Biography

Dr. Bradley Jay Willenberg received a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology concentrations, from the University of Florida. He then continued his studies at the University of Florida, earning a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Science. After graduation, Dr. Willenberg spent several years as a post-doc scientist and lecturer with the University of Florida.

Dr. Willenberg is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, both the Florida & American Mosquito Control Association, Materials Research Society, and Society for Biomaterials. He is active in the fields of mosquito research, novel biomaterials development, and tissue engineering. The UCF College of Medicine welcomed Dr. Willenberg in 2014. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Recent Publications and Patents

Peer-Reviewed Publications

    • “Aptamer–gold nanoparticle conjugates for the colorimetric detection of arboviruses and vector mosquito species,” Bosak, A., N. Saraf, A. Willenberg, M. W. C. Kwan, B. W. Alto, G. W. Jackson, R. H. Batchelor, T. D. Nguyen-Huu, V. Sankarapani, G. D. Parks, S. Seal and B. J. Willenberg (2019). RSC Advances 9(41): 23752-23763.
    • “A Low-Cost, Passive Release Device for the Surveillance and Control of Mosquitoes,” Kwan MWC, Bosak A, Kline J, Pita MA, Giel N, Pereira RM, Koehler PG, Kline DL, Batich CD, Willenberg BJ, Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(9): E1488-1494, April, 27, 2019.
    • “Multiplex Viral Detection Platform Based on a Aptamers-Integrated Microfluidic Channel,” Saraf N, Villegas M, Willenberg BJ, Seal S, ACS Omega, 4(1): 2234-2240, Jan 31, 2019.
    • “Bundling of axons through a capillary alginate gel enhances the detection of axonal action potentials using microelectrode arrays,” George DS, Anderson WA, Sommerhage F, Willenberg AR, Hines RB, Bosak AJ, Willenberg BJ,4, Lambert S, J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 13(3): 385-395, March 1, 2019.
    • “Capillary alginate gel (Capgel™) for the treatment of full-thickness dermal wounds in a hypoxic mouse model,” Alexander Bosak, Michael W. C. Kwan, Alicia Willenberg, Krista M. D. La Perle, David Weinstein, Robert B. Hines, Gregory S. Schultz, Edward A. Ross & Bradley J. Willenberg, International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, 68(18): 1108-1117, DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2018.1534112, Dec 10, 2018.
    • “Detection and quantification of trace airborne transfluthrin concentrations via air sampling and thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,” Kwan MWC, Weisenseel JP, Giel N, Bosak A, Batich CD, Willenberg BJ, J Chromatogr A, 1573: 156-160, Oct 26, 2018.
    • “Use of a Capillary Alginate Gel (Capgel™) to Study the Three-Dimensional Development of Sensory Nerves Reveals the Formation of A Rudimentary Perineurium,” Anderson WA, Willenberg AR, Bosak AJ, Willenberg BJ, Lambert S, J Neurosci Methods, 305: 46-53, Jul 15, 2018.
    • “Colorimetric detection of epinephrine using an optimized paper-based aptasensor,” Saraf N, Bosak A, Willenberg A, Das S, Willenberg BJ, Seal S, RSC ADVANCES, 7(77): 49133-49143, Oct 20, 2017.
    • “An injectable capillary-like microstructured alginate hydrogel improves left ventricular function after myocardial infarction in rats,” Rocca DG**, Willenberg BJ**, Qi Y**, Simmons CS, Rubiano A, Ferreira LF, Huo T, Petersen JW, Ruchaya PJ, Wate PS, Wise EA, Handberg EM, Cogle CR, Batich CD, Byrne BJ, Pepine CJ. Int J Cardiol., 220: 149-54, Oct 1, 2016.
    • “Evaluation of a bilayered, micropatterned hydrogel dressing for full-thickness wound healing,” Magin CM, Neale DB, Drinker MC, Willenberg BJ, Reddy ST, La Perle KM, Schultz GS, Brennan AB, Biol. Med., 2016.

Patents

  1. “Compositions for Neuromodulation of Mosquito Feeding Behavior and Uses Thereof,” Willenberg, Bradley, Willenberg, Alicia, Bosak, Alexander, US National Stage Patent Application #20190076556, Sep 11, 2018.
  2. “Passive Insect Surveillance Sensor Device,” Willenberg, Bradley, Seal, Sudipta, US National Stage Patent Application #20180231550, Aug 16, 2018.
  3. “Colorimetric Sensor Devices Using Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates for Field Surveillance of Mosquito-Borne Diseases,” Willenberg, Bradley, Seal, Sudipta, Provisional Patent Application # 62/556,643, Sept 11, 2017.
  4. “Apparatus and Methods for Blocking Needle and Cannula Tracts”, Malisa Sarntinoranont, Christopher Batich, Bradley Jay Willenberg, Erik Hagel, Louis C. Vazquez, United States Patent #9,629,943, April 2017.
  5. “Apparatus and Methods for Blocking Needle and Cannula Tracts”, Malisa Sarntinoranont, Chris Batich, Brad Willenberg, Erik Hagel, Louis C. Vazquez, United States Patent #9,370,626, June 2016.
  6. “Methods and Devices for Sustained Release of Substances”, BJ Willenberg, PG Koehler, CD Batich, GC Georgiades, Patent #9,258,988, Feb 2016.
  7. “Alginate gel scaffold having a plurality of continuous parallel microtubular copper capillaries” CD Batich, BJ Willenberg, T Hamazaki, N Terada, United States Patent #7,601,525, Oct 2009.

Education & Specialties

  • BS, Interdisciplinary Studies: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
  • PhD, Biomedical Engineering: Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering & College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Specialties

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Biomaterials

 

Research Interests 

  • Mosquito surveillance and control
  • Design, development, and characterization of nano-partical-based mosquito detection and control tools
  • Novel Biomaterial tissue scaffolds: Decellularized organ scaffolds and Capillary alginate gel (Capgel) regenerative medicine platforms