Catalyst Students Showcase Cutting-Edge Biomedical Research at Catalyst Symposium

Gilmour Academy hosted its 46^th Catalyst Symposium on February 4, celebrating the depth of research and innovation pursued by the Fall Catalyst students. Over the past semester, Conor Tietjen ’26, Esther Dai ’26 and Charissa Baleskie ’26 partnered with research teams at CWRU and Cleveland State to tackle real-world challenges in biomedical science, cardiovascular disease and biomedical engineering. From investigating a life-threatening genetic disorder to improving regenerative therapies for muscle and nerve repair, their work exemplifies the immersive, rigorous, research-based learning at the heart of the Catalyst Program.

At the Symposium, each student delivered a presentation summarizing the work they did alongside their mentor over the course of the semester. Guests included parents, teachers, mentors and fellow students. 

Below are summaries of each of their projects:

Neonatal Marfan Syndrome (nMFS) is a severe, early-onset form of Marfan Syndrome, with a mortality rate of approximately 95% within the first year of life. It is caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene, which encodes fibrillin-1, a key structural protein in elastic fibers and connective tissue. These mutations lead to multisystem complications, with cardiovascular dysfunction being the primary cause of death. Conor Tietjen, working in Dr. Mead’s lab at Case Western Reserve University, validated a mouse model of nMFS to better understand disease progression and to establish a platform for testing potential therapeutic interventions.

Volumetric muscle loss occurs when traumatic or surgical injury results in the loss of large volumes of skeletal muscle that exceeds the body’s natural regenerative capacity, leading to severe functional impairment. Current treatment strategies combine cell-based therapies with engineered scaffolds to support muscle regeneration. Hydrogels, three-dimensional polymer networks, provide structural support for cell adhesion while promoting new tissue formation. Esther, working in Dr. Sikder’s lab at Cleveland State University, focused on optimizing polymer crosslinking to enhance scaffold structure and mechanical properties of the hydrogel.

Peripheral nerve injuries disrupt communication between the nervous system and the body by damaging Schwann cells, which are essential for nerve regeneration. Working with Dr. Uz’s team in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland State University, Charissa investigated an alternative approach of generating Schwann-like cells from mesenchymal stem cells using a three-dimensional graphene scaffold and electrical stimulation. This research aims to develop a platform for large scale production of Schwann cells needed for peripheral nerve injury repair.