Francesca Taraballi, Ph.D.
Director Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration
Associate Professor in Orthopedic Surgery
April Ewing, B.S.
Senior research assistant
April Ewing is a research assistant with her BS in Microbiology. She has spent the bulk of her career working in the veterinary medicine world, and her experience working with animals was invaluable transitioning to the ability to handle rodents in experimental studies. She spent two years in the Nanomedicine Department at the University of Texas- Health Science Center, where she helped to develop and apply the animal protocols employed in that lab. Now as the Senior Research Assistant in the Taraballi lab, she has a focus toward the administrative aspects to organize an efficient laboratory, training new students entering the field while continuing to support the team on the bench as well.
She also brings her environmental awareness to her day to day work life by supporting the Taraballi lab in becoming more sustainable in action. To that end, she is a Green Lab Ambassador, the Chair of the HMRI Sustainability Committee and is starting the Advanced Professional courses offered by MyGreenLab.
She has a passion for cooking, which led her to spend two years working in a professional kitchen. She also enjoys reading (especially Fantasy and Science Fiction), listening to a wide range of music and table top role playing games.
Chiara Mancino, PhD
Research Engineer I
Dr. Chiara Mancino, an accomplished Research Engineer I, leads the Encapsulation Core in Dr. Francesca Taraballi’s lab, bringing unparalleled expertise in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulation for therapeutic applications. Earning her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 2023, Dr. Mancino has quickly established herself as a crucial contributor to high-impact research initiatives, where her deep knowledge of LNP technology—especially in encapsulating mRNA and small molecules—plays a transformative role in both characterization and in vivo applications.
Dr. Mancino is highly regarded for her collaborative approach, working with multiple research teams across diverse projects ranging from tissue regeneration to pioneering cancer vaccine strategies. Her early career at Houston Methodist laid the groundwork in cardiac tissue engineering, where she demonstrated her adeptness in bionanotechnology. Transitioning her focus to nano-formulations, Dr. Mancino’s work in synthesizing liposomal-based solutions has yielded significant advances in therapeutic delivery.
Stefano Serpelloni, Ph.D.
Research Engineer I
Dr. Stefano Serpelloni earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 2024 and now serves as a research engineer in Dr. Francesca Taraballi’s lab. With a strong passion for innovation, Dr. Serpelloni specializes in translational projects to develop groundbreaking products for soft tissue repair. His expertise includes the design, fabrication, and characterization of biomedical devices.
Dr. Serpelloni first joined Dr. Taraballi’s lab as an exchange student while working on his master’s thesis, where he developed a Cartilage-On-Chip (CoC) model for studying degenerative osteoarthritis. His project highlighted the synthesis and characterization of a novel thermoresponsive hydrogel as a biocompatible substitute for the cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM). Following graduation, he was invited to continue his research on artificial ECM and enhance the CoC to simulate post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Outside the lab, Dr. Serpelloni is an avid sportsman, particularly enjoying soccer. He also spends his time producing music, reading, and pursuing various “engineering activities,” further reflecting his dedication to creativity and innovation.
Federica Banche Niclot, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral fellow
Dr. Federica Banche Niclot, a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Francesca Taraballi’s lab, stands out as an expert in musculoskeletal tissue engineering, renowned for her contributions to biomaterial innovation. Earning her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino in 2022, she brings exceptional skills in synthesizing and characterizing advanced injectable and implantable materials. Her deep understanding of stem cell and biomaterial interactions has established her as a leader in the lab’s regenerative initiatives, particularly in bone repair. Dr. Banche Niclot drives both rigorous preclinical studies and pioneering clinical applications of cell therapies as surgical adjuvants, advancing the field of musculoskeletal regeneration.
Known for her vibrant personality, Dr. Banche Niclot’s passion for pink and her unwavering support for Juventus add a dynamic touch to her scientific rigor. Her enthusiasm, both inside and outside the lab, makes her an inspiring and valued team member, embodying a balance of dedication and lively spirit.
Giulia Zaffaroni, BS
Ph.D. Student
Giulia Zaffaroni, a research assistant in Dr. Francesca Taraballi’s lab, began her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering in 2024. With a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Medicine and Society, Giulia brings both clinical and research perspectives to her work. After a year in the clinical field, she shifted her focus to research, particularly in regenerative orthopedics, with a strong interest in bridging her findings back to clinical practice. Her PhD focus is on injectable and implantable biomaterials designed for wound healing.
Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D.
Research Engineer
Dr. Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay earned his PhD from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati in 2024 and joined as a Research Engineer at Houston Methodist. As a Biomedical engineer, his expertise spans in material science, 3D printing and bioprinting, stem cells, and regenerative medicine. He is an enthusiastic researcher in the area of 3D printed tissue constructs using hydrogel blend biomaterial-inks, material modification and synthesis, and injectable hydrogels.
His doctoral research spearheaded development of natural polymer-based hydrogel compositions as inks for 3D printing patient-specific knee meniscus constructs and as injectable hydrogels for treatment of knee meniscus tears. Dr. Bandyopadhyay is passionate about providing healthcare solutions using principles of engineering and bridging the gap between the bench and bedside. Currently, Dr. Bandyopadhyay is working on developing 3D printed patient-specific devices for aiding in surgical remediation of soft tissue defects and breast tissue reconstruction in a collaborative team at Houston Methodist. He is involved in optimizing the design parameters, material selection, fabrication, and evaluation of the 3D printed implants that could be used for patients with both common and complex cases of soft tissue augmentation and reconstruction. Outside the lab, Dr. Bandyopadhyay is an amateur marathoner, an animal lover and enjoys photography.
Giorgio Marino, B.S.
Master Student
Giorgio Marino is a Biomedical Engineering student currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomechanics and Biomaterials at Politecnico di Milano. He is working on his thesis at Taraballi Lab, focusing on the study of biomaterials for bone regeneration. His academic interests are deeply rooted in advancing medical technologies and contributing to innovative solutions in the field of regenerative medicine. Passionate about nature and outdoor activities, Giorgio is an avid hiker and enjoys exploring the outdoors during his free time.
Joana Esteves, M.S.
PhD Student
Joana Esteves is a PhD student at Swansea University, in collaboration with the Taraballi Lab at Houston Methodist. Her research is focused on investigating therapeutic strategies to tackle ovarian cancer, with a specific emphasis on the role of extracellular vesicles in disease progression and therapeutic potential. Through her work, Joana aims to uncover new avenues for improving women’s health, particularly in the context of cancer therapies and fertility.
She holds an Msci in Medical Genetics from Swansea University. Joana is deeply committed to advancing medical research in the field of extracellular vesicles and women’s health. In addition to her academic pursuits, Joana is passionate about travelling, learning about different cultures, and trying new foods.
Bobby Dow, B.S.
Master Medical Student
Bobby Dow, a Graduate Research Fellow in Dr. Francesca Taraballi’s Lab, began his Doctorate of Medicine in 2021 at Texas A&M College of Medicine. Winning the prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Scholar Award, Bobby chose to pursue a Masters of Medical Science in addition to his doctorial studies. With the combination of his studies in both clinical medicine and translation medicine, he hopes to combine his expertise to bridge the gap between basic science research and clinical medicine. He has an interest in surgical innovation, cancer biology, regeneration and wound healing, as well as extreme physiologies and aerospace medicine. His Master’s focus is on creating a bioengineered model for osteosarcoma to better screen and predict the success of chemotherapeutics.
Yousef Tanas, M.D.
Post Doc Fellow
Yousef Tanas is a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Reconstructive Surgery, working under Dr. Spiegel and Dr. Taraballi. He focuses on plastic and reconstructive surgery research and has authored numerous publications in the fields of medicine and surgery, yielding over 1,000 citations. A recent graduate of Alexandria Medical School, Yousef achieved a top score in the 100th percentile on the USMLE Step 1 exam, reflecting his commitment to the medical field. He is currently involved in pioneering projects, including BioBreast and BioMesh, aimed at advancing reconstructive techniques. Outside of research, Yousef enjoys playing sports with his friends, particularly soccer and working out.