With a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Tufts University, Nicholas is a PhD candidate at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, supervised by Prof. Elizabeth Rosado Balmayor and Prof. Martijn van Griensven.

His project focuses on improving treatment for patients with fractures and bone defects that fail to heal adequately, a major clinical challenge associated with prolonged disability, repeated interventions, and increased healthcare burden. In collaboration between MERLN and an industry partner specializing in synthetic bone graft technologies, the project combines chemically modified mRNA with a synthetic bone graft biomaterial to develop a regenerative osteogenic construct.

The aim is to enhance local bone regeneration by combining the therapeutic potential of mRNA with a biomaterial environment that supports osteogenic and immune-related regenerative signaling. Ultimately, the project seeks to advance this approach toward clinical translation and future commercialization for patients with impaired bone healing.