People
Principal Investigator
Roseanne M. Ford
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Roseanne M. Ford is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Delaware and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, both in chemical engineering.
Current Graduate Students
Sanha Kim
Ph.D. Candidate (Joined 2020)
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Hometown: Blacksburg, VA
Sanha is from Blacksburg, Virginia situated near the Virginia Tech campus. A major research interest that he has scaffolded over his education is exploring system variables, both large and small, that drive complex disease conditions. Here in the Ford Lab, his project focuses on the pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their dense community organization during respiratory infections. Specifically, his investigation aims to bridge how the infection external environment and the microorganism’s intrinsic metabolism both contribute P. aeruginosa growth and spatial expansion in porous media conditions similar to lung mucus. Other interests of Sanha's include engineering education research and exploring Virginia wineries.
Samuel Doak
Graduate Research Assistant (Joined 2023)
B.S. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2023
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Sam has always been fascinated with the function of biomolecular machines, and wants to learn to engineer them to treat diseases. His work involves measuring gene expression in an in vitro P. aeruginosa infection model with the goal of identifying potential intervention targets for the development of future treatments.
Priyanka Mathur
Graduate Research Assistant (Joined 2024)
B.S. Chemical & Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024
Hometown: Henrico, VA
Gavin Estrella
Graduate Research Assistant (Joined 2024)
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2024
Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Current Undergraduate Students
Eliza Mills
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Chemical Engineering (fourth-year)
Chelsey Ojeda-San Juan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Civil Engineering (third-year)
Hometown: Amelia, VA
Chelsey is a civil engineer undergrad working on a research project that explores microbial calcification using fungi to transport motile bacteria, aiming to create a self-healing mechanism for existing concrete infrastructure. This interdisciplinary project bridges civil and chemical engineering, aligning with her commitment to advancing concrete longevity—a critical issue in civil engineering. While much current research focuses on new concrete materials, she aims to find sustainable solutions for preserving and extending the lifespan of our existing structures.
Madhuri Sosale
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Biomedical Engineering (second-year)
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Madhuri joined the lab to gain experience in biological research. She has learned about cell processes in her classes and is excited to gain more hands-on experience while learning about biology from a new perspective.
Ford Group Alumni
Beibei Gao, PhD
Graduate Research Assistant, 2017 - 2022
Previous education: B.S. in Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum.
Dissertation title: Multiscale modeling and experimental approaches to link macroscopic and microscopic bacterial chemotaxis.
Interests outside of the lab: hiking, tennis, snowboarding.
Tracy Kuper, PhD
Graduate Research Assistant, 2018 - 2024
Previous education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Research topic: Nanocarrier delivery of cell-signaling agents for biofilm control; Multi-scale computational model of bacteria infections in lung mucus.
Interests outside of the lab: hiking, ultimate frisbee, reading.