PhD Student, Connective Tissue Engineering
City College of New York
Visiting Scholar, Orthopaedics Research Lab
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
huizi.lin@gmail.com

LinkedIn Profile

Hometown
Fujian, China

Education
B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, Cooper Union

Research
My research interests span tissue engineering, biomaterials, and biomechanics.  My thesis project is focused on developing a hydrogel system as potential nucleus pulposus replacements for intervertebral disc repair and regeneration.  To this end, I investigate the effects of modifying cellular microenvironment (scaffold properties, culture conditions, and soluble growth factors) on differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.  I also assess biological and biomechanical performance of developed hydrogels in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models.

Future Plans
I’m interested in translational biomedical engineering research for advancing healthcare and ultimately improving lives.

Other interests
In my free time I enjoy dancing, hiking, reading, and learning/trying new things.

Publications

• Lin HA, Gupta MS, Varma DM, Gilchrist ML, Nicoll SB. Lower crosslinking density enhances functional nucleus pulposus-like matrix elaboration by human mesenchymal stem cells in carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2016 Jan;104(1):165-77.

Conference Proceedings

• Lin HA and Nicoll SB. “Fabrication and Characterization of Injectable Sulfated Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogels for Nucleus Pulposus Replacement” Abstract for poster presentation #0611, 10^th World Biomaterials Congress. Montréal, Québec, Canada, May 2016.
• Varma DM, Lin HA, Long RG, Hecht AC, Iatridis JC, and Nicoll SB. “In Situ Gelling Cellulosic Copolymer Hydrogels Restore Intervertebral Disc Height and Biomechanical Properties Post Nucleotomy” Abstract for poster presentation #0869, Orthopaedic Research Society 2016 Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, March 2016.
• Varma DM, Lin HA, Long RG, Rognon C, Hecht AC, Iatridis JC, Nicoll SB. “Thermoresponsive, Redox-crosslinked Cellulosic Hydrogels Undergo In Situ Gelation and Restore Nucleus Pulposus Biomechanical Properties Post Nucleotomy” Abstract for podium presentation #263, Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference 2015. Snowbird Resort, UT, June 2015.
• Lin HA, Gupta MS, Varma DM, Nicoll SB. “Crosslinking Density Impacts Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation and Associate Nucleus Pulposus-like Matrix Assembly in Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogels” Abstract for poster presentation #0716, Orthopaedic Research Society 2015 Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, March 2015.
• Lin HA, Gupta MS, Varma DM, Nicoll SB. “Macromer Concentration Influences Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation and Associated Nucleus Pulposus-like Matrix Assembly in Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogels” Abstract for poster presentation #438, 7^th World Congress of Biomechanics. Boston, MA, July 2014.