The position will seek to address the aims of a currently funded NIH R01 and is available immediately in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In this proposal, we focus on the crucial role of epicardial-myocardial signaling in cardiac morphogenesis and seek to elucidate the signals that drive these interactions. During development, the epicardium modulates cardiomyocyte (CM) behavior through biochemical signals and the contribution of multiple supporting cell types to the heart. Epicardial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote ventricular compaction via induction of CM proliferation, and in vitro evidence suggests a role for epicardial-derived cells (EPDCs), especially cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), in promoting the structural and functional maturation of CMs. We hypothesize that these processes occur, in part, through the secretion of growth factors (GFs) and matricellular proteins by EPCs as well as the deposition of critical and evolving extracellular matrix (ECM) cues by EPDCs. Here we propose to probe these interactions in 3D and identify crucial signaling components that alter human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) behavior. We will then, for the first time, incorporate a functional epicardial layer into a human, chambered cardiac muscle pump (hChaMP) model to achieve native pressure-volume dynamics. 

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or relevant fields including but not limited to Stem Cell Biology, Quantitative Biology, Mechanical Engineering and Molecular Biology
• Demonstrated track record with first author publications in established societal or field-leading journals and other indicators of productive research
• Successful candidates will be able to independently develop scientific hypotheses based on data and literature and then design experiments to test
• Successful candidates will have excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Successful candidates will be able to work collaboratively and mentor junior level trainees