Lab Members
Graduate Students
Vishal Thomas
Education
M.S. Engineering, Mechanics of Solids Group, Brown University
I grew up in Kerala, India and completed my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Karunya University with a concentration in Thermal Engineering. Prior to graduation, I spent a semester abroad at the University of Tours, France working with Dr. N. Ranganathan on fatigue fracture analysis of titanium alloys that were used in the fabrication of aircraft wings. Soon after, I joined the Mechanics of Solids group at Brown University where, as a Master’s student, I was involved in Finite Element Analysis and understanding the mechanics of strain induced fractures in composite materials. Post-graduation, I enjoyed a two-year stint in the startup community in Louisville, KY where I co-founded and built up a medical device company geared towards developing customized 3D printed wrist implants. After a successful exit, I joined Clemson University as a Ph.D. student in Bioengineering. At present, I am a member of the Ortho-X Lab where I am working on developing a plug to help treat critical sized osteochondral defects in the knee. I enjoy conversing with people, doing Crossfit style workouts, biking and church.
Chris Theos
Education
B.S. Bioengineering, Clemson University 2016
I am from Bel Air, MD and graduated with a B.S. in Bioengineering from Clemson University in 2016. After graduation, I worked for Siemens Healthineers as a biochemist for a couple years in their R&D department. I decided to return to Clemson University to pursue my Ph.D. in Bioengineering in 2019 while working in the OrthO-X laboratory. I love following Clemson sports and am very excited for what the next few years have in store for me! Go Tigers!
Andrea Vera Martinez
Education
B.S. Bioengineering, Clemson University
I am from Hanahan, SC and recently graduated from Clemson with a Bioengineering degree concentrated in Biomaterials. I love to travel and was able to study abroad to Bangkok, Thailand to do tissue engineering research. I also have experience in rehabilitation research for stroke patients and have clinical shadowing experience in neurosurgery and plastic/reconstructive surgery. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioengineering while in the Ortho-X lab. In the future, I hope to stay and work in the healthcare industry.
Mario Krussig
Education
B.S. Bioengineering, Clemson University
I am from Inman, South Carolina, and am currently pursuing a graduate degree in Bioengineering while continuing my research as a member of the Ortho-X lab. Outside of school I enjoy hiking and am active on Clemson’s competitive Waterski Team.
Kyle Cannon
Education
B.S. Bioengineering, Clemson University
I am from Irmo, SC and completed my bachelor’s degree in bioengineering at Clemson. After graduation I worked at the NIH in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science under Dr. Lakatta. I worked on studying the conduction pathway of cardiac pacemaker cells in the hopes to better understand the electrical signaling of the heart and thus cardiac arrhythmias in general. Once I decided to pursue a PhD I knew exactly where I wanted to go, Clemson, but did not know what lab. After talking with Dr. Mercuri, and the OrthO-X lab, I had found my home within my home! I love everything Clemson and spend a lot of my time going to every and all sporting events. I also enjoy being active with my two dogs.
Anna Lee Travis
Education
B.A. Biological Sciences, Clemson University
M.S. Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina
DPT, Medical University of South Carolina
I am a native of Clemson and also an alumna, so Clemson has always been my home. After graduating from MUSC with my DPT degree, I spent several years practicing physical therapy in various settings before deciding to pursue teaching biology at the college level full-time.There have been several life events that have led me back to Clemson and to the PhD program in Bioengineering, where I am focusing my efforts on biologic therapies promoting regeneration in injured and dystrophic skeletal muscle. It is difficult to fully capture my excitement at being able to be a part of the Ortho-X group, and I have already learned so much. In my spare time, I enjoy finding adventures with my family, national park hopping, scuba diving, yoga and listening to music that is as varied as my interests.
Mehrzad Namiranian
Education
B.S. Bioengineering, Clemson University
I am from Myrtle Beach, SC and completed my bachelor’s degree in bioengineering at Clemson. I am currently pursuing a M.S. degree at Clemson in the OrthO-X lab where I am working on further developing an in-house intervertebral disc organoid to study the effects of microgravity on astronauts and resulting disc herniations post space flight. When I am not doing research I enjoy weightlifting, meditating, and cooking.
Undergraduate Lab Members
A'nna Kelly
My name is A'nna Kelly and I am a junior bioengineering major, concentration biomaterials. Fall 2020 will be my fourth semester with the lab and am currently working with others to publish a literature review centralized around topics investigated by the lab. I am excited to continue working in this lab and to all the discoveries yet to come!
Lindsay Hannah
I am from Greenville, South Carolina, and I am currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Bioengineering with a concentration in Biomaterials. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend dental school where I can pursue my passion for dentistry. In my free time, I love to be outdoors hiking or running with friends, or playing with my dog.
Steven Wallace
Hey everybody! My name is Steven Wallace, and I am a Junior Bioengineering major that hopes to pursue an MD PhD in the future. I absolutely love getting to work in OrthoX because of the atmosphere of collaboration and challenge. I look forward to all the ways I can contribute to the field of healthcare, and I am confident that we are doing a great deal here.
Noah Wright
I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Bioengineering with a concentration in Biomaterials. I intend to stay at Clemson after graduation for the Masters of Engineering program. My time in the Ortho-X lab has directed me towards my future career path where I would like to work with the research and design of tissue biomaterials.
Emily Sawvell
I am from Chapin, South Carolina and I'm a senior Bioengineering major with a concentration in biomaterials. I began working in Dr. Mercuri's Ortho-X Lab as a co-op student at CUBEInC and I plan to continue doing tissue engineering and biologics research as I begin the pursuit of a masters degree in Bioengineering at Clemson. Outside of the lab I enjoy watching Netflix, playing tennis, and baking desserts for my family.
