Evaluating Tissue Nanotransfection as a Treatment Response for Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Nikolina Racic is a third-year Biomedical Engineering student and Engineering Honors student at The Ohio State University, as well as a Choose Ohio First Advancing an Inclusive Biotech Economy in Ohio (IBEO) Scholar. Through her coursework and research experiences, she has developed a strong interest in biomedical research and medical innovation, with a particular interest in gene therapy and regenerative medicine. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and continue working toward the development of translational therapies. In August 2025, Nikolina began conducting research in Dr. Daniel Gallego-Perez’s Nanomedicine Research Laboratory at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on developing non-viral gene delivery strategies for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), utilizing extracellular vesicles and tissue nanotransfection. Through this work, she has gained experience in techniques including RNA and DNA isolation, Western blotting, tissue sectioning and staining, microscopy, and image analysis. She has also contributed to research applications and ongoing manuscripts and presented her work at the Undergraduate Engineering Research Forum, where she received an honorable mention for her research poster. This experience has strengthened her passion for translational biomedical research and her interest in developing innovative therapies for complex diseases.
Impact of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program
"The Choose Ohio First Scholarship has provided me with opportunities to become more connected to the Ohio State University community and further develop my academic and professional interests. Through the IBEO program, I have been able to connect with other students who share similar interests in biomedical engineering and biotechnology while gaining access to resources and experiences that have supported my growth as a student. The program has also encouraged me to pursue meaningful work-based learning experiences, including my research in the Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, where I have been able to apply concepts from my coursework to real-world biomedical research. Overall, COFS has helped me build a stronger foundation for my future career while giving me a supportive community and opportunities to explore my interests beyond the classroom."
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