Anna Gaffney

she/her/they/them

About

I am a PhD candidate in Biophysics at University of Chicago, conducting research under joint mentorship of Dr. Ka Yee Lee and Dr. Luka Pocivavsek. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exploring Chicago queer nightlife, and playing with my 2 cats!

Research

In my research as a grad student, I study how lipid monolayers at the air-water interface collapse under compression. I combine experimental lipid monolayer research (through fluorescence and atomic force microscopy conducted in the Lee Lab) with computational continuum mechanics modeling (through finite element simulations in the SurgBioMech Lab), to characterize the morphology and mechanical stability of lipid monolayers undergoing collapse.
Read more about it in our newly publihsed PNAS paper below!

In my research as a grad student, I have also utilized continuum mechanics and finite element simulations to model stress focusing and thin sheet instabilities that spontaneously occur as a result of surgical procedures that deform native organ geometry. Specifically, I model anastomoses on gastrointestinal and vascular channels through the perspective of applied physics, elasticity, and geometry.
Read a more detailed explanation in the abstract below!

I received my BS in Biophysics in 2020 at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. During my undergrad, I conducted experimental research in the lab of Dr. Sarah Veatch, studying the liquid-liquid phase behavior of lipid vesicles in relation to composition, temperature, and chemical potential of cholesterol.
Read more about it below!

Let's Collaborate!

I plan to graduate with my PhD in Biophysical Sciences in December 2025 and will begin my position as a postdoctoral researcher under Professor Nhung Nguyen at University of Chicago in January of 2025.During this time, I would like to begin collaborations and dialogues about future academic and research positions.I am particularly interested in biomaterials, how mechanical engineering and physics intersect with medicine, and translating computational research to clinical applications.I am a passionate learner and am excited to apply my physics expertise to new and interesting biological and medical problems.To get in touch, please email me at: [email protected] !