Elisabeth Evans, who has an undergraduate degree in architecture from MIT, is working in the laboratory of Diane Hoffman-Kim in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology. Her thesis work is aimed at using biomaterials to improve the delivery of cells to promote repair of injury in the nervous system. Her work should inform the design of therapeutic biomaterial implants to treat many brain pathologies, including traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. Ms. Evans intends to continue this work ultimately in her own faculty position at a research university. She creatively interweaves her undergraduate training in architecture to engage in STEM outreach programs in the community, particularly in merging STEM and the arts (STEAM). At Brown, Elisabeth is active in several STEM and STEAM programs, geared toward inclusion of student populations that perceive science to be inaccessible. In collaboration with Professor Hoffman-Kim, Ms. Evans is working to develop a new course, Mixed Media: Learning from Engineers and Artists. The idea for the course is that students will develop modules for the high school students to learn about a facet of material properties through the process of making, with each module inspired by the work of a faculty member.
Graduate Student