Heather Cirka, PhD Student

Hometown: Manchester, NH  

Previous degrees/school where the degree was earned: BS, Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  

Why did you choose WPI for your PhD?
I liked the close-knit community feel, with a strong BME department. There are lots of interesting opportunities here, such as my fellowship. I also really like New England and have family in the area.  

What area(s) of research are you currently exploring?
Cell mechanobiology; basically, how cells sense and respond to the mechanical cues of their environment, like stiffness and stretch.

In which professors laboratory are you currently working?
Professor Billiar