Andrew Brown, PhD
Assistant Director, Commercial Translation Programs
Leads all projects for sciVelo’s initiatives in Cell Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Regenerative Medicine areas to facilitate commercial translational outcomes.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Periodontics and Preventative Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Research focus on the development of new medical devices for dental bone grafting.
Education & Experience
Andrew is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics and Preventative Medicine and at the Center for Craniofacial Regeneration (CCR) in the School of Dental Medicine. His research focuses on the development of new medical devices for dental bone grafting. As a result of his projects at the CCR, Andrew has become very interested in medical device development, translational research and entrepreneurship. Andrew also works part-time as a biomedical engineer with the UPMC Artificial Heart Program caring for patients on ventricular assist devices and artificial heart pumps at UPMC Presbyterian and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He has additional experience in orthopedic biomechanics and medical simulation through undergraduate research at the Musculoskeletal Research Center and Winter Institute for Simulation, Education and Research. Andrew was also a Patient Safety Fellow with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation applying Lean principles to hospital pharmacy workflow improvements. In his spare time he can be found running, swimming or traveling.
Education
PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2016
BS, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
Research Experience
Graduate Research, Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, University of Pittsburgh
Advisor: Charles Sfeir, DDS, PhD
- Brown AJ, Zaky SH, Ray HL, Sfeir CS. Magnesium/PLGA Composite Scaffolds for Enhanced Bone Regeneration following Tooth Extraction. Acta Biomaterialia 11: 543-553, 2015.
- Yoshizawa S, Brown AJ, Barchowsky AB, Sfeir C. Magnesium ion stimulation of bone marrow stromal cells leads to enhanced osteogenic activity. Acta Biomaterialia 10(6): 2834-2842.
Undergraduate Research, Musculoskeletal Research Center, University of Pittsburgh
Advisor: Richard Debski, PhD
- Brown AJ, Voycheck CA, McMahon PJ, Debski RE. Effects of external rotation on anteroposterior translations in the shoulder: a pilot study. Clinical Orthopedic and Related Research. Epub, 10 December 2013.
- Rainis CA, Brown AJ, McMahon PJ, Debski RE. Effects of simulated injury on the anteroinferior glenohumeral capsule. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing 50(12): 1299-1307, 2012.
Commercial Translation Experience
Translation Experience
Undergraduate Senior Design Project
Winter Institute for Simulation, Education and Research – University of Pittsburgh – Advisor: Joseph Samosky, PhD
Graduate Research
Developed magnesium/polymer biomaterial platform for initial uses in dental bone grafting
- Awarded $250,000 in research and commercialization funding from:
- Coulter Translational Research Partners at Pitt
- National Science Foundation I-Corps
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine – Commonwealth of Pennsyvlania
- Center for Medical Innovation Pilot Award
- Innovation Works – Technology Commercialization Consortium
- Innovation Institute Second Gear Award
- Benchtop to Bedside Award
Commercialization Experience
Filed four invention disclosures at various stages of patent protection
- Sfeir C, Brown A; University of Pittsburgh-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, assignee. Magnesium composite-containing scaffolds to enhance tissue regeneration. US 15/124,093. 19 Jan 2017.
- Sfeir C, Chaya A, Brown A, Yoshizawa S; University of Pittsburgh-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, assignee. Magnesium enhanced/induced bone formation. WO2016033312 A1. 3 Mar 2016.
Biomedical Engineer – Artificial Heart Program – UPMC