Leah Dickey

I am a PhD student at Carnegie Mellon University in the Biomedical Engineering Department. Prior to entering the PhD program at CMU, I studied Pharmaceutics and earned a Master's degree from Duquesne University's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019.

Current Projects

Apply statistical modeling methods to investigate potential relationships between design parameters of DNA origami nanostructures and their therapeutic outcomes.

Previous Experience

(1) Student Research Assistant -- Carnegie Mellon University, Biomedical Engineering Department (Aug 2022 - Aug 2023)

Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Wayne

Description: Utilize Design of Experiments and an in vitro wall shear stress modeling system to evaluate the effects of shear stress, nanoparticle size and stiffness on nanoparticle endocytosis and monocyte activation, assessed by flow cytometry, protein and gene expression.

Skills: cell culture, HPLC, quantitative PCR, Design of Experiments, in vitro cellular protein extraction, rheology, flow cytometry, Dynamic Light Scattering.

(2) Student Research Assistant -- Duquesne University, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Sept 2018 - Aug 2022)

Advisor: Dr. Jelena Janjic

Master's Thesis: Quality By Design Based Optimization of Anti-Inflammatory Nanoemulgels for Local Treatment of Burn Wounds

Description: Apply Quality by Design (QbD) approach to formulate and manufacture novel nanoemulgels and study their colloidal stability, viscoelastic properties, drug content and release profiles, pharmacological activity, and in vitro cellular uptake and toxicity on RAW macrophage cells. This work was completed in efforts to develop ideal platforms for wound healing and immunomodulation.

Skills: High shear homogenization, planetary mixing, Dynamic Light Scattering, rheology, Near-infrared imaging, cell culture, HPLC, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Design of Experiments, Quality by Design.

(3) Undergraduate Intern -- Magee-Women's Research Institute (April - July 2016)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Lisa Rohan

Description: Characterize polymer blend formulations and study dissolution profiles of thin-films in development as extended-release, HIV-preventative vaginal films.

Skills: Rheology, osmolality, UV/Vis spectroscopy, solvent casting, water content analysis, texture analysis, USP4 dissolution.

Publications

  • Dasia Aldarondo, Chris Huynh, Leah Dickey, Colette Bilynsky, Yerim Lee, and Elizabeth C. Wayne. "Loss of ACE2 expression in monocytes increases nanoparticle endocytosis under shear flow conditions." 2023. (In Revision).

Scholarships and Awards

  • National GEM Consortium Fellowship Recipient, 2022

Presentations

Posters
  • Shannon Loftus, Leah Dickey, Lu Sherlock Liu, and Jelena Janjic. "Quality assessment and optimization of nanoemulgels for local inflammation treatment." Poster presented at McGowan Institute's Scientific Retreat. McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine: Pittsburgh, PA. March 2019.
Oral
  • Leah Dickey, Sheila Grab, and Lisa Rohan. "Developing a one-week HIV preventative film." 2016 College Student Internship Program Presentation Day. Magee-Women's Research Institute: Pittsburgh, PA. June 2016.

Contact Information

  • Please contact me by email: leahd@andrew.cmu.edu