About Us
Henak Lab members have diverse backgrounds and scientific expertise. This diversity allows us to work together to creatively address questions within our three research themes.
Open Position: A postdoctoral position developing a therapeutic screening platform based on redox balance is available. This NIH-funded project will develop optical redox imaging as a tool to diagnose cartilage disease, screen therapeutics, and evaluate disease stage arthroscopically. The post-doc will be part of a multi-disciplinary team including engineers, optics experts, clinicians and cell biologists.
A candidate with a PhD in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering or a similar field, with experience in tissue mechanics and fluorescent imaging is preferred.
Applications for the position should include a CV, cover letter stating research background and interests, and contact information for three professional references. Please email applications to Corinne Henak (chenak at wisc dot edu).
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Principal Investigator
Corinne Henak (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Mech Engg Dept Video)
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Denver, 2008
Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Utah, 2013
Post-doc in Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, 2013-2015
Corinne joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison in 2015.
Corinne is from Colorado and got hooked on coffee as a graduate student in Utah. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two sons and daughter; preferably far from any cell phone towers!
Post Doc
Soroush Irandoust (Google Scholar, LinkedIn)
B.S. in Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 2012
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 2014
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 2020
Soroush is originally from Tehran, Iran, and moved to Massachusetts for graduate school. During his time at Northeastern University, he worked on computational modeling of bone healing and remodeling around dental implants.
Soroush joined University of Wisconsin-Madison in September 2021 as a post-doctoral research associate, working with Corinne Henak in Mechanical Engineering and Peter Muir in Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine. The long-term goal of his research project at UW-Madison is to reduce life-threatening injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses by diagnosing incipient condylar stress fracture of the fetlock.
Outside of work, Soroush enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, and cycling.
Graduate Students
Zachary Alesch
B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 2018-2022
Zack grew up in the Madison area and is now a third year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. He has experience in biomaterials and tissue engineering, and is now studying cartilage mechanics and modeling. One day, Zack hopes to develop diagnostics and therapies for soft-tissue wounds and diseases like osteoarthritis.
Outside of the lab, Zack enjoys board games, fishing, and playing the oboe.
Brandon Chelstrom
Max Kanakkanatt
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University, 2018-2023
Max is a second-year master’s student originally from Delafield, Wisconsin. His work will focus on cartilage mechanics and property classification. Outside of the lab Max enjoys backpacking and traveling to new places.
Kyobeom Ku
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 2021-2023
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, 2014-2021
Kyobeom is a second year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering from Incheon, South Korea.
Outside of the school, Kyobeom enjoys traveling, workout, and bouldering.
Alexandria Thao
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison, 2019-2023
Alex is an M.S. student in Mechanical Engineering. She is now studying cartilage mechanics, specifically frictional behavior. Post-graduate school, she aims to work in design work with orthopedic implants.
Outside of research and studies, Alex enjoys painting and digital illustration.
Jingyi Wang
Market Research Intern in Adelphi FocusRx, China, 2020-2021
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 2018-2020
B.E. in Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, China, 2014-2018
Jingyi is from Shanxi, China and is a fourth year PhD student. She focused on human knee osteoarthritis (OA) during her Masters.
Jingyi’s PhD research is focused on cartilage redox balance.
Outside of school, Jingyi enjoys swimming, skiing and traveling.
Xin Wei
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, UW-Madison, 2022-2023
B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Wuhan University of Tech, 2018-2022
Xin is a first-year Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering from Wuhan, China. He is now focusing on the nonlinear surface wave in soft materials.
Outside of the lab, Xin enjoys basketball and workout. He is trying to learn skiing and climbing.
Chenhao Yu
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 2019-2021
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Saint Louis University, 2014-2018
Chenhao is a first year PhD student from Shanghai, China. He works as a research assistant in an Orthopedics Lab before joining the team. His work will focus on cartilage optical redox imaging.
Outside of lab and school, Chenhao enjoys playing tennis and cooking.
Research Interns
Undergraduate Students
Will Martin
Will Martin is a senior in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in biomechanics.
Outside of his studies, Will can be found playing drums with his band in Milwaukee. Looking forward, Will is looking to pursue a Master’s degree in BME.
Greta Scheidt
Greta is a sophomore from Columbia, Missouri studying Biomedical Engineering with a certificate in International Engineering. Her Sophomore Research Fellowship project is focused on investigating the effect of pretreatment in an antioxidant on the levels of metabolic processes in articular cartilage following traumatic loading. On a larger scale, this project has a goal of leading to preventative treatments for post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Outside of academics, Greta enjoys running, hiking, biking, and spending time outside. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and Engineers Without Borders.
Sophie Speece
Sophie Speece is a sophomore in Biomedical Engineering on the biomechanics track. She participates in activities with the Biomedical Engineering Society and the UW Madison Wind Ensemble. She is double majoring in Music Performance and enjoys playing harp. Outside of school Sophie enjoys arts and crafts as well as biking. She is yet undecided about pursuing a Master’s degree or heading right into industry.
Alumni
Dipul Chawla (LinkedIn), PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023. Currently: Reliability Engineer at Apple.
Riley Norman, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023. Currently: Epic Systems.
Elijah McCoy, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023. Currently: Engineer at JP Cullen.
Jason Soukup, PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022. Currently: faculty in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison.
Josephine Hall, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022. Currently: rotation engineer at Medtronic.
Rikin Soni, former research intern.
Ashley Pernsteiner, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022, currently: O2 engineer at 3M.
Katie Kern, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022, currently: R&D engineer I at Medtronic.
Amanda Kemper, BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021, currently: Prosthetics-Orthotics student at Northwestern University.
Jack Fahy, MS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021, currently: associate quality engineer at Medline.
Josh Shelley, MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021, currently: mechanics/biomechanics consultant at S-E-A.
Charlie Hower, BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021, currently: med student at Emory University.
Alexey Minaev, BS in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020, currently: PPD.
Shannon K. Walsh, PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2020, currently: Congressional Liaison and Life Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Guebum Han, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019, currently: Structural Analyst (Mechanical Engineer), Intel Corporation.
Jin Wook Hwang, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019, currently: asset management.
Alex Teague, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019, currently: medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine.
Jared Muench, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018, Research Intern 2018-2019, currently: medical student at Medical College of Wisconsin.
Jacob Andreae, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018, currently: biomedical electronics technician, Mary Greeley Medical Center.
Kelly Vazquez, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018, currently: post-doc at CU-Boulder.
Matthew Grondin, Thesis M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2018, currently: PhD student at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Danielle Redinbaugh, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2017, currently: Project Engineer at Nortech.
Trenton Roeber, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2017, currently: advanced quality engineer at Styker.