Lauren Costella has over 10 years of experience in biomaterials research, specializing in electrospinning, wound healing, and proposal writing. She has successfully obtained over $2.6 million in federal funding, bringing in 50% of submitted proposals. At Luna Innovations, she established an electrospinning program that has generated $4 million in company funding. Her work has included developing biomimetic materials for ocular wound healing and controlled drug delivery dressings for burn wounds.

1. Lauren Costella
141 Brookwood Dr  Charlottesville, VA 22902  (804) 543-6755  lauren.a.costella@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST
Biomaterials  Electrospinning  Wound Healing  Proposal Writing  Project Management
Proven success obtaining funding and managing the technical aspects of early-stage research and
development programs. Key achievements include:
 Initiation of an electrospinning program: generating nanofibers for protein purification, sample
stabilization, wound healing, and drug delivery purposes.
 Generation of original research ideas in various areas of wound healing, tissue regeneration,
drug delivery, and protein purification processing followed by successful submission of SBIR
proposals and management of technical programs in these areas.
 Successful communication with product end-users and technical collaborators to ensure
development of commercially relevant wound-healing products.
Education
University of Virginia -- Charlottesville, VA
Masters of Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, 2015
Bachelors of Science, Biomedical Engineering, 2009
Experience
LUNA INNOVATIONS -- Charlottesville, VA – 2009-present
Biomedical Research Technician  Biomedical Research Associate  Biomedical Associate Scientist
Program Management
• Managed the technical aspects of programs in ocular wound healing, therapeutic drug delivery,
adhesion prevention, and protein purification
• Mentored summer interns and senior Capstone students
Proposal Writing and Funding Generation
• Generated original research ideas in response to both Department of Defense solicitations and
recognized voids in the medical community
• Won more than 50% of submitted proposals (national average ~12%)
• Brought in over $2.6 million worth of federal funding
Electrospinning
• Established an electrospinning program at Luna, which has since led to more than $4 million
worth of company funding
• Mastered fabrication of nanofiber samples using the NanoSpider NS Lab System

2. Lauren Costella
(804) 543-6755  Page 2
• Characterized loading and release profiles of encapsulated therapeutics in nanofiber-based
dressings
Wound Healing
• Worked with practicing physicians to adapt a solid barrier film into a sprayable hydrogel for
adhesion prevention
• Initiated a group area of expertise in ocular wound healing, developing bandages for sutureless
application and closure of open-globe injuries
• Managed the technical efforts of a program delivering analgesics to burn wounds in a
controlled manner
Materials Science
• Skilled in the functionalization and characterization of biopolymers
• Experienced in biomaterial characterization, including FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and
viscometry
Professional Communication
• Wrote technical progress reports, proposals, and invention disclosures
• Presented research efforts on the sprayable adhesion barrier to LifeCell Corporation
• Conducted conference poster presentations on ocular wound healing and sprayable adhesion
barrier research efforts
• Assisted with the development, marketing, and sales of TrueClot®, a simulated blood product
for medic training
• Represented Luna Innovations at college research and career fairs
• Managed IP for the entire Technology Development Division, serving as liaison between the
lawyers and the researchers.
Research Internships
LUNA INNOVATIONS – Charlottesville, VA
Capstone Thesis Project, 2008 – 2009
Developed a porous bone scaffold to prevent infection and promote natural bone growth in critically sized
defects; Determined elution rates of simulated growth factors and antimicrobials from the scaffold.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HOSPITAL – Charlottesville, VA
Research Intern – Department of Radiation Oncology, 2008
Wrote MATLAB and LabView programs using functions to mimic the motion of a lung tumor during a
breathing cycle; Used the NI Motion Control program to execute and test various motion profiles
ETHICON INC. -- Somerville, NJ
Research Intern, Women’s Health Department, 2007
Assisted with laboratory testing and product development for the Gynecare ThermaChoice uterine ablation
device; Performed simulated ablation treatments on beef tongue and calculated the resultant depth of
necrosis using ImageJ; Developed a protocol to determine the flow rate in the uterine ablation catheter.

3. Lauren Costella
(804) 543-6755  Page 3
Presentations
Costella, L.A, Pineros-Fernandez, A.C, Rodeheaver, G.T, Danilich, M.J, Cottler, P.S. (2013). “The Efficacy of
a Novel, Sprayable Biopolymer Barrier in the Prevention of Postoperative Adhesions.” Presented at the
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, April
2014.
Costella, L.A, Eiseman, A., Tison, C.K. (2015). “Development of Biomimetic Materials for Sutureless Ocular
Surface Repair.” Presented at the Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC, April 2015.
Costella, L.A., Eiseman, A., Tison, C.K. (2015) “Nanofiber Reinforced Hydrogel Dressings for Ocular
Wound Healing” Military Health Science Research Symposium. Poster. Fr. Lauderdale, FL. August 2015.
Skills and Technology (extended list on request)
Electrospinning, Cell Culture, SDS-PAGE, Tensile Testing, Viscometry, FTIR Characterization, Chemical
Modification of Materials, Animal Tissue Testing
Proficient in Excel, MATLAB, ImageJ; Experienced with LabView, MiniTab, and AUTOCAD
Affiliations
Society for Biomaterials  Materials Research Society  Biomedical Engineering Society
Available for Nationwide or International Relocation