Brandon Mikulis

Trainee

University of Pittsburgh Seal

Brandon Mikulis

Faculty Mentor: Kimimasa Tobita

Update: 

Research:Mr. Mikulis is working to develop non-invasive / non- destructive imaging techniques to perform strain mapping of the soft tissue structures of the heart. Optical imaging techniques will be employed for in-vitro studies of tissue engineered, bio-prosthetic, as well as excised native valves. In-vivo work will utilize ultrasound to capture imaging data from the valve annulus. Both data types will be processed using correlative methods constrained by energy based models to produce a strain map throughout the cardiac cycle.

Publications:

  • B. Mikulis, C. Eckert, M. Barron, V. Friebe, N. Vyavahare, and M. Sacks. "On the Biomechanical Role of Glycosaminoglycans in the Aortic Heart Valve Leaflet.". Biomaterials2010( ): , 2010 
  • V. Friebe, B. Mikulis, S. Kole, C. Ruffing, M. Sacks, and N. Vyavahare. "Neomycin Enhances Glutaraldehyde Crosslinking and GAG Stability in Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Tissues.". Journal of Biomedical Materials99(2): 217-29, 2010 
  • C.E. Eckert, B. Mikulis (co-first author), D. Gottlieb, D. Gerneke, I. LeGrice, R. Padera, J. Mayer, F.J. Schoen, and M. S. Sacks. "Three-Dimensional Quantitative Micromorphology of Pre- and Post- Implanted Engineered Heart Valve Tissues.". Annals of Biomedical Engineering39(1): 205-22, 2011 
  • C. Eckert, B. Mikulis, D. Gerneke, B. Smaill, D. Gottlieb, J. Mayer, and M. Sacks.. "Three-Dimensional High Resolution Scaffold Architecture and Morphology in Engineered Heart Valve Tissue.". ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference2010( ): , 2010 
  • C. Eckert, B. Mikulis, D. Gerneke, I. LeGrice, D. Gottlieb, J. Mayer, M. Sacks.. "Three-Dimensional Structural Characterization of Tissue-Engineered and Native Ovine Pulmonary Valves.". 5th Biennial Meeting of the Society for Heart Valve Disease & Heart Valve Society of America2009( ): , 2009 
  • B. Mikulis, C.E. Eckert, V.M. Friebe, N.R. Vyavahare, M.S. Sacks. "Changes in Flexural Mechanical Behavior of Neomycin Treated GLUT Fixed Aortic Valve Tissue.". 2010 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting2010( ): , 2010 
  • B. Mikulis, C. Eckert, D. Gottlieb, J. Mayer, M. Sacks.. "3D Object Labeling for Quantitative Characterization of Tissue Engineered Valves.". 2009 BMES Annual Meeting2009( ): , 2009 
  • C. Eckert, B. Mikulis, D. Gerneke, I. LeGrice, D. Gottlieb, J. Mayer, M. Sacks. . "Tissue Engineered and Native Ovine Pulmonary Valves: A High Resolution Three-Dimensional Structural Characterization.". ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference2009( ): , 2009