Aidan Hughes earned a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering and a Master's in Science, Technology, and Public Policy from the Rochester Institute of Technology (2019-2024). During his time at RIT, he conducted research under Dr. Vinay Abhyankar, studying silver-nanowire augmented collagen matrices to enhance the conductive properties of collagen gels for transepithelial electrical resistance measurements. He also designed microfluidic devices to create alignment interfaces in collagen gels. His current research in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab focuses on understanding how vascular network dynamics contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, leveraging his multidisciplinary background in medical devices, systems modeling, and biomaterials. In the long term, he aims to study the auditory system to develop interventions for sensorineural hearing loss. Outside of the lab, he enjoys crossfit, board games, winter hiking, reading, and video games.
