College of Engineering Biomedical Engineering Department

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Reza Amin, Ph.D. — BME Fall 2024 Seminar Series

Dr. Reza Amin, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO
Bastion Health

Thursday February 13, 2025 11am-12pm PWEB 150

Abstract: The landscape of men’s healthcare is evolving, with telehealth playing a critical role in bridging access gaps, improving outcomes, and reducing costs. However, to drive real transformation, telehealth must align with the Quintuple Aim—enhancing patient engagement, clinician satisfaction, cost efficiency, population health, and health equity. Many men delay seeking care due to cultural norms, time constraints, and privacy concerns, making personalized, convenient, and AI-driven healthcare solutions essential. This talk will explore how digital health innovations, including wearable integrations, at-home diagnostics, and proactive engagement strategies, can improve men’s healthcare accessibility and outcomes. By leveraging technology to create efficient, patient-centered solutions, we can redefine how men engage with their health, ultimately fostering better preventive care and long-term well-being.

Biography: Reza Amin, Ph.D., is a visionary entrepreneur and innovator in Healthtech, known for founding Bastion Health, the first specialty digital clinic for male employee health. With a background spanning Electronics, Mechanical, and Biomedical Engineering, Reza holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Eng. in Global Entrepreneurship from University of Connecticut. His expertise in medical diagnostics and telehealth has led to pioneering solutions in men’s reproductive and prostate health, collaborating with major enterprises like Samsung and RadNet. Previously, he co-founded Encapsulate, a cancer precision diagnostic venture partnered with NASA and the International Space Station. Recognized among the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Connecticut (2022) and Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty, Reza actively contributes to the Forbes Business Council and McKinsey’s Global HealthTech CEO Roundtables. From the inception of his ventures in 2018, Reza’s initiatives have garnered substantial traction and raised over $10.5M.

Download flyer here

For additional information, please contact Dr. Sina Shahbazmohamadi or Darcy Richard

Venkatakrishna R. Jala, Ph.D. — BME Spring 2025 Seminar Series

Microbiota in tissue engineering and targeted delivery of microbial metabolites

Dr. Venkatakrishna R. Jala, Ph.D.
Associate Professor,
Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
UofL-Brown Cancer Center; Member, Immuno-Oncology Program
University of Louisville

Thursday March 6, 2025 11am-12pm PWEB 150

Abstract: Trillions of microbes reside in the gastrointestinal tract (gut microbiota), playing a crucial role in human health and influencing the risk of various diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and depression. These microbes generate a diverse array of metabolites from dietary components, which significantly impact host health and physiological functions. In this seminar, I will explore the impact of gut microbiota and their metabolites on tissue engineering and the potential benefits of inflammation-targeted delivery of microbial metabolites for mitigating IBD. I will also discuss potential mechanisms of metabolites in regulating unwarranted inflammation during chronic inflammatory disorders.
Current IBD treatments primarily rely on systemic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs or biologics, such as anti-TNF-α antibodies. However, these therapies often suffer from limited efficacy due to patient unresponsiveness and adverse side effects. To address these challenges, we have developed inflammation-targeting nanoparticles (ITNPs) using biopolymers derived from the gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium) plant. These ITNPs enable selective drug delivery to inflamed regions, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Oral administration of ITNPs loaded with urolithin A (UroA), a microbial metabolite, or its synthetic analogue UAS03, significantly reduces colitis induced by chemicals and immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical models. In conclusion, ITNPs represent a promising strategy for delivering UroA or its analogues, improving therapeutic efficacy at lower doses and reduced dosing frequency compared to free drug administration. This targeted approach offers a potential breakthrough in IBD treatment while minimizing systemic side effects.

Biography: Dr. Venkatakrishna R. Jala, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Louisville, as well as a member of the UofL-Brown Cancer Center and the Center for Microbiomics, Inflammation, and Pathogenicity in Louisville, KY, USA. He earned his Ph.D. in 2002 from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
Dr. Jala’s research focuses on the regulation of inflammation, gut microbiota, and microbial metabolites, particularly their roles in maintaining gut barrier function. His laboratory investigates how microbial metabolites influence gut barrier integrity and contribute to the development of diseases such as colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Dr. Jala’s group also focuses on inflammation-targeted delivery of microbial metabolites using nanoparticles to target IBD. His ongoing research is supported by funding from the NIH, JHFEREG, and Artus Therapeutics.

Download flyer here

For additional information, please contact Dr. Sina Shahbazmohamadi or Darcy Richard