Andrea Hafeman (expects to obtain her Ph.D. in 2009)

Research area: Chemical engineering, bioengineering. I am working on injectable bone scaffolds for use in bone defects such as fractures from trauma, surgery or and osteoporosis. These scaffolds are biocompatible and biodegradable and contain various growth factors to promote bone healing. The patient's own bone cells grow into the scaffold, after which the scaffold biodegrades to leave only the healed bone.

Undergraduate degree from: Princeton University

Outside interests/activities: Tennis and dance

Why Vanderbilt: I chose Vanderbilt because I was very interested in the research of Professor Scott Guelcher on the development of polymeric biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

Likes best about Vanderbilt Engineering: I really like the interdisciplinary cooperation between various engineering departments as well as with other science departments and the medical school. The opportunity to use the resources and collaborate with the faculty has been invaluable.