JOSEPH LA FIANDRA

233 Ritterslea Court ♦ Owings Mills, MD, 21117

410-294-9735 ♦ jnlaf@umd.edu
EDUCATION
University of Maryland, College Park, MD Expected May 2023
Bachelor of Science, Bioengineering GPA: 3.35
Concentration: Biotechnology and Therapeutics Development
Minor: Global Engineering Leadership
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND HONORS
College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program August 2019-Present
A. James Clark School of Engineering Dean’s List Spring 2020
WORK EXPERIENCE
Potomac Photonics Halethorpe, MD
Research and Development Intern June 2020 – August 2020, January 2021
• Developed the manufacturing process for PDMS-on-slide microfluidic concentration gradients and droplet generators using
spin coating and plasma etching
• Optimized elastomer formulations required to transfer PDMS based microfluidic devices to thermoplastics for hot embossing
features into COC plastic
• Established a standard-operating-procedure for the manufacturing of a stainless-steel microfluidic device for a leading space
exploration company utilizing CNC machining and laser lithography
• Enhanced in-house laser welding and hot embossing techniques required to expedite research of COVID-19 investigative
technologies
• Quality controlled FDA-compliant medical devices using ISO 13485:2003 standards
• Designed the QC protocol of a PEEK-based microfluidic device using laser micromachining, flow testing, and microscopy
Univ. of Maryland-Greenebaum Cancer Center Baltimore, MD
Intern July 2018-August 2018
• Compiled a database of cancerous cell lines differentiating those that can be genetically modified with CRISPR to optimize
generation time and gene expression in cell culture
• Analyzed progression of tumors in in vivo chemotherapy study using Xenogen bioluminescent imaging
• Shadowed investigative cancer researchers developing protein-based chemotherapies from ‘bench-to-bedside’
RESEARCH
Univ. Of Maryland-MEMS and Microfluidics Laboratory College Park, MD
Undergraduate Research Assistant January 2021-Present
• Investigating a new method of nanoliposomal drug encapsulation by leveraging fluid dynamic properties of a
microhydrocyclone on a non-planar, microfluidic device
LEADERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS
Rak Shalom A Cappella Group College Park, MD
Business Manager December 2020-Present
• Reinvented the way Rak Shalom performs in the age of COVID-19 by creating customized virtual programming for each
client
• Manages backend logistics for album studio-recording and publishing to Apple Music and Spotify
College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program College Park, MD
Executive Board Member September 2019-Present
• Communicates information between program administration and students pertinent to their academic progression
• Wrote a grant proposal to Student Government Association requesting program financing for student engagement
opportunities (rescinded due to COVID-19)
Univ. of Maryland Biomedical Engineering Society - Member September 2019-Present
PUBLICATIONS
• La Fiandra J. Microfluidic Concentration Gradient Generators. Potomac Photonics. January 2021. http://www.potomac-
laser.com/blog/microfluidic-concentration-gradient-generators-potomac-photonics/.
SKILLS
Software Packages: MATLAB, AutoCAD, Fusion360, MS Office, ImageJ
Engineering Competencies: CNC machining, rapid prototyping, flow/pressure testing, hot embossing, laser welding/micromachining,
PCR, bacterial and mammalian cell culture