UROP Project
Modeling Hemodynamics and Thrombosis in Menstrual Spiral Arteries
Menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), computational modelling, CFD,
Research Mentor: Dr. Dr. Leo Liu, PhD ,
Department, College, Affiliation: CBE - Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: leo.liu@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Rojan Saghian
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: rs25t@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: CBE - Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: leo.liu@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor): Dr. Dr. Rojan Saghian
Research Assistant Supervisor Email: rs25t@fsu.edu
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical engineering.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6–10 hours, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical engineering.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 6–10 hours, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Friday, September 5
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73601098992?pwd=SUFt6qSBRmm4uZI2GyLu2oEOU1DP4b.1
Project Description
Project Summary:Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is thought to arise from multiple disruptions in vascular and haemostatic regulation within the endometrium. One promising but underexplored approach to understanding this condition is the use of computational and experimental models of blood flow in uterine spiral arteries. This project aims to simulate blood flow and shear stress in coiled artery geometries and investigate how these factors affect haemostatic plug formation—a critical mechanism for controlling menstrual blood loss. Results from these models will inform the development of in vitro bleeding-on-a-chip platforms, ultimately enabling mechanistic studies of menstrual haemostasis.
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Research Goals & Approach:
• Develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of spiral arteries using Ansys or OpenFoam.
• Simulate the impact of vessel length and curvature on shear stress and flow profiles
• Connect findings with biological literature on thrombus formation, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis
• Designing conceptual microfluidic geometries for "bleeding-on-a-chip" experiments
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Learning Outcomes:
• Gain hands-on experience with biofluid mechanics and computational modeling
• Understand the physiological basis of menstrual haemostasis and vascular biology
• Learn to apply interdisciplinary tools to real biomedical research problems
• Develop skills in scientific writing and presentation
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Time Commitment and Mentorship:
• Weekly commitment: 6–10 hours
• Meetings: Weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings + group lab meetings
• Mentorship will focus on technical training, critical thinking, and support for student-driven questions
• Possibility for long-term involvement, UROP extensions, and publication contribution
Research Tasks: Student Role and Responsibilities:
• Conduct literature reviews on spiral artery anatomy, thrombotic mechanisms, and fluid dynamics
• Assist in modeling blood flow in spiral artery geometries using open-source or academic software (e.g., Ansys or OpenFoam)
• Analyze and visualize outputs (e.g., wall shear stress distributions, flow resistance)
• Document code, create figures, and contribute to research presentations
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Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Prerequisites / Preferred Skills:
• Interest in biomedical modeling, vascular biology, or reproductive health
• Skills required: Knowledge on designing tools such as CAD drawing, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ICEM, Fusion etc.
• Preferred (but not required): Knowledge on numerical methods such as FEM and FVM and using CFD software is a plus.
• Students from bioengineering, physics, applied math, computer science, or life sciences welcome
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Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, I aim to create an inclusive, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment where students feel empowered to explore, question, and contribute meaningfully to scientific discovery. I view mentorship as a collaborative process centered on mutual respect, curiosity, and growth.My first priority is understanding each student’s background, goals, and learning style. I strive to tailor mentorship to their interests—whether in experimental work, computational modeling, or biomedical systems—so they feel ownership of their project and are motivated by its impact. I emphasize hands-on experience and inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to test hypotheses, troubleshoot setbacks, and critically analyze results. I believe learning is strongest when students are trusted with real responsibility but know they can ask questions freely without fear of failure.
I provide structured support through regular one-on-one meetings, project feedback, and step-by-step guidance where needed, gradually increasing independence as confidence grows. I also share my own experiences navigating research challenges to demystify the scientific process and model perseverance.
Ultimately, I hope students leave our collaboration not only with new technical skills, but with a deeper sense of scientific curiosity, intellectual resilience, and confidence in their ability to contribute to meaningful research.