2024-2026 Fellows
DeVaughn Rucker, MSc
DeVaughn Rucker graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (Mechanical Engineering) and a second major in Finance. He earned his MSc in mechanical engineering at the University of the West of England in 2022. He is a current PhD student in biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. His initial project as a CVISE fellow will involve testing, modeling, and refinement of an innovative new catheter system, the MultiFlex Catheter, which changes stiffness by the removal of saline from a space between two concentric catheters. DeVaughn will master the group’s current techniques to predict herniation, including image analysis and engineering analysis, and master the group’s techniques for producing prototypes.
Michelle Connor, MD
Michelle is a Neurosurgery resident at Barnes Jewish Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis. She studied Neuroscience and Economics as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University, followed by medical school at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. Throughout her education, she has demonstrated academic productivity, graduating with Honors in Neuroscience for her work studying the effects of altering serotonin transporter and receptor activity in a mouse model of autism, and was awarded the Dean’s Research Scholarship to evaluate the neuroinflammatory effects of air pollution exposure and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in a mouse model. She is pursuing a career in cerebrovascular neurosurgery with the goal of becoming a leading neurosurgeon-scientist leveraging translational and clinical projects that advance the field through innovative technologies and device development. The opportunities and collaborative mentorship provided through the CVISE fellowship will allow her to expand her technical knowledge outside neurosurgery and embrace a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. With her past research experiences, insight into patient care, and interest in innovation, she is uniquely positioned to use this opportunity to develop and evaluate interventions that can be impactful in her field.
Maxwell Braasch, MD, MPH
Maxwell Craig Braasch was born in Edina, Minnesota and later moved to Kansas where he completed undergraduate studies at Kansas State University and medical school at the University of Kansas where he obtained his MD and MPH degrees with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He is a current general surgery resident at Washington University School of Medicine. He has a dedicated focus on cardiac surgery with a particular interest in endovascular interventions. He has an interest in both clinical outcomes research and innovation of endovascular treatment of cardiovascular pathology. He intends to pursue a career in academic cardiac surgery and plans to utilize the skills leveraged through the CVISE T32 Program to contribute to further advancement of endovascular treatment of cardiovascular conditions during this fellowship and beyond.
Andrew Stark, BS
Andrew is currently pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in Hong Chen’s Ultrasound Laboratory. His research is focused on leveraging ultrasound technology for therapeutic purposes, such as drug delivery mechanisms in the brain and the release of tumor-specific biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. His primary interest in ultrasound neuromodulation has allowed him to explore its application in treating neurological disorders non-invasively and has sparked a keen interest in its potential for applications in sonobiopsy. Looking ahead, Austin’s career objective is to become a leader in the field of medical technology, specializing in the development of innovative, non-invasive therapeutic technologies. He aims to focus on creating solutions that integrate diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, enhancing the precision and efficacy of medical interventions. His goal is to develop technologies that not only improve patient outcomes through enhanced treatment capabilities but also reduce the overall invasiveness and risks associated with traditional procedures.
2022-2024 Fellow
Sophia Roberts, MD
Sophia Roberts is a second-year General Surgery resident at Barnes Jewish Hospital at Washington University. She grew up in South Florida and attended Yale University to study Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology. Her undergraduate research focused on the role of Thrombospondin-2 in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch, for which she won the Edgar J. Boell prize for excellence in senior research. She received her medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Her major clinical interests are in cardiothoracic surgery, with special interests in thoracic transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and aortic surgery. She is thrilled to develop her interests in surgical innovation and device development under the mentorship of Dr. Mohamed Zayed and Dr. Ralph Damiano as the inaugural CVISE fellow.