People

Barry Trimmer

Neuromechanics and Biomimetic Devices Lab
Tufts University
200 College Ave., Tsungming Tu Complex 230
Medford, MA 02155

Office: 617-627-3924

Faculty Profile Email Dr. Trimmer

Florence Yunan Qian

Bio
Flo graduated from Smith College with a double major in biochemistry and psychology. Flo’s honors thesis, completed in Professor Sarah Moore’s lab, characterized the anticancer effects of an engineered fibronectin type III (Fn3) protein targeting the tumor biomarker mesothelin.

When the weather is kind and the experiments cooperate, Flo enjoys hiking and listening to nature’s symphony. Off the trail, Flo is just as captivated by a good musical, from overture to curtain call.

Research
Flo is a PhD candidate in the Trimmer Lab studying how neural circuits transform sensory information into context-dependent behavior, with a current focus on nociception in Manduca sexta. Flo investigates whether differential recruitment of parallel interneuronal pathways explains distinct motor responses to comparable nociceptive input, and how stimulus history and behavioral state modulate peripheral encoding and central integration.

This work combines electrophysiology, machine learning–based analyses, and method development for calcium imaging and virally mediated optogenetic manipulation. Broader interests include the translation of sensorimotor principles into biologically inspired robotic control and circuit degeneracy: how different circuit configurations can produce indistinguishable output patterns.

Julia Birnbaum

Jules is a PhD student in biology rotating in the Trimmer Lab this semester, bringing substantial research experience from their work in the Griffith Lab at Brandeis University.

Maheen Ali

Bio
Maheen grew up in Queens, New York, and is a master’s student in biology at Tufts University. Maheen earned a BS in biopsychology and biotechnology in 2026. Broad interests include neuropsychology and human pathology, particularly how manipulation of neural systems can alter behavior across organisms. Maheen plans to pursue a PhD after completing the master’s degree. The long-term goal is to work in the biotechnology industry, applying neuroscience-driven research to develop translational tools and technologies that address neurological disease and dysfunction.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Maheen collects electromyographic (EMG) recordings across different substrates to inform a virtual model of the Manduca sexta proleg and investigate morphological computation. Earlier work included serving as a research technician on the transgenic M. sexta project, maintaining transgenic and wild-type colonies to support consistent husbandry and experimental reliability. Maheen subsequently contributed to nociception experiments linking site-specific stimulation with behavioral responses. Research experience also includes developing implantation procedures to facilitate cell extraction and growth, examine immune responses to implanted materials, and characterize cell viability and proliferation.

Jiyun Jiang

Bio
Jiyun is a master’s student in biology at Tufts University and holds a degree in ACS-certified chemistry and cognitive brain science. Jiyun’s research interests include neurobiology and chemosensory systems.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Jiyun investigates how allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) affects the central and peripheral nervous systems of Manduca sexta and whether exposure elicits nocifensive behavior. Broader interests include systems biology, computational analysis, and their interdisciplinary applications.

Cheryl Kirgan

Bio
Cheryl is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and is a master’s student in biology at Tufts University. Cheryl completed undergraduate studies in biology and computer science, with a minor in studio art, in 2026.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Cheryl studies the modulation of nociception in Manduca sexta larvae, focusing on the lateral branch of the dorsal nerve. Current work involves using lipophilic tracers, dextran-based dyes, and fluorescence imaging to trace peripheral gamma-group multidendritic neurons and investigate their potential role as nociceptors. Cheryl has also contributed substantially to optimizing the semi-intact preparation to enable simultaneous electrophysiological recordings and behavioral measurements.

Since joining the lab, Cheryl has played an important role in animal colony care and maintenance and the preparation of essential laboratory reagents. These contributions support experiments across the research team and help sustain the lab’s day-to-day operations.

Lilianne Iglesias

Bio
Lili is an incoming medical student at Tufts University School of Medicine, beginning in fall 2026. Lili grew up in Miami, Florida, and graduated from Tufts University in 2026 with a BS in biochemistry. Clinical interests center on neurosurgery, particularly minimally invasive spinal cord procedures.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Lili works on the DARPA Hybrids project, which focuses on integrating living tissue with engineered materials to develop biohybrid systems. Recent work with Professor Trimmer involves dissecting Manduca sexta larvae and implanting silk–carbon nanotube scaffolds to examine larval responses and the biocompatibility of engineered materials in vivo. Within this project, Lili is particularly interested in muscle tissue growth and the development of biocompatible conductive materials.

Chris Kwon

Bio
Chris is a junior majoring in biochemistry at Tufts University and has received early admission to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Chris is interested in comparative animal physiology. 

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Chris studies developmental changes in Manduca sexta during metamorphosis and is keen to learn electrophysiological recording and sequencing techniques. Outside the lab, Chris enjoys climbing and going to the beach.

Joshua Levy

Bio
Joshua is a member of Tufts University’s Class of 2027, studying biology and environmental geology. Joshua’s scientific interests lie in evolution and paleontology, particularly how movement has changed over time.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Joshua studies the development and evolution of Manduca prolegs and their role in the neuromechanics of locomotion. Joshua’s current research explores the relationship between sensory feedback and movement, including the role of planta hairs in gait expression and the effects of removing sensory feedback. This work combines hands-on experiments with caterpillars and electromyographic (EMG) recordings.

Alexander Mayerhofer

Bio
Alex is from San Francisco, California, and is a Tufts/SMFA undergraduate pursuing a BS in biology and a BFA. Alex’s interests include assistive technology, information design, biomimetic robotics, and the neuromechanics of locomotion.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Alex studies gait expression in soft-bodied organisms such as caterpillars. By disabling selected prolegs in Manduca sexta, Alex models the functional effects of proleg arrangements found across species to understand how embodied mechanical programming interacts with neural timing to produce reliable gaits in deformable organisms. Alex is also building a soft robot to model the neuromechanical interactions that produce locomotion in limbed, soft-bodied organisms. 

This work has implications for understanding motor control across the tree of life and improving soft-robotic design and control, with potential relevance to understanding and treating neuromechanical disease in humans.

Catherine Pralle

Bio
Katie grew up in Wayland, Massachusetts, and is a sophomore at Tufts University studying mechanical and biomedical engineering. Katie’s interests lie in biomechanics and biological devices.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Katie uses mesh-modeling software to develop models of the Manduca sexta proleg for 3D printing and subsequent biomechanical analysis.

Finley Ketcham

Bio
Finn is a member of the Class of 2029 studying mechanical and electrical engineering. Finn’s interests include assistive technologies, particularly prosthetics and exoskeletons, as well as remotely operated and autonomous vehicles and control systems.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Finn is part of the MONOLITh robot team, contributing to the development of the robot’s control system. This work focuses on controlling the robot’s movement and integrating capabilities for autonomous operation.

Bo Pilarczyk

Bio
Bo is an undergraduate at Tufts University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering. She serves as president of the Tufts chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and has industry experience at Medtronic. Bo also supports undergraduate teaching as a learning assistant in electronics and controls, following earlier work as a physics learning assistant.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Bo is part of the MONOLITh robot team. Her broader engineering interests include hands-on prototyping, electromechanical systems, and medical device design, with the goal of developing technologies that improve patient care.

Alexander Robbins

Bio
Alex is an undergraduate studying mechanical engineering and applied mathematics at Tufts University. His interests include control systems, autonomous systems, and product design.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Alex has worked with the MONOLITh robot team on control systems, autonomy research, and prototype design for biomimetic soft robots.
 

Ethan Rosenbaum

Bio
Ethan is an undergraduate studying mechanical engineering and a member of the Tufts Robotics Club. His interests include robotics, mechatronics, industrial automation, manufacturing, and the design of prosthetics and medical devices. He aims to combine creative design and quantitative analysis to develop technologies that improve people’s quality of life.

Research
In the Trimmer Lab, Ethan helps lead robotic systems development for MONOLITh, a bioinspired soft crawling robot with potential applications in disaster response. His work includes redesigning the robot’s tendon drive and pulley system to improve locomotion and reduce weight, using SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design. He also develops subsystem validation tests and analyzes performance data in MATLAB to evaluate the robot’s movement under conditions relevant to real-world use.