Current Team
Dr. Abraham Joy
Professor and Chair, Department of Bioengineering
Dr. Joy comes to Northeastern from the University of Akron where he has been a professor of polymer science since 2020, and was an associate professor from 2016 to 2020, and assistant professor from 2010-2016. From 2021-23, he was a National Science Foundation program director in the Biomaterials (BMAT) program of DMR. Joy’s research interests are in the areas of design and use of biomaterials for wound healing; antimicrobial/antibiofilm strategies; soft-tissue replacement; polymer condensates; and sustained delivery of therapeutics. He is an associate editor for Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
Joy obtained his PhD in chemistry from Tulane University, where he researched organic asymmetric photoreactions. Following his doctoral work, he carried out his postdoctoral work at the Georgia Institute of Technology, working on charge migration in synthetic oligonucleotides. Subsequently, he was an NIH Ruth Kirschstein postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers University, where he worked on designing biomaterials for modulating cellular functions. Joy is a recipient of the Burroughs Welcome Award, 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award, and an NSF CAREER Award.
Email: a.joy@northeastern.edu
Avinash Manjula-Basavanna
Senior Research Scientist, joined lab in 2024
Avinash did his PhD on Bioinspired Molecular and Materials Engineering at Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, India. He then moved to Harvard University, USA, as a Wyss Institute Postdoctoral Fellow to work on Engineered Living Materials (ELMs). He was also a Visiting Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Virginia Tech, USA.
More experience
In 2020, he was featured as one of the World’s Top 35 Innovators Under 35 by Technology Review, MIT. He was the Grand Prize Winner of American National Science Foundation (NSF) Idea Machine (Big Idea) competition. He was recognized as a Deep Tech Pioneer and the recipient of Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award and STAT Wunderkind Award. He was also selected for the Innovation Scholars In-Residence Program by the President of India, Harvard Innovation Lab’s Venture Incubation Program and MIT Engine’s Blueprint program for the Tough Tech Founders. His research work has been highlighted in several global media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist etc.
His research interests are at the interface of Synthetic Biology, Materials Engineering, Biomanufacturing, Protein Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, Sustainability, Nature-Inspired Engineering and Biomaterials.
Email: a.manjula-basavanna@northeastern.edu
Zixi Chen
Ph.D. Candidate, joined lab in 2021
Bacteria that existed in medical devices and the human body significantly cause serious infection problems. I’m currently focusing on synthesizing bio-mimic antibiofilm polymers which have potential remarkable performance in controlling, dispersing, and inhibiting biofilm formation.
Email: chen.zixi@northeastern.edu
Prathamesh Mane
Ph.D. Candidate, joined lab in 2021
I pursued my undergraduate studies in Fibers and Textiles Processing Technology at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai and I joined Joy’s lab in 2021. I am passionate about designing biodegradable polymers and materials for hemorrhage control.
Email: mane.prat@northeastern.edu
Mahdi Zafari
Ph.D. student, joined lab in 2023
During my undergraduate studies and research project at the Pasteur Institute of Iran, and upon commencing my PhD studies at the University of Akron, I became intrigued by the behavior of cells within their microenvironment across various extracellular matrices, particularly regarding how different polymers can immunomodulate immune cells in the human body. At Northeastern University, in our investigations and collaborations, we could expand the scope of immunomodulation and our understanding by including more polymers, more cell types, and assessing transitions in immune cell profiles.
Email: zafari.m@northeastern.edu
Yu Cui
Ph.D. Candidate, joined lab in 2023
My research involves the development of 3D-printed polymer scaffolds in wound healing through the synthesis of cost-effective materials. I aim to create functional, biocompatible, and affordable wound healing matrices that support tissue regeneration, providing an accessible and efficient solution for wound care.
Email: cui.yu2@northeastern.edu
Justin Cross
Ph.D. student, joined lab in 2024
I joined Joy’s lab from Stevens Institute of Technology where I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering. My research focuses on designing antibiofilming polymers for medical devices and antithrombotic materials for vascular occlusions.
Email: cross.ju@northeastern.edu
Rithika Mailcore
M.S. Biotechnology student, joined lab in 2025
Email: mailcore.r@northeastern.edu
Janani Saravanan
M.S. Biotechnology student, joined lab in 2025
Email: saravanan.j@northeastern.edu
Tutu
Belongs to Zixi
Lovely and beloved angel ragdoll with a ‘Bunny’ like mark on his alluring face.
Millie
Dr. Joy belongs to her