Dr. Shiwarski is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Bioengineering and the Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. He obtained a combined undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in cell biology and biochemistry, a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon University and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, and completed a Postdoctoral fellowship in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in cellular biomechanics and tissue engineering.

See Full Bio @ DanielShiwarski

Dr. Naomi Abbasi is a postdoctoral associate at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a Ph.D. in Medical Science from Griffith University and has extensive expertise in 3D-printed biomaterial scaffolds, stem cells, and both in vitro and in vivo cellular studies. Her research focuses on developing innovative scaffold compositions for mechanotransduction studies, particularly in the context of pulmonary hypertension. Currently, her work centers on optimizing endothelial and smooth muscle cell co-culture conditions on Collagen and GelMA scaffolds to study gene expression changes under dynamic and static conditions. Dr. Abbasi has successfully led projects on stem cell-derived therapies and tissue regeneration, contributing to academic publications and international conferences, and has a proven track record of successful project management.

Brian Coffin is a bioengineer specializing in biomaterials, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. His research advances 3D bioprinting, extracellular matrix scaffolds, and organ-on-chip systems to better replicate tissue complexity and improve models of cardiovascular and renal disease. He collaborates widely across engineering, biology, and medicine, contributing to high-impact publications and presentations at national and international conferences. Dedicated to mentorship, he trains students in cutting-edge biofabrication and fosters interdisciplinary teamwork. His long-term goal is to translate innovative bioengineering technologies into therapeutic strategies that enhance patient outcomes and transform standards of care.

Dr. Tashman is an anatomic pathology resident at the combined Massachussett’s General Brigham pathology residency (2023-2026). He completed his MD/PhD at the University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon Medical Scientist Training Program. During his doctoral studies at Carnegie Mellon he worked extensively with Dr. Shiwarski to publish on topics including advanced microscopy tools, open source bioprinting hardware, and cutting edge bioprinting techniques. His current interests outside of bioprinting include digital pathology, cytopathology, machine learning assistive tools for pathology, and open-source pathology microscopy tools. He continues to work with Dr. Shiwarski on hardware development and the advancement of bioprinting technologies.