engineered novel tissue models towards the validation of depth-resolving optical modalities including optical coherent tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy for dimensional metrology as well as hyperspectral imaging for wound healing applications and surgical scenes. Robert is  currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Stevensm, where  his  research interests are in biofabrication, biomodeling, and measurement of biotissues.​

PHD Students

Ralf Zgeib (Google Scholar - LinkedIn - GitHub)

Bio:
Ralf Zgeib is a mechanical‑engineering researcher whose career began with a B.E. in Notre Dame University-Lebanon and has since encompassed industry roles, entrepreneurship, and doctoral work in the United States. He specializes in gradient multi‑material bioprinting, designing next‑generation 3D bioprinting systems such as a modular quad‑extrusion platform paired with an in‑situ rheometric module that fuses load‑cell force data and pressure sensing to calculate real‑time viscosity of non‑Newtonian bioinks during deposition. These integrated hardware–software tools underpin his efforts to fabricate spatially precise hydrogel constructs and to create rigorous in‑vitro models of cell–cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Research Interests:
  • Multi‑material gradient extrusion bioprinting in support‑bath environments
  • Real‑time sensor acquisition and data fusion (load cells, pressure sensors, flow controllers) for closed‑loop print control
  • Rheological modeling of bioinks (Carreau‑Yasuda, power‑law, wall‑slip and Bagley corrections)
  • Design and prototyping of custom printheads and modular hardware for extrusion and microfluidic applications
  • Quantitative studies of trophoblast invasion and other cell–cell and cell-hydrogel interactions in engineered placenta models
  • Advanced triaxial mechanical and flow‑resistance characterization of GelMA and related hydrogels
  • Image‑based and mechanical‑property validation of printed constructs for disease modeling and drug‑testing platforms

Ahmadreza (Amzi) Zaeri  (Google Scholar - LinkedIn)

Bio:
Amzi earned his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering  at Shiraz University, Iran 2015 and his M.Sc. at Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran in 2018. He started his Ph.D. study in Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in 2019. Amzi's research interest is in the field of Biomanufacturing, 3D Bioprinting, Tissue Engineering, and Biotechnology. Recently, He has won Provost Doctoral Fellowship Awards.

​​ Research Interests:
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Reza Jangi  (Google Scholar - LinkedIn)

Bio:
Reza Jangi joined as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in Spring 2025. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic (Amirkabir University of Technology). His current research focuses on melt electrowriting (MEW) for fabricating advanced scaffold architectures—primarily planar and spindle-like structures—and on the development and optimization of the MEW process for biomedical applications.
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​​ Research Interests:
  • Investigating the influence of collector and wall conductivity on the morphology and quality of spindle-like scaffolds fabricated via melt electrowriting (MEW)

Undergraduate Students

Giorgio Corica (LinkedIn)

Bio:
​Giorgio is an undergraduate student pursuing a B.E. in Biomedical Engineering. He joined BMBM lab in March 2025. His research interests include Multi-material Gradient Bioprinting, Microfluidics, Trophoblast Invasion Studies.
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​​ Research Interests:
  • Gradient Multi-material Bioprinting

Ethan Gvili

Bio:
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​​ Research Interests:​

Alumni:

PhD:
  • Fucheng (Steve) Zhang
  • Kai (Andre) Cao
  • Houzhu (Mike) Ding
  • Filippos Tourlomousis
Masters:
  • Mellina Calzolaio
Undergraduates:
  • Olivia Liu
  • Ethan Hagen