Daniel Matera
PhD Candidate
Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan
dlmatera (at) umich (dot) edu
Hometown: Albany, New York
Education: BS in Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University at Buffalo, 2016
Research interests: As translating findings from the laboratory to the clinic can be challenging, the design of biomaterials which best mimic the native cellular microenvironment can help ensure pathological relevance. I am interested in designing and exploring such materials for fibrosis and cancer research. Additionally, I’m interested in exploring the intricate synergism between mechanotransduction, cytokine signaling, and the cellular phenotype.
Outside of lab interests: In my free time I enjoy hiking throughout the Michigan peninsulas, heading to nearby music concerts, and of course UM football. You can also frequently find me in downtown Ann Arbor either exploring the local bars or buying unreasonably priced coffee.
Awards and honors:
2021, Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship
2018, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
2017, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship
Publications:
Matera DL, DiLillo KM, Smith MR, Davidson CD, Parikh R, Said M, Wilke CA, Lombaert IM, Arnold KB, Moore BB, Baker BM. "Microengineered 3D pulmonary interstitial mimetics highlight a critical role for matrix degradation in myofibroblast differentiation," Science Advances, 2020, doi:10.1126/sciadv.abb5069.
Li X, Zhang W, Wang WY, Wu X, Li Y, Tan X, Matera DL, Baker BM, Paulus YM, Fan X, Wang X, "Optical coherence tomography and fluorescence microscopy dual-modality imaging for in vivo single-cell tracking with nanowire lasers," Biomedical Optics Express, 2020, doi:10.1364/BOE.395369.
Huber AK, Patel N, Pagani CA, Marini S, Padmanabhan K, Matera DL, Said M, Hwang C, Hsu GC, Poli AA, Strong AL, Visser ND, Greenstein JA, Nelson R, Li S, Longaker MT, Tang Y, Weiss SJ, Baker BM, James AW, Levi B, "Immobilization after injury alters extracellular matrix and stem cell fate," The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2020, doi:10.1172/JCI136142.
Davidson CD, Jayco DKP, Matera DL, DePalma SJ, Hiraki HL, Wang WY, Baker BM. "Myofibroblast activation in synthetic fibrous matrices composed of dextran vinyl sulfone," Acta Biomaterialia, 2020, doi:10.1013/j.actbio.2020.01.009.
Matera DL, Wang WY, Smith MR, Shikanov A, Baker BM. “Fiber density modulates cell spreading in 3D interstitial matrix mimetics,” ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2019, doi:10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00141
Abstracts:
Matera DL, Smith MR, Moore BB, Baker BM. "Matrix fibers promote myofibroblast activation and macrophage recruitment in a 3D stromal mimetic," BMES Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, October 16-19, 2019, podium.
Matera DL, Baker BM. “Fiber-reinforcement of hydrogels promotes cell spreading and migration in 3D,” Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, April 11-14, 2018, podium.
Matera DL, Wang WY, Smith MR, Baker BM. “Fiber-reinforcement of hydrogels promotes cell spreading and migration in 3D,” 8th World Congress in Biomechanics, Dublin, Ireland, July 8-12, 2018, podium.