Research Team

Our multidisciplinary research team consists of dedicated faculty, staff, and trainees working toward exploring the very latest breakthroughs in plastic and reconstructive surgery research. Collaboration is key to our approach, and our team brings together the greatest minds across a range of specialties to find innovative approaches and solutions.

Preclinical Research
Clinical Sciences Research Building, 3rd floor

Portrait of Matthew D. Wood, PhD.

Matthew Wood, PhD
Staff Scientist

General questions regarding our Preclinical Research program should be directed to Dr. Matthew Wood at PRSResearch@wustl.edu.

Clincal Research

Jeremy Eisele
Staff Scientist

General questions regarding our Clinical Research trials should be directed to Mr. Jeremy Eisele at PRSResearch@wustl.edu.

Our clinical research staff is committed to exploring the latest discoveries at the forefront of every subspecialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The team consists of exemplary researchers and trainees and who bring diverse research backgrounds and interests together to break new ground on the leading edge of the field.

Trainee alumni

Emma Young
Research Fellow

In 2020, Emma graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She then completed her master’s in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins in 2021. Her research involves regenerative medicine and biomaterials, with focuses on peripheral artery disease, peripheral nerve repair and vascular anastomosis. She is originally from California and is currently trying to find the best place for street style tacos in St. Louis.

Sai Pinni
Research Fellow

Sai Pinni is a St. Louis native and graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a BS in neuroscience. She is now in her third year at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and currently on a research year with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her research spans basic, translational and clinical studies on peripheral nerve regeneration, breast reconstruction, lymphedema and gender-affirming surgery. Fun fact: Sai loves to sing and was on a South Asian fusion a cappella team in college!

Suzanne Zhou
Research Fellow

Suzanne Zhou earned her bachelor’s degree in 2015 from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently completing her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine
and a Master of Population Health Science from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research involves implementing a video-based coaching program for surgical trainees, evaluating telemedicine viability in surgical clinics and creating strategies to combat burnout in the operating room. She is originally from North Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys taking care of her fermentation cultures and exploring the outdoors on her mountain bike.

Blake Schofield
Graduate Student

Blake is an MD-PhD candidate who received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research involves understanding the mechanisms
of nerve regeneration across acellular nerve allograft (ANA) and engineering ANAs toward enhanced regeneration across long gaps. In addition to peripheral nerve, Blake is passionate about medical illustration, good design, antiques and restoration.

Jesús A. Acevedo Cintrón
Graduate Student

Jesús is a 6th year MD-PhD student at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Jesús obtained his bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology in 2015 from the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras. After completing his undergraduate studies, Jesús completed a post-baccalaureate program at Johns Hopkins University where he studied the genetic pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. His research interests include understanding the role of the immune system in peripheral nerve regeneration. He is currently completing his thesis project under the supervision of Susan Mackinnon, MD, and Matthew Wood, PhD, studying how modulation of the immune system promotes nerve regeneration across acellular nerve allografts (ANAs). In his free time, Jesús enjoys watching sports, playing videogames and going on walks.

Cameron Martin
Research Fellow

Cameron Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in 2022 from Washington University in St. Louis. His research involves creating suture-less blood vessel anastomotic devices, engineering hydrogel composites to treat peripheral arterial disease and neuropathies, experimental drug therapies for the treatment of lymphedema and assessing the use of near infrared spectroscopy to predict the post-surgical complications of breast reduction surgery. He is originally from Maryland and enjoys playing numerous sports, including basketball and golf.

Alumni

Michael Finnan

Adam Liebendorfer

Curtis Broberg

Evan Marsh

Annahita Fotouhi

Sarah Chiang

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