About

Lucas received a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering at the University of Washington in 2003. He went on to serve two years in the US Air Force as a logistics officer at McChord, AFB. He started graduate school at the University of California, San Diego Department of Bioengineering in 2006 and began research under the guidance of Dr. Richard Lieber. His thesis project, ìskeletal muscle adaptations to spastic cerebral palsy,î investigates the mechanisms leading to muscle contractures, a major cause of disability. To augment the clinical basis for this research, he received a grant to participate in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ìMed-into-Gradî program; through which he attended cerebral palsy clinics and collaborated with Dr. Henry Chambers, an orthopedic surgeon. Lucas plans to pursue a career in translational muscle research after graduate school. Away from lab he enjoys recreational sports, outdoor activities, coaching, and mentoring through Big Brothers of San Diego.

Education

UC San Diego

Ph.D. , Bioengineering

Class of 2011

Awards & Publications