originally published by Central Christian School, Kidron, Ohio
Brady Woods, Class of 2020, is a senior at Goshen College majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with a Chemistry minor. This summer, he is participating in the Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The ATP-Bio REU is a 10-week research internship in which students do cutting-edge research to help “stop biological time” and radically extend the ability to bank and transport cells, aquatic embryos, tissue, skin, whole organs, microphysiological systems (“organs-on-a-chip”), and even whole organisms through a team approach to build advanced biopreservation technologies. ATP-Bio REU students are advised by a faculty member and mentored by a graduate student. The students are part of a greater research community and are involved in activities to advance both their scientific knowledge and understanding of a career in STEM.
Every student has a project of their own contributing as a cohort to cultivate new cryopreservation knowledge. They will participate in professional development opportunities such as learning how to give an effective scientific talk and discussing research ethics.
Brady will work under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Healy at the University of California-Berkeley in Berkeley, California, where he will work on Isochoric Cryopreservation of hiPSCs Derived Cardiac Microphysiological Systems (MPS). For a more detailed description of Brady’s project or other ATP-Bio projects, visit: https://www.atp-bio-education.org/atp-bio-reu-projects-2023.
At the conclusion of the experience, he will present his research to the Center’s faculty, staff, students, trainees, and other stakeholders in a virtual REU Research Symposium.
Brady said, “Central’s STEM program prepared me for future studies and gave me a passion for discovery, research, and service to others.” Brady is the son of Christal Woods (4th Grade Teacher) and Mark “Woody” Woods (Varsity Cross Country Coach and Sociology Instructor).
