Modeling Villi Atrophy in Celiac Disease
This project develops a mechanistic model of villus atrophy in celiac disease. Intestinal villi - microscopic finger-like projections that maximize nutrient absorption - undergo progressive atrophy in response to immune-mediated inflammation. Using continuum modeling, the project links cellular-level immune processes to structural degradation of the intestinal lining. The goal is to provide a quantitative framework for villus blunting, a process central to nutrient malabsorption and secondary complications such as anemia. The student will contribute to both the modeling work and manuscript preparation, with the aim of producing a peer-reviewed publication.
Name of research group, project, or lab
CoMMaND Lab
Website
Why join this research group or lab?
Training objectives:
- Programming skills: Learn to implement computational models in Fortran (UMAT) and Python (immune dynamics).
- Biomechanics application: Apply continuum mechanics to gastrointestinal pathophysiology.
- Research training: Work within a computational biomechanics lab setting.
- Communication: Develop skills in presenting results clearly (progress updates, final presentation) and in technical writing (report drafting and contribution to a journal manuscript).