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Our Team

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Isabell Esslinger

Berlin, Germany

Coordinator

My research is about impact factors on the thrombogenicity of surfaces for blood-bearing medical devices, especially the surface charge/zetapotential. I joined the yESAO team last year (2022) after participating two times and enyoing it a lot!

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Tom Bode

Hannover, Germany

Coordinator

My dissertation deals with surface functionalisation of cochlear implants using electrospun superhydrophobic drug-releasing surfaces and SLIPS systems to avoid unwanted connective tissue overgrowth. During the yESAO I am looking after our new members in the Buddy Programme.

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Andreas Escher

Boston, USA

Core Team

My research focuses on the development and preclinical testing of rotodynamic blood pumps as well as the study of Fontan physiology. Together with Jana Korte I was coordinating the yESAO 2022/23 and I am beyond excited to see you all at the upcoming conferences!

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Estela Sánchez

Valencia, Spain

Core Team

The main aim of my PhD is the design of new 3D liver in vitro models based on hydrogels and hepatic cell culture. These models can be used in a variety of strategies: disease modelling, drug screening or personalised medicine. This is my second year being part of the yESAO core team. In 2022 I attended yESAO and it has been one of my best experiences during my PhD!

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Flutura Hima

Aachen, Germany

Core Team

My work focuses on the evaluation of possible perfusion routes of a future artificial lung and on the development of new techniques and devices that could enable a minimally invasive connection. I joined yESAO CoreTeam recently, I am very excited to meet you in Bergamo and to support all the participants through buddy program, workshops and social activities. Thoracic Surgery, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Germany.

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Gesine Hentschel

Hanover, Germany

Core Team

My research topic is the development of artificial blood substiutes with adaptable mechanical and rheological properties. I joined the CoreTeam in 2022 and I take care of our new webinar series and the pitch session.

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Jana Korte

Magdeburg, Germany

Core Team

My work is all about patient-specific numerical simulations and their optimization, leading to an as realistic as possible hemodynamic analysis. I was coordinating the yESAO 2022/23 together with Andreas Escher and looking forward to meeting you all at the upcoming conferences!

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Lasse Strudthoff

Aachen, Germany

Core Team

Nobody really understands hemostasis and thrombosis in it’s full extent, and I am certainly no exception. But I am trying to find workarounds at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen to create artificial lung and heart support without this issue, to allow for long term support for critical patients

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Maria Rocchi

Leuven, Belgium

Core Team

The aim of my PhD project is to develop an in silico - in vitro cardiovascular simulator implementing 3D anatomical models for medical device testing. My mission as a yESAO CoreTeam member is to boost your networking skills while having fun! Cardiovascular Sciences- Cardiac Surgery Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

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Mario Diedrich

Aachen, Germany

Core Team

I'm working in the development of blood pumps. During my PhD, I focused on the physiological control of a total artificial heart system. I'm a member of the yESAO core team since 2019 and I'm looking forward to meet at the next yESAO.

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Marlene Schadow

Aachen, Germany

Core Team

My field of expertise is platelet activation in dynamic in vitro tests. My research aim is a systematic study of the interaction between platelets and surface topographies concerning reducing platelet adhesion on artifical matierials. I am happy to welcome the yESAO in Aachen this year!

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Michela Sanguedolce

Cosenza, Italy

Core Team

My research concerns manufacturing techniques applied to Titanium alloys and Magnesium alloys for bone-contacting implants. I am really happy to give my contribution within the Buddy Program, workshops and social activities of the yESAO Congress 2023!

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Nicolas Rivoallan

Compiègne, France

Core Team

My thesis is to recreate the junctions Bone-tendon-Muscle thanks to tissue engineering. Concerning the yESAO you will see me for the communication part or the pitch session!

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Tim Bierewirtz

Berlin, Germany

Core Team

My research is about the development of a Total Artificial Heart, where I focus on the mechanical design, in-vitro testing and physiologic control. I joined the yESAO team in 2020 and strongly enjoy the scientific and personal interaction of encouraged scientists.

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Sophia Krakowski

Berlin, Germany

Core Team

My research is about the improvement of an in vivo cell probe for the isolation of circulating tumor cells. This includes the development of test stands, fluorescence microscopy, blood experiments and cell-repellent nanostructuring. The yESAO in Bergamo motivated me to join the Core Team in 2024.

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Vera Froese

Berlin, Germany

Core Team

My research is about the analysis of hemolysis in blood contacting medical devices. I study hemolysis under various shear conditions and am developing a transparent and traceable blood model with equal rheological behavior as human blood. I joined the yESAO in 2020 and I am very grateful for the scientific exchange and a lot of fun with this team.