People
Updated: Feb. 13, 2024
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Principle Investigator
Mike Averkiou Professor of Bioengineering
Mike Averkiou develops new ultrasound imaging and therapy technology for cancer and heart disease. Using advanced nonlinear imaging techniques and microbubble contrast agents, he develops ways to image the microcirculation in order to detect the earliest stages of tumor angiogenesis and atherosclerosis, and closely monitor their treatment. He also uses the unique properties of ultrasound and microbubbles to improve the delivery of drugs into cancer cells. He focuses on transferring innovations from preclinical research into clinical use. Mike earned his undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Previously he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the UW Applied Physics Laboratory, at Philips Medical Systems, and most recently at the University of Cyprus, where he was an associate professor and director of the Biomedical Ultrasound Laboratory.
- Email: maverk@uw.edu
- Phone: (206) 616-9558
- Office: Foege N530Q
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Graduate Students
Connor Krolak PhD Candidate
Connor joined the Bioengineering PhD program at UW and Averkiou lab in 2020. He graduated from Vanderbilt University, with BE degrees in both Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. His current work is focused on quantification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vascular dynamics and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery and therapy. Other than research, Connor enjoys cooking, running, writing and playing music, and most importantly - eating!
- Email: krolakc@uw.edu
Lance De Koninck PhD Candidate
Lance graduated from Virginia Tech in 2020 with a BS degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics as well as minors in Physics and Mathematics. He then joined the bioengineering PhD program at the University of Washington that same year. Since joining the Averkiou lab, Lance has been studying microbubble-enhanced high intensity focused ultrasound for thermal ablation in our unique machine perfused porcine liver model. He is also investigating bubble dynamics, and predicting the nonlinear response when exposed to various acoustic settings. Outside of the lab, Lance can be found biking and/or driving around the Pacific Northwest, or running around the park with his dog.
- Email:lancedek@uw.edu
Sherry Gu MAB Student
Sherry is a student in the Master of Applied Bioengineering program, and came to UW after graduating with a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Alberta. She is interested in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery for cancer and its potential applications for treatment in low-resource settings. Her master's project also focuses on developing a low-cost, quantitative method to assess the functionality of ultrasound transducers. On days that she isn't doing school work, she enjoys volunteering at animal rescues, rewatching her favourite shows, and eating noodles.
- Email: shgu@uw.edu
Gerald Lee Rotating PhD Candidate
Gerald is a first year Bioengineering Ph.D. student at UW Seattle, with interests in ultrasound-applied modalities and medical imaging. He graduated from UC Irvine, with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a specialization in Biophotonics. His work during his rotation includes animal handling, cell culture work, supporting many projects throughout the lab. Gerald spends his spare time playing and making music on acoustic guitar and piano, playing video/board/card games, or attempting to recreate his mother's cooking.
- Email: gerald13@uw.edu
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Current Research Scientists
Kaleb Vuong Research Scientist
Kaleb was a student in the class of 2022 at the University of Washington majoring in Bioengineering and completed his master's degree at the University of Washington in Bioengineering through the BS/MS program in 2023 with the Averkiou Lab. Currently, he is learning about High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), which is currently used for thermal tissue ablation and targeted drug delivery. He is researching the effects that different materials have on HIFU heating outcomes. In addition to research, he is part of the UW Bioengineers without Borders' (BWB) Capnography team where he works with a group of undergraduates to develop a portable, low-cost capnograph for use in low resource hospital settings. In his free time, he enjoys baking, gardening, and volunteering at animal shelters.
- Email:kalebv@uw.edu
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Current Undergraduate Research Assistants
Angela Wei
Angela is a junior undergraduate student at UW working towards a double degree in Bioengineering and Math. She is interested in imaging methods, computational analysis, and modeling. She plans to pursue a career in translational research. Outside of academics, she plays violin for the UW Campus Philharmonia Orchestra (CPO), loves to knit mathematical objects, read gothic classics and sci-fi, and figure skate.
- Email: awei9@uw.edu
Harry Shin
Harry is a junior undergraduate student at University of Washington, majoring in Bioengineering. He is interested in ultrasound contrast agents and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree in the related medical field. In his spare time, he enjoys going to gym, playing soccer, cooking, and playing the guitar.
- Email: seong200@uw.edu
Kai Schroeder
Kai is a senior bioengineering student at UW that is excited to learn more about ultrasound applications in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas, considering ultrasound as an accessible and safe method of imaging the body. In terms of future plans, Kai is interested in going into medical device development and ultrasound engineering, and hopes to acquire relevant skills while at the lab. Outside the lab, Kai enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading comic books, and sewing plushies.
- Email: kayaschr@uw.edu
Hanna Michaelis
Hanna is a junior pursuing a degree in bioengineering and a minor in Applied Mathematics. She is interested in cancer therapeutics and drug delivery systems related to ultrasound. She plans to pursue a career that helps expand medical accessibility into developing countries. Outside of research and school, Hanna loves to spend time outside rock climbing, hiking with her dog, and kite surfing. She also loves to read, knit, and play board games with friends.
- Email: hrm02@uw.edu
Chelsea Hu
Chelsea is a sophomore at the University of Washington in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program studying Bioengineering. She is interested in the cancer therapy applications of ultrasound as well as the imaging and computational analysis components. She plans on pursuing a career in biomedical research or the medical field. In addition to research, Chelsea also likes to run, bake/try out new recipes, read, go to concerts and spend time with friends and family, including her dog Ginger.
- Email: chelse11@uw.edu
Sophia Dahl
Sophia is a freshman undergraduate student at the University of Washington pursuing a degree in Bioengineering. She is interested in cancer therapeutics and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery, and plans to pursue a career in medical research. Outside of school and research, you’ll find her running, camping, backpacking, reading, playing the piano, or spending time with her family.
- Email: sdahl27@uw.edu
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Other Research Assistants
Max Siauw
Max is a senior high school student at Lakeside School. He is currently applying computer science to the quantitative analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma ultrasound data. Overall, he is fascinated by the intersection between health and technology and thus hopes to pursue a career in either medicine or biotechnology. Whenever he's free, he can be found speed-cubing, taking photos on his trusty DSLR, or watching crime dramas on Netflix with his two brothers.
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Lab Alumni
Former Postdoctoral Fellows
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Former PhD Students & Research Scientists
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Former Students & Research Assistants
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Maria Alejandra Cuevas
Jordan Vogel