Rebecca Reals

Rebecca Reals is pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.  She graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University in May 2021, where she earned a degree in Bioengineering with a concentration in Cell & Tissue Engineering and a minor in Mathematics.  While at Northeastern, she welcomed first-year students to the College of Engineering as a Peer Mentor and introduced high school students to the engineering design process by teaching classes with engaging activities.   She has worked in both industry settings and academic labs, and has contributed to research in a wide variety of areas including osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy, hematological cancers, lysosomal storage disorders, and thoracic aortic aneurysms.  At WashU, she works in Dr. Spencer Lake’s Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Lab studying the mechanics of elbow stiffness and contracture in traumatic injuries.  In her free time, she enjoys running, playing video games with friends, and watching her favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.