Dr. Maribel Vazquez is a distinguished professor and leading researcher in biomedical engineering with groundbreaking contributions to microfluidic systems for nervous system applications. She currently serves as Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University, where she leads a research laboratory focused on developing innovative biomedical solutions for neurological repair and regeneration. Dr. Vazquez earned her Doctor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2001, following her Master's degree from the same institution in 1996, and her undergraduate degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University in 1992. Prior to her position at Rutgers, she held faculty appointments at the City College of New York, where she was instrumental in co-founding the Department of Biomedical Engineering and establishing herself as an expert in cellular bioengineering.
Dr. Vazquez's research program integrates the design of sophisticated biomedical engineering systems with mechanistic biology and clinical translation, creating a unique interdisciplinary approach to nervous system repair. Her laboratory has pioneered the development of microfluidic systems that are precisely scaled to mimic the retina and other neural structures, enabling detailed study of how chemical, mechanical, and electrical fields influence cell migration and communication during transplantation procedures. This work has direct applications for vision recovery through photoreceptor transplantation and peripheral nerve repair via Schwann cell delivery, with devices designed at sub-millimeter scales that replicate the intricate dimensions of human neural tissues. Her research has been consistently funded by prestigious agencies including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Defense, reflecting the significance and potential impact of her translational approaches to addressing neurological disorders.
Beyond her laboratory research, Dr. Vazquez has made significant contributions to addressing health disparities through innovative educational initiatives that bridge engineering with community health challenges. Her leadership extends to major research projects including the REU Site: Cellular Bioengineering program, which trains undergraduate students in cutting-edge techniques from biomaterials to stem cells, and the development of glial-endothelial models to examine collective regulation of transport across the retina. As a principal investigator with ORCID ID 0000-0002-6184-3103, she continues to advance the field through collaborative projects that integrate cell motility, neural progenitor biology, and neuromuscular junction studies toward clinical translation. Dr. Vazquez remains actively engaged in shaping the future of biomedical engineering through her commitment to both technological innovation and addressing the profound diversity of health challenges faced by American adults.
