Group 2020 - 2021 Utah

Ethan Griswold is pursuing a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on biomaterials and therapeutics at the University of Utah.  Prior to Utah, Ethan conducted research at the University of Vermont and at the Uniklinikum RWTH Aachen University in Germany.  He worked on improving the hemocompatibility of lung assist devices, pulmonary xenotransplantation of mammalian and avian species, immunogenicity studies of proteins, and adapting 3D printing technology for biological materials.  Ethan completed his Bachelor of Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was part of several organizations, including Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society.   He also served as president of his local chapter of Engineering World Health, as part of which he traveled to Guatemala and worked with local hospitals to repair medical equipment.  Ethan received the Diane and Tom Might Award in honor of their grandson, Bertrand Might.

Jake graduated magna cum laude with an Honors B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah in 2017. Since then he has worked as a field engineer for a water treatment company specializing in biological water treatment at various industrial sites. Jake’s decision to pursue a PhD comes from his love of the environment and his desire to find innovative and sustainable engineering solutions that preserve the environment while also amplifying humans’ quality of life. Jake is working in Dr. Kody Powell’s research group with his research based around modeling, optimizing, and controlling complex energy systems. Jake enjoys challenging himself mentally through engineering problems and physically through various backcountry adventures.  Jake received the ARCS Foundation Utah Chapter Award.

Lydia Sauer completed her medical school training at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. During this time, she also pursued a doctoral degree in the Department of Experimental Ophthalmology in Jena under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Hammer.  Her thesis focused on how a new retinal imaging technology, called fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO), could be applied in basic science and clinical approaches. Her thesis work in FLIO imaging received a prestigious thesis award by the German Ophthalmological Society.  Dr. Sauer’s research in FLIO related to retinal carotenoids—antioxidants made by plants that are believed to neutralize light-induced damage in the eye—connected her with Dr. Paul S. Bernstein at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah. She accepted a visiting scholar position in clinical research with Dr. Bernstein, an opportunity that established the Moran Eye Center as the first FLIO imaging and research center in the United States.  FLIO, an extremely sensitive, non-invasive camera, is used to map subtle changes in the retina before structural damages occur, leading to early diagnosis and treatment and a better understanding of eye diseases.  Dr. Sauer’s primary research interest focuses on inherited retinal diseases, including macular telangiectasia type 2 and age-related macular degeneration.  From 2018 until 2020, Dr. Sauer worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Bernstein’s lab. Her research was recognized with the Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award in 2019. As a resident, Dr. Sauer’s research goal aims to further establish FLIO as a clinical diagnostic tool, specifically with retinal diseases.  In her free time, Dr. Sauer enjoys hiking, skiing, and photography.  Lydia is receiving the Mark and Kathie Miller Award in honor of Dr. Randall Olson.