Wengrowski earns GWU’s first biomed Ph.D.

Anastasia Marie Antoinette Wengrowski of Madison earned the first doctorate degree in biomedical engineering ever presented at George Washington University. (CONTRIBUTED)
Anastasia Marie Antoinette Wengrowski of Madison earned the first doctorate degree in biomedical engineering ever presented at George Washington University. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – A Madison resident has earned the first doctorate degree in biomedical engineering ever presented at George Washington University (GWU) in Washington D.C.

Anastasia Marie Antoinette Wengrowski of Madison passed her final examination in March. She received her doctorate degree for the Hood Ceremony at GWU on May 14 and participated in the engineering commencement on May 15.

Wengrowski’s dissertation, “Overcoming the Physiological Limitations of Ex Vivo Heart Preparations,” was approved in early May and was published on May 17.

“‘Ex vivo’ means the heart is removed and injected with chemicals to keep it beating during experiments,” her father Bruno Wengrowski said. Anastasia’s mother is Mary Wengrowski.

“Anastasia had to remove mouse, rat and rabbit hearts without damage to the organ. Some hearts keep beating up to three hours once removed from the animal,” Bruce Wengrowski said.

In 2007, she graduated from Catholic High School in Huntsville. She compiled a 4.26 GPA, was elected as homecoming queen and was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club and the tennis team.

Wengrowski received a full academic scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She majored in biomedical engineering, with a minor in mathematics. She graduated summa cum laude with a 3.91 GPA and completed the five-year program in 2011.

At GWU, she received a Merit Presidential Fellowship and was the first doctoral candidate to complete the biomedical engineering program. She won four technical competitions. In Hilo, Hawaii, Wengrowski instructed a seminar on light-activation of cardiac sympathetic neurons and its increase in pressure and heart rate.

In addition, Wengrowski has co-authored five professional, published papers.

In high school, Wengrowski was ranked 25th among tennis players in Alabama. For recreation, she continues to play tennis and runs marathons and half-marathons. She is a member of the UAB Alumni Association.

Now that Wengrowski has received her doctorate degree, she tentatively has accepted a position with the Food and Drug Administration in Maryland.

Madison

MVP names Madison Visionary Award recipients

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

x