Resume/CV
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Education
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, August 2009
Thesis: "Development of a Biocompatible and Dissolvable Tympanostomy Tube."
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville FL
Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, August 2005
Thesis: "An Ear Flow Chamber for Studying Tympanostomy Tube Occlusion"
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville FL
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science, May 2002 Minor in Biomechanics
Research
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2005-2009)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay, Dr. Patrick Antonelli
Tympanostomy tubes are implanted into the tympanic membrane to relieve pressure caused by infection. However, tympanostomy tubes are afflicted with many drawbacks including tube occlusion, premature extrusion, and surgical removal. Treatments to relieve these drawbacks include various coatings, and compositional changes. Our reserach has shown that tubes composed of biocompatible, biodegradable polymers can decrease the prevelance of tube plugging, premature extrusion, and surgical removal. The objective of this project is to develop a biocompatible tympanostomy tube that can maintain extended ventilation and then degrade on command.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2005-2007)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay, Dr. Patrick Antonelli
The development of a non-invasive stable mechanical scaffold for repairing tympanic perforations will alleviate the need for invasive surgery. Currently tympanic perforations are repaired with tympanoplasty surgery which is expensive, time consuming, and can be painful for the patient. The development of a non-invasive implant will provide a simple office procedure for repairing perforations. In addition, the patch can be constructed to encapsulate growth factors which further promote healing. The objective of this project is to develop a stable gel scaffold that will provide a mechanical bridge to promote cellular ingrowth.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2003-2008)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay, Dr. Patrick Antonelli
An in-vitro ear chamber can be used to measure the formation of occlusions in tympanostomy tubes. Currently the only method for assessing the performance of various tube coatings and compositional changes is to use patient studies. These studies can take as long as one year to complete, require the permission of both the parents as well as patients (children), and are expensive to complete. The use of an in-vitro ear chamber will save time, money, and reduce the number of variables. The objective of this project is to develop an in-vitro ear chamber along with a data acquisition system to measure the formation of tympanostomy tube occlusions.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2004-2006)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay
The viscosity of synovial fluid can be used as a marker for disease. Specifically, it has been shown that synovial fluid viscosity decreases as arthritis progresses. In addition, the quantity of fluid obtained also decreases over time. As a result it has become increasingly difficult to measure the viscosity of very small fluid samples using traditional equipment. The use of a microrheometer enables us to accurately measure the viscosity of very small samples ~0.01ml. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exercise on the viscosity of synovial fluid in horses.
RTI BIOLOGICS, Alachua FL
Internship: Research and Development (2004)
Advisor: Anglela Carr
RTI BIOLOGICS designs and manufactures human tissue implants. Sports injuries resulting in a torn ACL or other soft tissue trauma can be severe resulting in surgical treatment. The implantation of ligament replacements consisting of human tissue explants may be required in extreme cases. The goal of this research was to develop a mechanical testing device that enabled testing (tension) of explant samples prior to implantation.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2004-2005)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay, Mattias Steinberg
The use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) for patients waiting for heart transplants or those suffering from severe heart attacks has become common. A VAD is a device that assists the ventricles in pumping blood throughout the body. One important drawback of current pumps' design is intermittent fluid outflow. The design of a VAD with continuous outflow will increase the capacity of the pump, and decrease the size (pediatric use). My role in this project was to assist undergraduate students in the (Integrated Product and Process Design) IPPD team with designing and testing the device, as well as manufacturing some of the components.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Research, Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2002-2004)
Advisor: Dr. Roger Tran-Son-Tay,Dr. Mark Garby
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a significant cause of death among patients with high blood pressure. In addition, imaging techniques used to determine aneurysm growth are becoming increasingly common. However, they only represent a brief window into the formation of aneurysms. The development of an in-vitro model to record the deformation of the vessel wall under various conditions would be ideal. The objective of this project was to develop an in-vitro vessel chamber that can be used to record the formation of an aneurysm. To achieve this, a parallel plate flow chamber was developed to mimic the vessel dimensions.
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Publications
Ethan Sherman, Patrick Antonelli, Roger Tran-Son-Tay.
In-vitro testing of tympanostomy tube occlusion.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Nov;141(5):598-602
Objective: Tympanostomy tubes (TTs) are commonly rendered non-functional by mucus plug formation. The purpose of this study was to determine if an in vitro model could be developed to assess TT plug formation with results consistent with human trials. Study Design: An ear chamber was designed to mimic middle ear air and mucus flow conditions in post-TT otorrhea. TT occlusion was tested and correlated to published in vivo results. Methods: TTs that had previously been studied in vivo (Goode T, and Reuter Bobbin collar buttons) were placed in the model chamber. Pooled, homogenized, human middle ear mucus and an analog, egg white, were delivered at 80 ul per hour through the TTs. An air bolus was delivered every two minutes to simulate swallowing. Chamber pressure was monitored over 2.5 hours. Occlusion was determined by a pressure peak and visual confirmation. Results: Obstruction was found in 60% of the Reuter Bobbin and 40% of the Goode TTs using the mucus analog. These results are similar to those reported from previous in vivo studies. No plugging was reported for either TT using homogenized human ear mucus. Conclusions: The in vitro TT chamber simulates the in vivo environment and yields results consistent with in vivo observations. This model system may allow for rapid prototyping and evaluation of new TTs that may be less vulnerable to occlusion.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19861197
Ethan Sherman, Patrick Antonelli, Roger Tran-Son-Tay.
Development of a calcium alginate tympanostomy tube.
Laryngoscope. 2010 Dec;120(12):2473-7
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Tympanostomy tubes (TTs) are prone to complications resulting in part from the unpredictable duration that the TT remains in the tympanic membrane. General anesthesia may be necessary to remove TTs that fail to extrude. The purpose of this study was to develop a TT that could be dissolved on demand but remain functional with exposure to common otologic exposures. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective in vitro analysis. METHODS: Dissolvable TTs were developed from calcium alginate. Mechanical properties and occlusion susceptibility were optimized by varying ingredient concentrations and compared to commonly used commercial TTs using in vitro measures. RESULTS: Alginate TTs had a greater compressive strength than commercial silicone tubes. TTs composed of 0.5 M CaCl were stronger than high molarity CaCl concentrations. Uncoated alginate TTs showed a 20% reduction in occlusion propensity. Exposure of alginate TTs to otological solutions for 24 hours resulted in degradation of their mechanical properties, but they remained superior to commercial silicone TTs. CONCLUSIONS: Alginate TTs appear to be a good alternative to commercial tubes based on high mechanical strength and low occlusion propensity. Furthermore, unlike commercial TTs, alginate TTs have the potential to be dissolved in vivo if retained.
Herrero NA, Sherman EG, Adelson RT.
Analysis of flap tension in surgical rejuvenation of the midface: a cadaver study.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Feb;144(2):191-5
OBJECTIVE: To determine the flap tension present for 2 different surgical approaches for midface lifts and whether a gingivobuccal incision for release of the midface periosteum will diminish the resultant load on the midface flap. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study. SETTING: Anatomy laboratory at the University of Florida. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve fresh-frozen cadaver heads are subjected to a transblepharoplasty (TB) approach on one side of the cadaver head while a transtemporal (TT) approach is performed on the contralateral side. The tension (grams) generated by moving the midface flap a distance of 1.03 cm is recorded by a digital load cell. A gingivobuccal incision is made on each side to allow transoral periosteal release (TOPR) of the midface flap, and the experiment is repeated. Three trials are performed for each operation, and the average load is calculated. A paired t test is applied. RESULTS: The tension resulting from the TT approach (172 g) was not found to be significantly different from that of the TB approach (179 g; P = .75). Significant differences in the resultant tension were not appreciated when comparing standard techniques to TT with TOPR (141.5 g; P = .27) or for TB with TOPR (164.1 g; P = .45). DISCUSSION: An experimental method is described for determining flap tension in facial rejuvenation surgery. No significant difference is found between flap tensions generated in the TB and TT approaches to the midface.
Patel NA1, Sherman EG, Antonelli PJ.
Effect of tympanostomy tube surface on occlusion.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Jul;76(7):960-2
OBJECTIVE: Premature tympanostomy tube (TT) occlusion frequently leads to TT replacement surgery. TT surface preparations have been suggested as a means of reducing TT occlusion. The purpose of this study is to determine if commercial TT compositions or surface preparations impact the rate of TT occlusion using an in vitro model. METHODS: Commercial TTs composed of titanium, fluoroplastic, and silicone, as well as human serum albumin coated titanium, phosphorylcholine coated fluoroplastic, and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs, were tested for occlusion development in a previously validated in vitro model that simulates middle ear air and mucus flow. RESULTS: Time to occlusion was longer with all coated TTs relative to all uncoated TTs (p=0.038). Polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs had the lowest rate of occlusion and improvement relative to silicone (36% vs. 70%). Time to occlusion was longer in all coated TTs, but individually, none reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: TT composition and surface preparations do not dramatically impact the development of TT occlusion. All tested surface coatings seem to delay TT occlusion in this in vitro model. In vivo testing will be necessary to validate these findings.
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Presentations
Presentation
Jonathan Rischall, Ethan G. Sherman, Edith M. Sampson, Patrick J. Antonelli
Impact of Tympanostomy Tube Design on Rate of Occlusion
Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, October 4 to 7, 2009, San Diego, CA.
Presentation:
Ethan Glenn Sherman, Patrick J. Antonelli, Roger Tran-Son-Tay
Development of a biocompatible and dissolvable tympanostomy tube.
2008 BMES Annual Fall Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
Presentation:
Ethan Glenn Sherman
What SPICE has done for me.
Reitz Union, NSF Fellows Day. Fall 2007, University of Florida.
Lecture:
Ethan Glenn Sherman
Biomedical Engineering: Bridging the gap.
East Hall and CoE Division of Student Affairs Monthly Program Series. Spring 2006, University of Florida.
Poster:
Ethan Glenn Sherman, Patrick J. Antonelli, Roger Tran-Son-Tay
An ear flow chamber for studying tympanostomy tube occlusions.
2005 BMES Annual Fall Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
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Skills
ANALYTICAL EQUIPMENT:
Mechanical Testing (MTS), SEM (JEOL) and EDS Analysis, IR, DSC, TGA, Rheology, ZOI Testing, Data acquisition (DAQ), Pressure transducers, Instron Tension/Compression testing, custom mechanical testing devices, precision machining (mill, lathe, band saw), micropipette technique, optical microscopy, fluorescent microscopy
COMPUTER SOFTWARE:
ProE, Solid Works, Minitab Statistical Software, MTS Testworks, LabView, HTML, PHP, MySQL, CSS, Microsoft Office, Open Office, The GIMP, Photoshop
LABORATORY TECHNIQUES:
Hydrogel manufacture and manipulation, Zebrafish fluorescent staining, IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee), Mechanical testing, Cell culture, Cell manipulation (micropipette), Microfluidics, Sterile techniques
MUSIC:
Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone
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Teaching Experience
LAB MANAGER
Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology Lab (2007-Present)
Training/assistance of incoming graduate and undergraduate students
http://www.mae.ufl.edu/cellmech/
SPICE PROGRAM (GK-12 Program)
Science Partners in Inquiry Based Collaborative Education (2006-Present)
Developed and taught labs related to middle school science curriculum. NSF Fellowship : Bi-weekly instruction at Howard Bishop Middle School..
http://www.spice.centers.ufl.edu/
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
EGM 2511: Engineering Mechanics, Statics (2005)
Private tutor for a transfer student with a learning disability.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
EGM 1002: Introduction to Engineering (2004-2005)
Lectured on several sections
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
EGM 2511: Engineering Mechanics, Statics (2002-2004)
Teaching Assistant (TA), Lectured on several sections
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
EGM 3311: Introduction to Engineering Analysis, Diff. Eq. (2003)
Teaching Assistant (TA)
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, FL
Graduate/Undergraduate Research Students, Laboratory of Cellular Mechanics and Biorheology
Rushil Patel - 2009
Tammy Banh - 2009
Jonathan Rishall - 2009
Nimish Patel, MD - 2008
Robert Wagner - 2006
Kristina Finn - 2004-2005
Will Dreser - 2004
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Fellowships & Awards
Fellowship
NSF GK-12 Fellowship, 2 years (2006-2008)
University of Florida, SPICE Program "Science Partners in Inquiry Based Collaborative Education"
Graduate training program fostering inquiry-based learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Gainesville's under resourced middle schools.
http://www.spice.centers.ufl.edu/
Awards
Undergraduate/Graduate
University of Florida, Gainesville
Graduate Student Council Travel Award (2008)
BMES Student Travel Award (2008)
Presidents List (2005)
Tarr and/or Schwartz Family Foundation Scholarship (2005)
University of Florida Research Assistant (2002-2004)
UF Undergraduate Research and Design Competition. Second place (2002)