Solenne Norvor-Davis

Biomedical engineering

Hometown: Chandler, Arizona, United States

Graduation date: Spring 2026

Health icon, disabled. A red heart with a cardiac rhythm running through it.

FURI | Fall 2024

Biomaterial-Mediated Controlled Release of Inflammasome Modulators for Diabetic Tissue Repair

Complex wounds are a significant health and economic burden affecting 1 in 38 adults in the U.S. at a $20 billion annual cost. Chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers exhibit delayed healing and increased risk of infection and amputation, and a 5-year survival of only 30% — the same as the average of all cancers. Sustained inflammasome-driven inflammation in diabetic wounds represents a druggable target to promote healing. This research project focuses on biomaterial engineering of silk fibroin-based wound dressings to generate a controlled, sustained release platform to deliver the inflammasome pathway inhibitor A438079 to augment healing in diabetic wounds.

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Featured project | Fall 2024

FURI student researcher Solenne Norvor-Davis conducts research into complex wound dressings.

Solenne Norvor-Davis integrated her passions for medicine and technology by pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. Now a junior, Norvor-Davis is conducting research in the FURI program with Jordan Yaron, an assistant professor of chemical engineering, to help expedite chronic and complex wound healing through the use of biomaterial dressings made of silk proteins.

What made you want to get involved in FURI? 

I chose to get involved in FURI because it provides valuable research experience that can be applied to industry, fostering innovation, independent thinking and problem-solving skills essential for my future research and development career.

Why did you choose the project you’re working on?

This project on biomaterials for diabetic tissue repair aligns with my passion for developing solutions to complex injuries, which remain a significant health care challenge despite millions of cases and substantial costs. Through high-level research, I also aim to open doors for further opportunities.

How will your research project impact the world?

My project aims to provide a novel solution for improving wound care, especially for patients with chronic wounds. By developing biomaterial-based treatments that expedite the healing process, we can reduce the strain on health care systems, improve patient quality of life and lower the risk of complications from chronic wounds. The potential impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes is significant, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the standard of care and addressing a critical unmet need in health care.

How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?

This experience has helped me realize that I want to pursue graduate school and a career in research. It has significantly enhanced my technical skills and critical thinking capabilities, which are essential for advancing in the field of engineering. By building a strong foundation in research, this experience is directly supporting my pursuit of an advanced degree and preparing me for future opportunities in research and development.

What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?

The best advice my mentor gave me was to always try. This taught me the value of taking initiative and reminded me that even negative results are meaningful. There’s always something to learn, even when things don’t go as planned, and this mindset has been crucial in helping me grow as a researcher.

Why should other students get involved in FURI?

Other students should get involved in this program because it offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on research experience and build skills that are highly attractive to employers. It’s a great way to meet fellow researchers, showcase your own work and add a unique project to your resume, which can set you apart from others. While class projects provide valuable experience, this program allows you to explore research in ways you normally wouldn’t, helping you better understand how research works. Having a funded project is a great advantage, whether or not you plan to pursue a graduate degree.

A slide under a microscope. An ASU FURI student looks at a specimen under a microscope with her faculty mentor. An ASU FURI student looks at a specimen with her mentor.

Sponsored project | Fall 2024

Solenne Norvor-Davis’ FURI project is sponsored by W. L. Gore & Associates.

W. L. Gore & Associates is a uniquely creative, product leadership enterprise that has served a variety of global markets for more than 60 years, and provides innovative solutions that its associates stand behind. Gore established funds to support undergraduate students in the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative program and graduate students in the Master’s Opportunity for Research in Engineering program, and values student-driven research and developing relationships with students in the programs.