Education
2019-2024
University of California, Los Angeles, Ph.D.
Bioengineering
Advisor: Andrea Kasko, Ph.D.
PH.D. DISSERTATION: “Leveraging bioinspired resources for synthesis of sustainable polymeric systems.”
Committee members: Andrea Kasko, Ph.D. (chair), Tim Deming, Ph.D., Ximin He, Ph.D., Paul Weiss, Ph.D.
2014-2019
University of Utah, B.S./M.S.
Biomedical Engineering
Minor (B.S.): Chemistry
Advisor: Vladimir Hlady, D.Sc.
M.S. THESIS: “Combined effects of upstream priming and hematocrit on downstream platelet-material interactions.”
Committee members: Vladimir Hlady, D.Sc. (chair), Jindrich Kopecek, Ph.D., D.Sc., Aaron Fogelson, Ph.D.
Academic Employment
2019-Present
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Advisor: Andrea Kasko
Working with the Department of Defense to develop a therapeutic-loaded hydrogel for blast wounds
Synthesizing sustainable, lignin-based commodity polymers as an alternative to petroleum-derived plastics
Advisor: Daniel Kamei
Explored developing a paper-based diagnostic device for HIV-1
Designed and implemented an aqueous two-phase system compatible with isothermal amplification to simultaneously concentrate DNA
Mentored 7 undergraduate researchers
Summer 2022
Parasitology Intern, Veterinary Medical Research & Development, Global Therapeutics, Zoetis
Developed and optimized viability assays to add onto internal parasitic screens
Fall 2020
Teaching Assistant, Targeted Drug Delivery (C183/283), UCLA
Independently facilitate discussion sections
Participate in the evaluation and feedback process of students’ work throughout the quarter
Mentor students on surveying literature, developing R21 grant proposals, and the peer review process
2019-2020
Capstone Graduate Mentor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
Oversaw a team of 5 in the development of an all-in-one device to detect pathogens in food
One of 3 teams selected to present at the final Capstone Design Symposium
2016-2019
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah
Prepared protein-printed microfluidic chambers and conduct platelet rolling experiments
Analyzed image series to examine relationship between priming and platelet pause behavior
2017-2018
Ambassador, College of Engineering, University of Utah
Represented College of Engineering at recruitment, alumni, and development events; network between departments
Independently developed a textbook share within the college for lower-income students
Summer 2016
Research Assistant, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge
Collaborated in the development of a portable “lab-on-a-chip” diagnostic for leptospirosis
Expressed, purified, and immobilized his-mCherry-R5
Co-transformed his-mCherry-R5 with monomeric enzyme sarcosine oxidase
Created colloidosome-immobilized construct, working with BP Institute
2013-2014
Outreach Instructor, SciTrek, UC, Santa Barbara
Constructed a soil retention module and designed an experiment to demonstrate
Taught principles of soil retention to local students
Oversaw a team of seven students as they created, executed, and reported their own experiments
Honors and Awards
2023 US Patent Application, 30435.0497USP1
2022 Intern Spotlight, Zoetis Veterinary Medical R&D
2020 NSF GRFP Honorable Mention, NSF
2019 Graduate Dean’s Scholar Award, Graduate Division, UCLA
2019 Undergraduate Research Scholar Designation, Office of Undergraduate Research
2018 Travel Grant Award, Office of Undergraduate Research
2018 1st Place Poster, Bioengineering Symposium
2018 Graduate Research Assistantship, Department of Bioengineering
2015-18 Dean’s List, University of Utah
2017 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Award, 2x, University of Utah
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sigma Xi
BMES University of Utah Undergraduate Student Chapter Officer
Biomedical Engineering Society
Society of Women Engineers
National Honors Society
Publications
Pumford, E.A., Jackson Hoffman, B.A., Kasko, A.M. (2024) Nontoxic Initiator Alternatives to TEMED for Redox Hydrogel Polymerization. ACS Applied BioMaterials, 7(4), 2264-71. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.3c01264
Jackson, B.A., Pumford, E.A., Enueme, A., Fetah, K., Kasko, A.M. (2023) Engineered Macromolecular Toll-like receptor agents and assemblies. Trends in Biotechnology, 41(9), 1139-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.008
Pumford, E., Rahman, S.M., Hlady, V. (2021). Effect of Upstream Priming on Transient Downstream Platelet-Substrate Interactions. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 206, 111925. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111925
Pumford, E., Lu, J., Zheng, E., Prasetyo, M., Spaczai, I., Zhang, H., Kamei, D. (2020) Developments in Nucleic Acid Isothermal Amplification and Detection Systems for Point-of-care Diagnostics. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 170, 112674. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2020.112674.
Henderson, C., Pumford, E., Seevartnam, D., Hall, E., Daly, R. (2019) Gene to Diagnostic: Self immobilizing protein for silica microparticle biosensor, modelled with sarcosine oxidase. Biomaterials, 193, 58-70. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.12.003.
Pumford, E., Santschi, L., Imondi, R. (2012) Sebastes serranoides voucher VH-24 cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, partial cds; mitochondrial. GenBank Accession Number: JQ694030.
Manuscripts in preparation/submitted for review
Pumford, E.A., Hamad, C., Enueme, A., Mamouei, Z., Wainwright, J., Cook, C., Wenke, J., Bernthal, N., Kaasko, A.M. (2024) Advanced Drug Eluting Hydrogel Wound Dressing for Prolonged Field Care: Innovations in Drug Delivery and Trauma Management. Science Translational Medicine.
Pumford, E.A., Kasko, A.M. (2024) Thiol-ene modification of biomass-derived poly(ether-amide)s for improved solubility. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
Pumford, E., Zudova, A., Hlady, V. (submitted to bioRxiv) Effect of Upstream Priming on Downstream Platelet-Material Interactions
Conference Presentations
Pumford, E., Kasko, A., Upton, B. (2022). Biomass-derived polymers incorporating hydroxycinnamates, ACS Western Regional Meeting 2022, October 19-22, 2022, Las Vegas, NV.
Pumford, E. (2018). Upstream Activation Increases Platelet Pause Events on Agonist, Undergraduate Bioengineering Symposium, April 20, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT.
Zudova, S.Z., Pumford, E., Hlady, V. (2017). Upstream Platelet Priming Effects on Transient Downstream Platelet-Surface Interactions, BMES 2017 Annual Meeting, October 11-14, 2017, Phoenix, AZ.
Posters
Pumford, E., Jackson, B., Kasko, A. (2023). PEGDA Hydrogels Utilizing Polycationic Initiators. ACS Fall 2023. August 13-17, 2023, San Francisco, CA.
Pumford, E., Upton, B., Kasko, A. (2023). Sustainable biomass-derived polymers for commercial applications. UCLA Bioengineering Research Day. February 10, 2023, Los Angeles, CA.
Pumford, E., Upton, B., Kasko, A. (2022). Sustainable biomass-derived polymers for commercial applications. ACS Western Regional Meeting 2022. October 19-22, 2022, Las Vegas, NV.
Pumford, E., Cook, K., Kasko, A. (2021). Synthesis and drug release kinetics of robust poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels for field dressings. UCLA Bioengineering Research Day. February 5, 2021, Los Angeles, CA.
Pumford, E., Zudova, S.Z., Hlady, V. (2018). Combined effects of transient upstream priming and hematocrit on downstream platelet rolling, Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference, December 7, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT.
Zudova, S.Z., Pumford, E., Hlady, V. (2018). Upstream Platelet Priming Effects on Transient Downstream Platelet-Surface Interactions, Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference, December 7, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT.
Pumford, E., Zudova, S.Z., Hlady, V. (2018). Combined effects of transient upstream priming and hematocrit on downstream platelet rolling, BMES 2018 Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
Zudova, S.Z., Pumford, E., Hlady, V. (2018). Upstream Platelet Priming Effects on Transient Downstream Platelet-Surface Interactions, BMES 2018 Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018, Atlanta, GA.
Pumford, E. (2018). Platelet Rolling Following Upstream Activation, Undergraduate Bioengineering Symposium, April 20, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT. First place poster out of all graduating bioengineers.
Pumford, E., Hlady, V. (2017) Platelet Rolling and Adhesion Following Upstream Activation, Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 4, 2017, Salt Lake City, UT.