SUMMARY
The research focus of Melissa D. Young, Ph.D., is cardiovascular biomaterial regenerative engineering. Dr. Young has an active research team that focuses on design, materials, biomechanics and computer modeling for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Young's clinical research studies analyze biomedical imaging and data analytics to uncover disease trends that impact medical device performance such as stents. Many therapeutic devices are being built with advanced materials and this work has incorporated material characterization with an emphasis on processing, fatigue performance and biocompatibility. Dr. Young's studies build an understanding of how material structure and processing relates to performance in clinical patients.
Focus areas
- Cardiovascular biomechanical and computer modeling research. Dr. Young conducts biomechanical research and computer modeling of heart valves, stents and complex arteries for patients with cardiovascular disease.
- Cardiovascular biomaterials research. Dr. Young conducts in vitro, in vivo and in silico research on cardiovascular biomaterials.
- Development of regenerative cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Young develops novel processes for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering used for cardiac applications that include decellularization, electrospinning and 3D-bioprinting.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Young's research integrates the use of mathematical modeling and biomechanics principles, both solid and fluid analyses, to provide accurate predictions of wall shear stress, plaque rupture, revascularization and effectiveness of treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease.
The computer models can be used for device longevity prediction and allow for less invasive screenings for patients. Further, with the relationships established between vessel mechanics and disease progression, the models can be used to provide a deeper understanding of the vessel pathology on long-term prognosis and be used as a predictive tool for cardiovascular disease.