Meet the BellasFATLab Team
Graduate Research Assistant
Julieta Rios Vergara
Background
BD, Biomedical Engineering, EIA University, Medellin, Colombia (Dec 2023)
MS, Bioengineering, Temple University, Expected graduation - May 2026
About Me
I’m from Colombia, and I believe Colombian coffee is the best! In my free time, I enjoy working. I love traveling and learning about new cultures. Brunch is my absolute favorite meal, and I’m always hunting for the next great brunch spot. Fun fact: I have a soft spot for conspiracy theories…
Research Interests
Adipose tissue engineering, cellular crosstalk and microenvironment, and immune response modulation
My research is focused on exploring the effect of macrophages on healthy and obese adipose tissue.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Metabolically healthy obesity is characterized by adipocyte hyperplasia (the creation of new adipocytes) instead of hypertrophy (enlargement of existing adipocytes), indeed shifts the narrative on fat and metabolic health. This type of healthy obesity, often linked with higher intakes of unsaturated fatty acids, supports insulin sensitivity and prevents common obesity-related conditions. This is my fave fat fact since it is a reminder that good habits matter, highlighting how lifestyle choices directly impact the quality of adipose tissue and metabolic function.
Undergraduate Research Assistant- CST RSP Fellow
Alex Puig Cruz
Background
BS, Biology, Temple University, PA -Expected Grad: 2026
About Me
I am from Puerto Rico and have had a passion for science since I was young. In fact, I plan on studying medicine after graduating from Temple. In my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, going to the beach, and exploring the city.
Research Interests
Adipose Tissue Engineering, Women's Health, Hormone Therapy
My research focuses on exploring how hormonal changes throughout a person’s life can affect the composition and function of adipose tissue.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Marine mammals, like dolphins and walruses, have a lot of adipose tissue because it helps them stay buoyant and conserve body heat!
Undergraduate Research Assistant- CARAS Research Fellow
Jasmine Wilk
Background
BS, Public Health, Temple University, PA, Expected Grad: 2027
About Me
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors. I also love playing basketball, cooking/ baking, trying new foods, and listening to language-learning podcasts!
Research Interests
Adipose Tissue Engineering, Health Disparities
My research interests include exploring the effects of microenvironment and medications such as glucocorticoids on adipose tissue fibrosis, growth, and function, as well as investigating the impact of health disparities in adipose tissue-related diseases.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Adipose tissue does more than just store fat! It also plays a large endocrine role by secreting hormones like leptin, which helps regulate appetite, and adiponectin, which enhances insulin sensitivity.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Michelle Fils
Background
BS, Bioengineering (Cellular), Temple University, PA, Expected Grad: 2026
About Me
I enjoy baking, reading, going on walks and spending time with friends and family. I love to walk to the Art Museum going through Fairmount early weekend mornings.
Research Interests
Adipose Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery
I am interested in drug delivery and tissue engineering, with a specific interest in studying adipocyte behavior within diabetes disease models to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Up to 5 percent of a newborn baby’s body weight is Brown Adipose Tissue which helps them stay warm because they can’t shiver yet.
Undergraduate Research Assistant- Diamond Scholar
Nicole Estephan
Background
BS, Bioengineering, Temple University, Expected Graduation 2026
About Me
I enjoy sewing, music, and traveling!
Research Interests
Microfluidics, Adipose Tissue Engineering, Vascularization
I am interested in disease modeling using organ-on-chip platforms. My research focuses on using these platforms to develop models of adipose tissue and its lymphatic vasculature to better understand how lymphatic vessels play a role in metabolic conditions, such as lipedema and obesity.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Adipose tissue is highly vascularized, meaning that blood and lymphatic vessels are contained within it and may play a major role in its overall function.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Terry Le
Background
BS, Biology, Temple University, PA, Expected Grad: 2024
About Me
I enjoy drawing, reading and going to museums. My absolute favorite food is sushi! I am also part of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association at here Temple!
Research Interests
Adipose Tissue Engineering, Environmental factors
My research interests include studying the effects of synthetic chemicals, such as industrial chemicals, on the biological functions and structural properties of fat cells. Specifically, I want to learn how these chemicals influence fat cell differentiation, metabolism, and the regulation of fat storage.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Asian populations tend to have a higher percentage of visceral fat compared to subcutaneous fat, contributing to their susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Undergraduate Research Assistant- CARAS Research Fellow
Trisha Verma
Background
BS, Biochemistry, Temple University, PA, Expected grad: 2027
About Me
I'm a biochemistry student on the pre-med track. I swam competitively throughout high school, I enjoy playing with my dog, and I love doing nails in my free time!
Research Interests
Women's health, Adipose Tissue Engineering
I am interested in studying every-day parts of life and how different factors affect adiposity. Specifically, I want to test how estradiol during a woman's reproductive life affects fatty-acid uptake by adipocytes.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
Everyone is born with tens of billions of fat cells, and they remain there for the entirety of your life. You can add more adipose tissue but you can't naturally destroy your fat cells!
Undergraduate Research Assistant- NIH MARC Fellow
Edmee Brown-Egue
Background
BS, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Temple University, Expected Graduation- May 2025
About Me
I am a senior Mechanical Engineering Technology student. On campus, I serve as the Secretary of Temple’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, where I help support and represent black students in STEM. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy cooking, building with Legos, and staying active through regular workouts.
Research Interests
Adipose Tissue Engineering, 3D Printing, CAD, Programming
I have a passion for hands-on problem-solving and design. My interests include medical device design, bio-instrumentation, and integrating engineering concepts into medicine and healthcare.
My Favorite Fun FAT Fact
While the brain is thought of as the fattiest organ, at 60% fat, adipose tissue is actually the fattiest organ at 80% fat.
Current Openings
May be listed here, or reach out to Dr. Bellas.