Designing a Reproducible Endothelialized Channel in a 3D Hydrogel to Model Cerebral Cavernomas in Vitro; Mapping the Nonhuman Delegates of Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence in Virginia

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with disproportionately high mortality in low-income communities due to systemic barriers. My capstone research explores this issue through two interconnected components: a technical investigation into the biology of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), and a sociotechnical analysis of the nonhuman actors that shape CVD disparities in Virginia. The technical component aimed to design a reproducible in vitro model of cerebral microvasculature to study how mechanical and genetic factors contribute to CCM progression. Using a Norbornene-modified Hyaluronic Acid (NorHA) hydrogel, we fabricated a 3D perfusable channel system mimicking brain tissue stiffness. Rheological testing confirmed that a 2% NorHA formulation closely approximated the target viscoelastic properties of brain tissue. However, cell adhesion trials revealed that bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) adhered more readily to a stiffer 3% hydrogel, suggesting a tradeoff between physiological mimicry and cell compatibility. Fluorescent dye (FITC-dextran) assays were used to visualize solute diffusion, validating the model’s permeability function, although limitations in imaging and calibration prevented precise quantification. These findings establish a foundation for future iterations that could incorporate genetic knockdown of CCM-related genes and enable dynamic flow studies under shear stress. The sociotechnical research employed Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to map how infrastructural, geographic, and economic actors influence CVD outcomes across Virginia. By analyzing county-level data on poverty, food insecurity, insurance coverage, and CVD mortality, I identified how gaps in infrastructure contribute to health disparities. For example, counties like Buchanan experience significantly higher CVD mortality due to weak translation of policy into lived, networked conditions.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Technical Advisor: Brian Helmke

STS Advisor: Rider Foley

Technical Team Members: Zoe Leak