Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
2025 George W. Laird Merit Fellowship

Mikayla Jackson, M.S.

(she/her/hers)

Mikayla Jackson received a Master of Science from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware in Spring 2026. She graduated in 2024 from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. During her time at UVA, she worked in the Make to Learn Lab with the Department of Human Development and Education, where she helped develop a 3D-printed Open Science Hardware microscope. She also participated in the Harvard SEAS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in the Mooney and Freedman Labs, focusing on hydrogels for modulating the immune response and cartilage repair.

In the Oakes Lab, Mikayla helped launched the initial setup of the lab alongside Dr. Oakes and Lauren Porter. This included installing equipment and growing up initial innate immune cell line stocks for immunoengineering studies. She also worked on computer-aided (CAD) microneedle array designs for drug delivery.

Outside of the lab, Mikayla enjoys crochet, watching movies, reading books, spending time at the beach, and mentoring students through the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).