Helping to foster the new generation of biomedical students who can make a difference in human-centered research.
CCS Intern, Syama Patel, and Fellow, Mikalah Singer had a virtual
“sit-down” with Dr. Kristen O’Halloran Cardinal from California Polytechnic
State University. Dr. O’Halloran Cardinal holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical
Engineering from the University of Arizona where her research focused on
tissue engineered blood vessels and intravascular device evaluation.
Kristen’s research lab at Cal Poly works primarily with undergraduate and
master’s students. The lab typically includes around 10-15 students,
providing great hands-on experience to those early in their scientific
careers.
During the Q and A, CCS was able to take a deep dive into the new emerging
research at Cal Poly for alternatives to animal testing and learn how
students can get involved in the innovative research.
Q: Why did you decide to pursue tissue engineering research? How did you get
to where you are now?
A: I was able to explore many labs and schools as I went on recruiting trips
to find the right fit for grad school. All the labs were very different and
ranged from computational research to biomaterials work. I decided on the
University of Arizona because they were researching lab grown tissues and I
loved the uniqueness of the project. I felt lucky when I found this work
since I was interested in working with the cardiovascular system. It matched
with my overall vision.
I initially envisioned myself going into industry research and wanted to
pursue a Ph.D. As the end of my Ph.D. program approached, I found out that
Cal Poly started a new biomedical engineering program. I decided to apply
and found my current job. In addition to being able to do the teaching that
I love, Cal Poly allowed me to have my own research lab, plus the university
itself has a good relationship with the industry side of biomedical
research. It was the best of both worlds.
Q: What are the differences between testing on engineered tissue versus
testing on animals?
A: I started my work approximately 20 years ago when I started grad school,
and the lab I joined did a variety of industry-based lab testing that is
more applied and focused on consistent models and very controlled
experiments. Plus collaborating with industry allowed me to understand their
perspective on product development and the different pathways taken, so I
was exposed to this type of testing alongside working on tissue engineering
in the lab. My advisor had the idea that perhaps we could grow tissues for
testing devices and treatments rather than just using them for clinical
applications. In other words, in addition to the potential future goal of
using engineered tissues for skin grafting and implantation, these tissues
could also serve as model systems on the preclinical side of things. I was
able to have my own project focused on tissue engineering research, trying
to translate the tissue engineering approaches to uses for device testing.
When you tissue engineer a model for testing, you can be very controlled and
consistent in what you create – although it’s difficult to capture all the
complexity of a physiologic system. The tissue engineered models are also
easier in terms of infrastructure– no animal facilities or complex imaging
equipment is needed. All you need is a cell culture facility.
Q: Will engineered models replace animal models?
A: These newer models will not completely replace animal models for a long
time due to regulatory agencies, the comfort levels of scientists, and our
underlying understanding and simplicity of the models. However, there is a
slow-moving progression towards using less animals for research and starting
to develop and use more engineered models.
Q; What career opportunities are available for students interested in
pursuing this type of research?
A: There are a variety of routes students interested in this research can
take. One is to create or work with pre-clinical models in industry —such as
working for medical device companies.
Another route is a little more broad. Once you start to do this type of
research you have a greater understanding of diseases, physiology and
treatments, which can increase the different directions you can take. You
can possibly go into Research and Development work or a clinical job because
you are able to understand how these devices function and their effects on
the human body.
Q: What do you find to be most impactful about your research?
A: I think the most impactful part of my research has been seeing people in
industry start to talk about using my models for getting information on
their devices, before their animal studies. That is the direction we want
this work to go. I also think my research is impactful on the students that
I work with – I love teaching students these techniques, working
collaboratively on the research, and seeing the impact it has on students’
careers and trajectories.
Q: What should interested students study if they want to work in a lab like
yours?
A: Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field. Different backgrounds
can include mechanical engineering, materials engineering, biology,
chemistry, or other core engineering or life science disciplines. There are
so many things a student can study that would allow them to do this type of
work.
Q: What is the most significant change needed to make research and models
more human-centered?
A: We need more data in order to convince others and ourselves that these
models are effective. There has to be more comparisons between
human-centered models and the “gold standard” animal models. Currently, the
comfort levels lean towards animal models. Devices or therapies that have
been tested in animals could be repeated in these new tissue models to
determine if there are predictive outcomes. The main point is we need to
show that these methods are actually useful.
Q: What do you enjoy most about Cal Poly and the opportunities available to
you and the students at the school?
A: I love my job and the multitude of opportunities working at Cal Poly. The
university is really good at prioritizing undergraduate and masters’
students and providing a hands-on education. This allows me to work with
younger students and provide the initial training and projects before
sending them off to the real world. This is distinct from working with a
larger Ph.D. program since those students are already more advanced in their
career. The younger students at Cal Poly also have the advantage of becoming
leaders in the lab, as there are no Ph.D. students at Cal Poly.
Additionally, Cal Poly’s industry connections are strong, which allows
students to have practical hands-on education including conversations about
intellectual property and confidentiality. They can have a glimpse of what
it is like working in the real world, which is valuable for students who are
directly entering the job market after college.
Q: What do you think is the best way to convince students to work on
alternative research methods to animal testing?
A: In my experience, there is not much convincing needed for students. Many
students would love to make a difference in this way. The goal is to let the
students know what you are working on and offer opportunities where they can
choose how they can be impactful. Students can also be educated on the
options and the scientific efficiency of the alternative technologies.
Q: Any overall advice for high school students who want to go to college for
this type of research?
A: High school students can try doing literature searches for research they
are interested in as well as focusing on selecting undergrad/master’s
programs that allow them the best chance to participate in this research.
Each new generation gets savvier and is prepared to take on these new
opportunities.
Thank you, Dr. Kristen O’Halloran Cardinal, for taking to time to speak with
us and for helping to foster the new generation of biomedical students who
can make a difference in human-centered research!
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