Steven Ford
About Steven...
Biography:
Born September 1, Richland, Washington; raised
in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Richland, Washington; graduated from Hanford High
School (Richland).
I became involved in research in 2005 at Pacific Northwest National
Laboratories, where I conducted analytical chemistry studies and
assembled circuitry for data acquisition interfaces. Shortly
thereafter, I began working as an undergraduate in Dr. Murali
Chandra's cardiac muscle research laboratory, the lab in which I am
currently pursuing my graduate degree at Washington State
University. Characterizing dynamic contractile behaviors of the
heart, an amazingly efficient mechanical pump from an engineering
point of view, became an early interest for me. The work that
stemmed from this interest led to the development and refinement of
mathematical models to characterize dynamic and nonlinear
contractile behavior of cardiac muscle, which I plan to use to help
better understand how specific structural motifs in the contractile
regulatory protein troponin T contribute to healthy,
cardiac-specific muscle function.
Undergraduate Education:
Washington State University, B.S.
(2006).
Major: Bioengineering / Minor: Mathematics.
Current research topic:
Role of the H2-helical interface between cardiac troponin T and
troponin I in modulating contractile function of heart muscle: structure and
function in cardiac health and disease.
Other Interests:
I love to travel (photo above is taken
at the entrance of Potala Palace, in Lhasa, Tibet), spend time outdoors (hike,
camp, raft, boat, fish, etc.), spend time with friends and family, and stay
active in sports. Some of my favorite sports include snowboarding, basketball,
mountain-biking, golf and running, but I also enjoy cooking, when time permits.
I especially enjoy preparing chilies and Asian cuisine. I also like being in the
know with current technology, and I love assembling, installing, or modifying
electronic devices.
Awards/Honors:
Washington State University Academic Scholarship
(2001).
Washington State University President's Honor Roll (2005).
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Fellowship (2007-2009).
Washington State University Graduate School Travel Grant (2009).
National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Space Grant
Science Opportunity Fellowship (2009).
Washington State University Graduate and Professional Student
Association Registration Grant (2010).
NASA Space Grant Fellowship in Science and Engineering ($2,500;
2010).
Poncin Fellowship (Project funded; relinquished 2010-2011).
American Heart Association Predotoral Fellowship ($45,544 over 2
years; 2010-2012)
.
Major Advisor:
Dr. Murali Chandra
Year entered PhD Program:
Fall 2007
Contact email:
sford@vetmed.wsu.edu
