Leipzig Bioengineering Group

Biography

I graduated in Spring 2019 from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s in Microbiology. I moved on to work for Frontage Laboratories, CRO, where I was focused primarily in Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, and Genetic Toxicology. I validated various assays for Frontage, including the in vitro, in human lymphoblastoid cells, and in vivo, in rat and mouse, micronucleus assay, as well as the bacterial reverse mutation assay. In Fall 2020, I joined the Leipzig laboratory as an Integrated Bioscience student. My research focuses primarily on infection in wound healing, with an emphasis on matrix biology. Outside of the lab, I have a horse named Autumn and a cat named Tempi that I enjoy spending time with. I also run an equine photography business in my free time.

Education

B.A. in Microbiology, 2015-2019, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH.

Publications/Book Chapters

1. Durr, H. A., Abri, S., Salinas, S. D., Adkins-Travis, K., Amini, R., Shriver, L. P., & Leipzig, N. D. (2025). Extracellular matrix repair and organization of chronic infected diabetic wounds treated with MACF hydrogels. Acta Biomaterialia. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2025.04.062 
2. McClain A, Jindal A, Durr H, Puskas J, Leipzig ND. In vivo Release of Zafirlukast from Electrospun Polyisobutylene-based Fiber Mats to Reduce Capsular Contracture of Silicone Breast Prostheses. 2024. ACS Applied Bio Materials. 2024 Jul 15;7(7):4442-4453. doi: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00341.
3. Abri S, Durr H, Barton HA, Adkins-Travis K, Shriver LP, Pukale DD, Fulton JA, Leipzig ND. Multifunctional Antibacterial Oxygenating Hydrogels for Managing Chronic, Infected Diabetic Wounds. 2024. Biomaterials Science . 2024. Jun 25;12(13):3458-3470. doi: 10.1039/d4b.
4. Durr H, Leipzig ND. Advancements in Bacteriophage Therapies and Delivery for Bacterial Infection, Materials Advances, 4:1249-1257, 2023. DOI: 10.1039/d2ma00980c

Awards

Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award at 2022 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting

Conference Papers

1. Durr HA, Leipzig ND. In vitro Human Skin Equivalent Modeling of Bacteriophage Delivering Oxygenating MACF Hydrogels. University of Akron Graduate Research Day, April 9, 2025. Akron, OH. Poster Presentation.
2. Durr HA, Leipzig ND. Bacteriophage Delivering Oxygenating MACF Hydrogels for Targeted Antibacterial Action in Diabetic Wound Healing. BMES Annual Conference, October 25, 2024, Baltimore, MD. Oral Presentation.
3. Durr HA, Abri S, Salinas S, Amini R, Leipzig ND. Understanding Impacts of Collagen Organization and Infection Remediation in an Infected Diabetic Wound Model Treated with a Novel Oxygenating and Antibacterial Hydrogel. Society for Biomaterials, Case Western Reserve University. November 11, 2023 Cleveland, OH. Oral Presentation.
4. Durr HA, Abri S, Salinas S, Amini R, Leipzig ND. Understanding impacts of collagen organization in an infected diabetic wound model treated with a novel oxygenating and antibacterial hydrogel. SB3C 2023 Conference. June 4-8, 2022 Vail, CO. Oral Presentation.
5. Durr HA, Abri S, Salinas S, Amini R, Leipzig ND. Mechanical Strength and organization of collagen matrix of infected diabetic wound tissue improved by oxygenating and antibacterial MACF hydrogel dressing therapy. TERMIS 2023 Annual Meeting. April 11-14, 2023 Boston, MA. Oral Presentation.
6. Abri S, Durr HA, Leipzig ND. Oxygenating and antibacterial MACF hydrogel dressings reduce infection on an infected diabetic wound model. TERMIS 2022 Annual Meeting. July 10-13, 2022 Toronto ON. Poster.
7. Abri S, Durr HA, Leipzig ND. Oxygenating and antibacterial MACF hydrogel dressings reduce infection on an infected diabetic wound model. Society for Biomaterials 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition. April 27-30, 2022, Baltimore, MD. Oral Presentation. (Travel Award)