Andre Montes, Ph.D.

Andre Montes, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Posts by Collection

portfolio

publications

Research seminar designed for undergraduate students builds confidence and access to research opportunities

Published in American Society for Engineering Education, 2022

We developed a semester-long seminar course for undergraduate students in the Mechanical Engineering Department at UC Berkeley to expose students to ongoing research, while providing a networking opportunity.

Recommended citation: Arevalo SE*, Montes AR* , O'Connell GD. (2022). "Research seminar designed for undergraduate students builds confidence and access to research opportunities." ASEE. 37513. http://dredremontes.github.io/files/ASEE-2022.pdf

Design of a flexing organ-chip to model in situ loading of the intervertebral disc

Published in Biomicrofluidics, 2022

We developed and modeled an organ-chip to emulate the mechanics of the annulus fibrosus within the intervertebral disc of the spine.

Recommended citation: McKinley JP*, Montes AR* , Wang MN, et al. (2022). "Design of a flexing organ-chip to model in situ loading of the intervertebral disc." Biomicrofluidics. 16 (054111). http://dredremontes.github.io/files/AoC_Biomicrofluidics.pdf

Multiscale Computational Framework to Investigate Integrin Mechanosensing and Cell Adhesion

Published in Journal of Applied Physics, 2023

Our framework leverages molecular dynamics simulations to investigate residues within integrin-fibronectin during stretching and the finite element method to visualize the whole-cell adhesion mechanics.

Recommended citation: Montes AR , Gutierrez G, Tepole AB, Mofrad MRK (2023). "Multiscale Computational Framework to Investigate Integrin Mechanosensing and Cell Adhesion." Journal of Applied Physics, 134 (114702). http://dredremontes.github.io/files/montes_multiscale_integrin_mechanosensing.pdf

Integrin Mechanosensing relies on Pivot-clip Mechanism to Reinforce Cell Adhesion

Published in Biophysical Journal, 2023

Our study integrates molecular and cellular-level modeling to propose that fibronectin's synergy site reinforces cell adhesion through enhanced binding properties and a mechanosensitive pivot-clip mechanism. This work sheds light on the intricate interplay between mechanical forces and cell-matrix interactions, contributing to our understanding of cellular behaviors in physiological and pathological contexts.

Recommended citation: Montes AR , Barroso A, Wang W, O'Connell GD, Tepole AB, Mofrad MRK (2024). "Integrin Mechanosensing relies on Pivot-clip Mechanism to Reinforce Cell Adhesion." Biophysical Journal http://dredremontes.github.io/files/pivot_clip_BJ.pdf

talks

teaching

Communications for Engineering Leaders

Graduate Student Instructor, UC Berkeley, Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership, 2020

This course trains Masters of Engineering students to write persuasive reports, deliver captivating presentations, and engage diverse stakeholders. I led discussions and mentored a diverse group of graduate students in becoming top notch leaders. I collaborated with instructors to plan, organize, and deliver the course curriculum. I held weekly office hours and evaluated assignments.

Introduction to Solid Mechanics

Graduate Student Instructor, UC Berkeley, Mechanical Engineering, 2021

This course introduces early undergraduates in mechanical and civil engineering to principles of solid mechanics. Topics include a review of equilibrium, truss structures, deformation, linear elasticity, bending, strain, stress, and buckling. I led two weekly discussion sections during the summer where I reviewed practice problems related to the weekly homework. I created two full practice midterms and a practice final. I recorded three exam review sessions to be shared with the class.

Finding Your Research Pathway

Instructor, UC Berkeley, Mechanical Engineering, 2021

This course is designed to assist undergraduate and early graduate students identify their research interests by exposing them to research talks in the Mechanical Engineering department. I organized 20 graduate students within Mechanical Engineering to present their work to 20 undergraduates throughout the semester. I also led weekly research discussions and gave a 15-minute research presentation.

Introduction to Engineering

Instructor, Columbia University, 2024

In this course, students gain exposure to one of the fastest growing fields today. From areas ranging from Mechanical Engineering to Biomedical Engineering, students are exposed to the growing number of disciplines within the field of engineering through guest lectures and group activities. The course also examines the professional ethics of engineering and evaluate accountability that engineers have to society and the environment. At the conclusion of this course, students will have an overall understanding of the engineering field, the different career paths available, and the ethics involved in the profession. For this course, I developed lesson plans, labs, and practice problem sets for two 3-week sessions. I introduced students to the exciting world of engineering through hands-on activities which included a force-sensing gripper, finite element simulations, and molecular dynamics.