Kayla Rudeen
PhD
Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: May 2021
Illinois Institute of Technology
PhD
Biomedical Engineering
Expected Graduation Date: May 2021
Illinois Institute of Technology
If you were at WE19, you may have seen Kayla Rudeen’s poster in the Collegiate Competition!
Kayla has been a member of SWE since 2013 when she became involved with her undergraduate section at Michigan State. This past year, she began working with the WE Local host committee. She is currently serving on the Collegiate Competition sub-committee for Salt Lake City and hopes to continue helping with WE Local in the future.
Kayla’s academic work has been recognized and awarded both within SWE as well as through other organizations. She was a finalist for the SWE Collegiate Competition at WE19. Kayla was also a recipient of the ARVO-Knights of Templar Eye Foundation Travel Grant Recipient in 2019 which recognizes young researchers that have contributed significantly to ophthalmology research.
Thesis Topic: Controlled and Extended Release of Aflibercept and Dexamethasone from A Single Microparticle-Hydrogel Drug Delivery System
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population. Current treatment includes repeated intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Some patients do not respond to this treatment, but do respond to a combination treatment with corticosteroids. Kayla works on a drug delivery system which uses micro- and nano-particle embedded in a thermoresponsive hydrogel to release aflibercept and dexamethasone continuously for six months. This drug delivery system has also been adapted for ocular infection and degenerative disc disease.
After completing her PhD, Kayla hopes to conduct clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry to help develop drugs for orphan diseases. Outside of the lab, Kayla loves to do art projects, hike, and travel.
Fun Fact: Kayla’s great-great uncle played major league baseball with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
Instagram: @kayla_rudeen
Kayla has been a member of SWE since 2013 when she became involved with her undergraduate section at Michigan State. This past year, she began working with the WE Local host committee. She is currently serving on the Collegiate Competition sub-committee for Salt Lake City and hopes to continue helping with WE Local in the future.
Kayla’s academic work has been recognized and awarded both within SWE as well as through other organizations. She was a finalist for the SWE Collegiate Competition at WE19. Kayla was also a recipient of the ARVO-Knights of Templar Eye Foundation Travel Grant Recipient in 2019 which recognizes young researchers that have contributed significantly to ophthalmology research.
Thesis Topic: Controlled and Extended Release of Aflibercept and Dexamethasone from A Single Microparticle-Hydrogel Drug Delivery System
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population. Current treatment includes repeated intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Some patients do not respond to this treatment, but do respond to a combination treatment with corticosteroids. Kayla works on a drug delivery system which uses micro- and nano-particle embedded in a thermoresponsive hydrogel to release aflibercept and dexamethasone continuously for six months. This drug delivery system has also been adapted for ocular infection and degenerative disc disease.
After completing her PhD, Kayla hopes to conduct clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry to help develop drugs for orphan diseases. Outside of the lab, Kayla loves to do art projects, hike, and travel.
Fun Fact: Kayla’s great-great uncle played major league baseball with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!
Instagram: @kayla_rudeen
