Cardiac Mechanics Research Group

The Cardiac Mechanics Research Group is based in the Department of Bioengineering and the Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine at UCSD. Our research focus is on the mechanics and electrical dynamics of the normal and diseased heart from molecular to organ scales. The principal investigators are Andrew McCulloch and Jeff Omens, and we are funded by the NIH, NSF and other sponsors. Learn more »

Opportunities

  • We are seeking one or two graduate students, either PhD or Master’s candidates, to work on the Cardiac Atlas Project (cardiacatlas.org) starting Fall quarter 2022. Students will work with world-renowned researchers and clinicians to create patient-specific computational models of congenital heart defect architecture and function during growth and remodeling. Bioengineering, physiology, pre-Med or similar backgrounds preferred. Training will be provided. Excellent communication skills, independence, and self-motivation required. If interested, please contact Dr. Andrew McCulloch (amcculloch@ucsd.edu) and Dr. Jeff Omens (jomens@ucsd.edu) with your resume/CV.

Openings Available for Master’s Students

We are recruiting ambitious, self-motivated individuals to join our lab for a 1-2 year thesis-based Master’s project. You will work under the supervision of faculty, staff, research scientists, and postdoctoral scholars, and together with other graduate and undergraduate students to become an expert in your field. Contact lab manager, Jen Stowe (jstowe@ucsd.edu), for details.

Project 1: A computational analysis project, as part of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance (humanperformance.ucsd.edu). Use collected experimental data to understand the relationship underlying the molecular mechanisms of exercise.

Project 2: A hands-on engineering project under the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance (humanperformance.ucsd.edu). Design, build, test, and iterate the second generation of our mouse resistance exercise cage.

Project 3:  A mixed computational modeling and experimental project to apply video footage and force plate data to build and expand current models of mouse biomechanics, as part of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance (humanperformance.ucsd.edu).

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