Tommy Fu

I am working under the guidance of Dr. Tony Mikos in the Bioengineering department on bone regeneration research. In our lab, my supervising TA’s Balu, Charlie Xi and I synthesize the polymer PPF-DA and combine it with Sodium Chloride to create a solid composite. After we have given the composite samples a chance to harden under heat, we leach them of the salt, leaving only the porous polymer shell. We perform numerous tests to determine what the idea ratio of polymer to salt. Ultimately, our goal is to create a material that can be used as a scaffold for new bone tissue to grow onto. In combining our polymer with carbon nanotubes, we hope our composite will break new ground in the realm of strength and durability. Our research is fueled by the hope that one day, such a durable scaffold material may both decrease the prevalence of injuries related to bone and expedite its healing process.

My name is Tommy Fu and I am currently a freshman at Baker College. I was born in Shanghai, China and after immigrating here at the age of five, I moved all over the United States. I attended Union Endicott High School in Endicott, New York where I played basketball, headed the student government, and graduated 8th in my class.

I am a Sports Medicine major in the field of Kinesiology. For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the ability of the human body to function as a complex machine, especially in the realm of sports. Over the summer, I will be interning at either the Kinesiology lab at the University of Connecticut or with the 2008 Olympic Committee at the University of Birmingham in England, one of the top labs in the world. I would like to go to Medical School after obtaining my B.A. from Rice but not necessarily to become a physician. To me, it is more of another stepping stone to helping me become as knowledgeable as I’d like to be in the field of human anatomy and biomechanics. To me, its more about becoming the best at something that truly excites me than about building the picture perfect future.

As an inherently curious person, the opportunity for Research offered by the Century Scholars Program was definitely one of the main things that brought me to Rice. Unlike many other top universities, Rice presented me with the chance to immediately delve into research as a freshman. In a sense, it built a relationship between me and the university by illustrating the leap of faith they were taking in me. Since becoming a Rice undergrad, the Century Scholars Program has coordinated special events such as operas and luncheons for us throughout the year. More than just a formality, these events show that they actually care about us and the progress we are making. Overall, the chance to witness and take part in breakthrough research has opened additional doors for me in terms of getting to know other leading scientists and the fundamental lab procedures that will help anyone with hopes of seeking a career in science.