Haley Obenshain

Haley is a second-year PhD student in the Bioengineering Department. She earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach, where she conducted collaborative undergraduate research under the mentorship of Dr. Siavash Ahrar and Dr. Douglas Pace. Her work aimed to quantify swimming and feeding characteristics of marine invertebrates via microfluidics. This research was featured in The Secret Life of Sand Dollars, an immersive 360° public exhibit designed by Dr. Behnaz Farahi that highlighted developmental physiology and its response to emerging climate change challenges. In the Dewey Lab, Haley’s project aims to use human tissue engineering strategies to develop biomaterials that can act synergistically with coral tissue and promote faster growth and attachment. She plans to translate her current research into future Art of Science exhibits and actively engages in science outreach at the local junior high schools and high schools. In her free time, she enjoys going on long walks, watching anime, and playing with her two cats, Himothy and Mikasa.