Contact Info

Biography

Education:
Ph.D., Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, 2007
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Drexel University, 2003

Impactful Research Areas:
Health  
    Biomedical
Sustainability
    Sustainable Materials & Processes
Education
    Advancing Pedagogical Innovation

Research Expertise: 
Functional materials; Stem cell biology; Temperature-responsive hydrogels; Regenerative Medicine; Biofabrication; 3D bioprinting

Dr. Vernengo's research focuses on the intersection of functional biomaterials, stem cell biology, and tissue regeneration. Specifically, she investigates the development of temperature-responsive hydrogels to enhance mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) expansion and secretome production for applications in chronic wound healing and cancer treatment. Her work also explores bidirectional cellular communication, both between stem cells to improve the microorganization of engineered tissues, and between stem cells and tumors to better replicate microenvironmental interactions governing cancer progression. Through these efforts, Dr. Vernengo aims to advance cell-based regenerative therapies and deepen the understanding of cellular communication dynamics.

As the project director for Rowan REACTS, Dr. Vernengo also leads efforts to train PhD students, particularly from underrepresented groups, in chemical engineering and sustainability, with the goal of fostering a new generation of engineers and scientists who will develop innovative global solutions in sustainable healthcare, regenerative medicine, and energy.

Professional Memberships:
TERMIS (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society)
American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE)

Recent Publications:
Pylostomou, A., Wychowaniec, J., Tognato, R., Egger, S., Ursin, G., Edwards-Gayle, C., Weiser, J., Loca, D., Deste, M. and Serra, T., Vernengo, A., 2024. Harnessing Thermogel Actuation for Driving Directional Stromal Cell Communication and Migration into Columnar Arrays. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3827648/v1

Vernengo, A.J., Bumann, H., Kluser, N., Soubrier, A., Šećerović, A., Gewiess, J., Jansen, J.U., Neidlinger-Wilke, C., Wilke, H.J. and Grad, S., 2023. Chemonucleolysis combined with dynamic loading for inducing degeneration in bovine caudal intervertebral discs. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, p.1178938. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1178938

Kaneda, G., Chan, J.L., Castaneda, C.M., Papalamprou, A., Sheyn, J., Shelest, O., Huang, D., Kluser, N.*, Yu, V., Ignacio, G.C. and Gertych, A.,Vernengo, A., Sheyn, D., 2023. iPSC‐derived tenocytes seeded on microgrooved 3D printed scaffolds for Achilles tendon regeneration. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 41, p.2205-2220. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.25554

Panebianco, C.J., Dutta, P., Frost, J.R., Huang, A., Kim, O.S., Iatridis, J.C., Vernengo, A.J.Ϯ and Weiser, J.R., 2022. Teaching Tissue Repair Through an Inquiry-Based Learning Bioadhesives Module. Biomedical Engineering Education, pp.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-022-00087-y

Vernengo, A.J., Grad, S., Eglin, D., Alini, M. and Li, Z., 2020. Bioprinting tissue analogues with decellularized extracellular matrix bioink for regeneration and tissue models of cartilage and intervertebral discs. Advanced Functional Materials, 30(44), p.1909044. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201909044