JOEL PILLI

Highly motivated Biomedical Sciences student with a robust research background in biomaterials, particularly antibacterial scaffolds for orthopedic and dental applications. First and co-author of multiple peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals. Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology, cell culture, and advanced materials characterization. Proven leadership through student governance and international cultural organizations. Passionate about translational biomedical research bridging materials science and regenerative medicine. Seeking to contribute to cutting-edge research in a PhD program in Biomedical Engineering.

• Biomaterials
• Antibacterial Scaffolds
• Tissue Engineering
• Drug Delivery
• Cell-Material Interactions
• Regenerative Medicine

• Student Research Symposium, New Mexico Tech, Oral presentation, Antibacterial properties of doped hydroxyapatite loaded with tannic acid.
• Rio Grande Symposium on Advanced Materials, Poster presentation, Biomaterial scaffolds for orthopedic and dental applications.

• Tannic Acid-Loaded MgO and ZnO-Doped Antibacterial Hydroxyapatite for Orthopedic and Dental Applications, JOM, 2024, 76, 5703-5712, 10.1007/s11837-024-06789-8, Co-First Author, Achieved ~98% S. aureus antibacterial efficacy; confirmed cytocompatibility with NIH3T3 cells.
• Manganese Dioxide and Cobalt Oxide Doped Hydroxyapatite with Curcumin for Orthopedic and Dental Applications, Journal of Materials Research, Accepted, First Author, Developed MnO2/CoO doped scaffold with curcumin; ~94% antibacterial efficacy; biocompatible with NIH3T3.
• Tannic Acid-Loaded Zirconia-Doped Antibacterial Hydroxyapatite for Dental Applications, Crystals, Accepted, Second Author, Characterized crystallinity and morphology; strong antibacterial activity and in vitro performance.
• Polydopamine-based Surface Modifications for Tissue Engineering and Biosensing, JOM, Accepted, Third Author, Reviewed 17 years of research; explored PDA applications in biosensing and regenerative medicine.

• Justice, Student Government Association, New Mexico Tech, 01/24, 12/24, Participated in funding allocation and policy review; engaged in campus-wide initiatives.
• President, Indian Association, New Mexico Tech, 01/23, 05/23, Directed cultural programs such as Bollywood Night and Holi Festival, promoting intercultural engagement.

Research Assistant, Materials and Life Sciences Department, New Mexico Tech, 01/24, Present, Co-author on multiple peer-reviewed publications, including review and original research articles., Designed and executed in vitro antibacterial and cell culture experiments using doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds., Mentored junior researchers in cell culture, aseptic techniques, and materials synthesis., Utilized analytical tools (FTIR, FESEM, XRD) for scaffold characterization and validation.