Fischell Institute Affiliate Fellow Spotlight: Eleonora Tubaldi

Affiliate Fellow Eleonora Tubaldi is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Her research focuses on developing devices that integrate seamlessly with biological systems, for applications such as cardiovascular prosthetics and minimally invasive surgery.

In these scenarios, achieving success involves designing bioinspired devices capable of adapting to their surrounding environment and interacting effectively through flexible, adaptable structures. One example is elastomeric soft robots, which her lab is developing to replicate convoluted biomimetic motion using simple fluidic pressure actuation, tunable mechanical properties, and intelligent features like sensing and distributed actuation. The robots were inspired by how octopuses squeeze through holes as small as their eyes, and how bacteria propel themselves through flexible flagella.

Tubaldi is also working on creating models to understand better aortic dissection, a life-threatening condition characterized by a tear in the wall of the aorta that allows blood to flow between the arterial wall’s layers. She and her lab develop fluid-structural interaction models to improve risk assessment, guide optimal clinical decisions, and personalize treatments. Recently, their research was published in Scientific Reports.

Tubaldi is a researcher on the "3D-Nanoprinted Soft Robotic Microcatheters with Integrated Microfluidic Circuitry for Cerebrovascular Surgery" project team, along with Fischell Institute Fellow and Department of Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Ryan Sochol and Affiliate Fellow and University of Maryland, Baltimore Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Professor Miroslaw Janowski, through the Fischell Institute Young Investigator Fellowship program. Together, the team is developing new, highly steerable, soft robotic guidewires and microcatheters for neurosurgical procedures. Tubaldi’s focus is the numerical modeling to predict how these systems respond mechanically and deform under pressure inputs, which is critical for navigation tasks.

“I love the multidisciplinary aspect of my work, which enables me to collaborate with clinicians,” Tubaldi said. “Together, we can ensure our research is translated into practical applications for clinical settings.”

Tubaldi aims to continue advancing cardiovascular medical devices and deepen the understanding of cardiovascular disease pathophysiology. She plans to develop patient-specific numerical models further to optimize treatment outcomes.

Outside of work, Tubaldi enjoys swimming, swing dancing, cooking, and attending theater performances, mainly classic plays.

Published December 12, 2024