Byung-Wook Park, Ph.D.

Byung-Wook Park, PhD is an Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering in the Rayen School of Engineering. He is also a graduate faculty member in the Materials Science and Engineering at YSU. He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo in 2012. He then completed his postdoctoral fellow in the Bioengineering Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and subsequently in the Physical Intelligence Department at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Park joined YSU as an Assistant Professor in 2018. His research focuses on developing biohybrid material platforms, engineered living materials, multifunctional stimuli-responsive hydrogels, and wearable bioelectronic platforms for treating diseases such as bacterial infections, chronic wounds, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Pari (Prakriti) Dhungana, Ph.D. Student in Materials Science and Engineering

Pari is currently developing the biohybrid material platforms for treating various diseases. Specifically, she has engineered the bacteria to produce living therapeutics as biotic component and synthesized nanoparticles as abiotic component. Previously, she completed her Master’s thesis on the stimuli-responsive hydrogel for advancing the wound treatment. Her current project is supported by a Graduate Fellowship from Materials Science and Engineering program at YSU. When not in lab, Prakriti enjoys reading books walking, visiting gardens and art museums.

Emmanuel Antwi, M.S. Student in Chemical Engineering

Emmanuel’s research focuses on developing a bioelectronic platform using enzymatic biofuel cells with the goal of advancing innovative biomedical applications. He uses a laser induced graphene electrode to create an innovative wearable device. Outside of lab, he enjoys exploring nature, visiting museums, and going hiking, which help him stay curious and inspired.

Collin Richards, Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering

Collin is designing flexible microelectrodes used for targeted thermal therapy. He is developing new nanocomposite materials and applying advanced electrochemical methodologies. His project is currently supported by the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Undergraduate Scholarship program.

Karl Kain, Undergraduate Student in Mechanical Engineering

Karl’s research focuses on the development of gastrointestinal in-vitro models to study biohybrid microrobots for targeted drug delivery. His work is currently supported by the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Undergraduate Scholarship program, and he is also a recipient of the Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship program. Outside of the lab, Karl competes as a Division I decathlete on the YSU track and field team and enjoys climbing, biking, and other outdoor activities.

Natalie Dando, Undergraduate Student in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics

Natalie’s research focuses on the growth of bacteria within hydrogel to be used in the development of engineered biohybrid therapeutics for the treatment of skin diseases. Her research is currently supported by the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Undergraduate Scholarship program. Also, she is a student member of the YSU Board of Trustees. Outside of lab, Natalie enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her two dogs.