Luiz E. Bertassoni, DDS PhD
Associate Professor
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, OHSU School of Dentistry
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, OHSU School of Medicine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU School of Medicine
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR), Knight Cancer Institute
Dr. Luiz E. Bertassoni is an Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University. He holds appointments at the Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics in the School of Dentistry, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research center (CEDAR) at the Knight Cancer Institute. Dr. Bertassoni graduated with a DDS degree from Catholic University in Brazil, obtained a PhD in Biomaterials from University of Sydney, and was a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF, and subsequently at Harvard Medical School and MIT's joint program in Health Sciences and Technology. Dr. Bertassoni leads a multidisciplinary research group working on various aspects of biomaterials and tissue engineering. His work has encompassed various aspects of micro-scale technologies and bioprinting for tissue regeneration; nanoscale structural and mechanical properties of mineralized tissues; and different aspects in the field of ‘organs-on-a-chip’. Luiz has published over 70 manuscripts, including research articles, reviews and book chapters. His worked has appeared in several high-impact journals, such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, and has been broadly covered by the media. He is a recipient of over 30 national and international research awards, including the state of Oregon (Richard Jones) New Investigator award, the IADR Centennial award, and the Silver Family Innovation award; all prestigious recognitions for his contributions in the field. He serves as a reviewer for over 55 peer reviewed international journals, an associate editor for 3 journals, and editorial board member for other 6 publications. Dr. Bertassoni is also a co-founder of 2 biotech spin-off companies, and his research has attracted over $10 million in research funding.
Associate Professor
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, OHSU School of Dentistry
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, OHSU School of Medicine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU School of Medicine
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR), Knight Cancer Institute
Dr. Luiz E. Bertassoni is an Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University. He holds appointments at the Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics in the School of Dentistry, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research center (CEDAR) at the Knight Cancer Institute. Dr. Bertassoni graduated with a DDS degree from Catholic University in Brazil, obtained a PhD in Biomaterials from University of Sydney, and was a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF, and subsequently at Harvard Medical School and MIT's joint program in Health Sciences and Technology. Dr. Bertassoni leads a multidisciplinary research group working on various aspects of biomaterials and tissue engineering. His work has encompassed various aspects of micro-scale technologies and bioprinting for tissue regeneration; nanoscale structural and mechanical properties of mineralized tissues; and different aspects in the field of ‘organs-on-a-chip’. Luiz has published over 70 manuscripts, including research articles, reviews and book chapters. His worked has appeared in several high-impact journals, such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, and has been broadly covered by the media. He is a recipient of over 30 national and international research awards, including the state of Oregon (Richard Jones) New Investigator award, the IADR Centennial award, and the Silver Family Innovation award; all prestigious recognitions for his contributions in the field. He serves as a reviewer for over 55 peer reviewed international journals, an associate editor for 3 journals, and editorial board member for other 6 publications. Dr. Bertassoni is also a co-founder of 2 biotech spin-off companies, and his research has attracted over $10 million in research funding.
Research Assistant Professors
Cristiane Miranda França, DDS, MS, PhD
Cristiane Miranda Franca is a dentist-scientist with a Ph.D. in Oral Pathology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. She is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, OHSU and is currently working on the development, optimization and application of an organ-on-a-chip device for dental research, the ‘Tooth-on-a-chip’. Moreover, Cristiane is also involved in dental pulp regeneration projects and 3D bioprinting studies to fabricate vascularized tissues for dental and craniofacial applications. Her previous work was focused on the modulation of immune cells in wound healing and macrophage polarization using different strategies as photobiomodulation and neuro-immune modulation. Passionate about how research can improve people’s lives, her goal is to combine her background in oral pathology with current training in microfluidics and tissue engineering to investigate translatable approaches for dental and craniofacial regeneration. Her major research interests include organs-on-a-chip, tissue engineering, angiogenesis, immune cell modulation, and wound healing.
Cristiane Miranda Franca is a dentist-scientist with a Ph.D. in Oral Pathology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. She is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, OHSU and is currently working on the development, optimization and application of an organ-on-a-chip device for dental research, the ‘Tooth-on-a-chip’. Moreover, Cristiane is also involved in dental pulp regeneration projects and 3D bioprinting studies to fabricate vascularized tissues for dental and craniofacial applications. Her previous work was focused on the modulation of immune cells in wound healing and macrophage polarization using different strategies as photobiomodulation and neuro-immune modulation. Passionate about how research can improve people’s lives, her goal is to combine her background in oral pathology with current training in microfluidics and tissue engineering to investigate translatable approaches for dental and craniofacial regeneration. Her major research interests include organs-on-a-chip, tissue engineering, angiogenesis, immune cell modulation, and wound healing.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Ramesh (Ramy) Subbiah, PhD
Dr. Subbiah has obtained Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences from KMCH College of pharmacy, affiliated Dr. MGR Medical University in Tamil Nadu, India. Dr. Subbiah was awarded with full-scholarship throughout MS and PhD programs in Biomedical Engineering respectively from Gachon University and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) South Korea. His research program is focused on mineralized microgels, growth factors delivery using nano/micro particles, tunable cell derived extracellular matrices and geometry integrated scaffolds for the regeneration of vascularized musculoskeletal tissues. His collective Ph.D. research has implications across a variety of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine field such as nanoparticles-in-microcapsules for dual growth factors delivery, investigation of cellular mechanics, fabrication of 3D scaffolds based on biopolymers, tough hydrogel for intervertebral disc replacement, fractal cut based 3D geometric scaffold for investigating the mechanism of wound healing. Prior to joining Bertassoni Lab, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Guldberg Musculoskeletal research laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Dr. Subbiah has obtained Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences from KMCH College of pharmacy, affiliated Dr. MGR Medical University in Tamil Nadu, India. Dr. Subbiah was awarded with full-scholarship throughout MS and PhD programs in Biomedical Engineering respectively from Gachon University and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) South Korea. His research program is focused on mineralized microgels, growth factors delivery using nano/micro particles, tunable cell derived extracellular matrices and geometry integrated scaffolds for the regeneration of vascularized musculoskeletal tissues. His collective Ph.D. research has implications across a variety of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine field such as nanoparticles-in-microcapsules for dual growth factors delivery, investigation of cellular mechanics, fabrication of 3D scaffolds based on biopolymers, tough hydrogel for intervertebral disc replacement, fractal cut based 3D geometric scaffold for investigating the mechanism of wound healing. Prior to joining Bertassoni Lab, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Guldberg Musculoskeletal research laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Rahul Madathiparambil Visalakshan, PhD
Dr. Rahul Madathiparambil Visalakshan holds a Ph.D. in Biomaterial Engineering and Nanomedicine from University of South Australia, Australia. He received his master’s in Biotechnology and Management from University of East London, United Kingdom. His Ph.D. was focused on biomaterial nano-surface engineering for controlling bio-interfacial interactions and immune response. After graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar on an industry funded project for the translation of an antimicrobial surfaces to the orthopedic implants at University of South Australia. Afterwards, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Curtin University on a project to develop a preclinical model for 3D bioprinting of skin. His research interest includes 3D bone tissue engineering, bioprinting, microfluidics, biofabrication, and organ-on-a-chip for tissue regeneration and disease models.
Dr. Rahul Madathiparambil Visalakshan holds a Ph.D. in Biomaterial Engineering and Nanomedicine from University of South Australia, Australia. He received his master’s in Biotechnology and Management from University of East London, United Kingdom. His Ph.D. was focused on biomaterial nano-surface engineering for controlling bio-interfacial interactions and immune response. After graduation, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar on an industry funded project for the translation of an antimicrobial surfaces to the orthopedic implants at University of South Australia. Afterwards, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Curtin University on a project to develop a preclinical model for 3D bioprinting of skin. His research interest includes 3D bone tissue engineering, bioprinting, microfluidics, biofabrication, and organ-on-a-chip for tissue regeneration and disease models.
Mauricio Gonçalves da Costa Sousa, DDS, MS, PhD
Mauricio Gonçalves da Costa Sousa is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Luiz Bertassoni laboratory at the School of Dentistry. He received his BSE in dentistry in 2014 at the Catholic University of Brasilia, a Master’s in health sciences in 2017 at the University of Brasilia, and a Ph.D. in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology at Catholic University of Brasilia. His graduate research focused on developing a new antibiofilm and immunomodulatory nanofibrous scaffold loaded with host defense peptides to regenerate the dental pulp tissue. His major interests include single cell printing, immunomodulation, host defense peptides, oral biology, cellular communication, organs on a chip and wound healing.
Mauricio Gonçalves da Costa Sousa is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Luiz Bertassoni laboratory at the School of Dentistry. He received his BSE in dentistry in 2014 at the Catholic University of Brasilia, a Master’s in health sciences in 2017 at the University of Brasilia, and a Ph.D. in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology at Catholic University of Brasilia. His graduate research focused on developing a new antibiofilm and immunomodulatory nanofibrous scaffold loaded with host defense peptides to regenerate the dental pulp tissue. His major interests include single cell printing, immunomodulation, host defense peptides, oral biology, cellular communication, organs on a chip and wound healing.
Graduate Students
Avathamsa Athirasala, BTech, MS
Avathamsa Athirasala graduated with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, India and completed a Masters program in the same from University of Pennsylvania in 2012. She is currently a graduate student in the Bertassoni Lab at Oregon Health and Science University. Her major research interests include mechanobiology of stem cell nuclei, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Avathamsa Athirasala graduated with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, India and completed a Masters program in the same from University of Pennsylvania in 2012. She is currently a graduate student in the Bertassoni Lab at Oregon Health and Science University. Her major research interests include mechanobiology of stem cell nuclei, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Haylie Helms, MS
Haylie Helms received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She then received a master’s in Human Anatomy from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Following graduation, Haylie managed the 3D Bioprinting Core Facility at the University of Minnesota, and served as the Panoskaltsis-Mortari lab manager, taught a graduate level 3D Bioprinting course, and led several independent research projects. She is now a student in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Oregon Health and Science University. Her major research interests include single cell printing, angiogenesis, stem cell biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering.
Haylie Helms received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She then received a master’s in Human Anatomy from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Following graduation, Haylie managed the 3D Bioprinting Core Facility at the University of Minnesota, and served as the Panoskaltsis-Mortari lab manager, taught a graduate level 3D Bioprinting course, and led several independent research projects. She is now a student in the Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Oregon Health and Science University. Her major research interests include single cell printing, angiogenesis, stem cell biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering.
Research Assistants
Anthony Tahayeri, BSc
Anthony Tahayeri graduated with a B.S. in Biological Engineering from Oregon State University. He is currently a senior research assistant in the Bertassoni lab located at Oregon Health Science University. His research interests include the development of manufacturing processes for biomaterial production and the development of biomedical devices as well as biomaterials.
Anthony Tahayeri graduated with a B.S. in Biological Engineering from Oregon State University. He is currently a senior research assistant in the Bertassoni lab located at Oregon Health Science University. His research interests include the development of manufacturing processes for biomaterial production and the development of biomedical devices as well as biomaterials.
Anissa Bartolome, MS
Anissa Bartolome graduated with a M.S. in Biology emphasized in Biotechnology from New Mexico State University in 2016. She has five years of experience working as a chairside dental assistant. In 2018, she joined OHSU School of Dentistry's Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics to study dental composite resins and their interaction with oral biofilm. She is currently a senior research assistant in the Bertassoni lab. Her research interests include the production of novel biomaterials, product testing, and product commercialization.
Anissa Bartolome graduated with a M.S. in Biology emphasized in Biotechnology from New Mexico State University in 2016. She has five years of experience working as a chairside dental assistant. In 2018, she joined OHSU School of Dentistry's Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics to study dental composite resins and their interaction with oral biofilm. She is currently a senior research assistant in the Bertassoni lab. Her research interests include the production of novel biomaterials, product testing, and product commercialization.
Visiting Scholars
Maria Elisa Quezado Lima Verde, DDS, MS
Maria Elisa Quezado Lima Verde obtained her DDS and MS degrees in Federal University of Ceara, Brazil, in which she is a current PhD student with an emphasis in Stomatology and Oral Pathology, as well as a collaborator of laboratory activities in Drug Research and Development Center. In Brazil, Maria Elisa is also a dentist in a private dental clinic, a professor and member of the board of directors of Christus University Center School of Dentistry. Her main areas of expertise in Clinical Dentistry are Oral Stomatology and Implantology. Her main previous research activities include subjects such as medication-related osteonecrosis, wound healing and bone regeneration. She joined the Bertassoni Lab at the Oregon Health and Science University in January 2022, as a visiting scholar. Her major research interests include tissue engineering, wound healing, tissue regeneration and biomaterials.
Maria Elisa Quezado Lima Verde obtained her DDS and MS degrees in Federal University of Ceara, Brazil, in which she is a current PhD student with an emphasis in Stomatology and Oral Pathology, as well as a collaborator of laboratory activities in Drug Research and Development Center. In Brazil, Maria Elisa is also a dentist in a private dental clinic, a professor and member of the board of directors of Christus University Center School of Dentistry. Her main areas of expertise in Clinical Dentistry are Oral Stomatology and Implantology. Her main previous research activities include subjects such as medication-related osteonecrosis, wound healing and bone regeneration. She joined the Bertassoni Lab at the Oregon Health and Science University in January 2022, as a visiting scholar. Her major research interests include tissue engineering, wound healing, tissue regeneration and biomaterials.
Alumni
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES & POSTDOCS
GRADUATE STUDENTS - VISITING
INTERNS & UNDERGRADUATES
VISITING SCIENTISTS
- Amin Mansoorifar, PhD
- S. Prakash Parthiban, PhD
- Nelson Monteiro, PhD
- Greeshma Thrivikraman, PhD
GRADUATE STUDENTS - VISITING
- Gabriela de Souza Balbinot, DDS, MS
- Diana Cunha, DDS, MS
- Sivaporn Horsophonphong
- Christina Hipfinger
INTERNS & UNDERGRADUATES
- Katherine Ouda
- Jonathan Nguyen
- Albena Zahariev
- Ian Anderson
- Wenting He
- Ashley Sercia
VISITING SCIENTISTS
- Prof. Laurie B. Gauwer
- Prof. Grigoriy Sereda, PhD
