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Contact Information
Summary
Madison Rivas is a Cisneros Scholar at GWU studying Psychological & Brain Sciences and Astrophysics, researching how osteocytes respond to specific mechanical loads and signaling proteins under fluid shear flow.
Research Statement
Madison’s research interests include bioengineering, biophysics, and aerospace medicine. Currently, she is analyzing the osteocyte response to microfluidic shear flow in in vitro systems, aiming to clarify how mechanical cues regulate bone quality.
Madison previously worked at Children’s National Hospital under the SCORE (Safe Concussion and Outcome Recovery & Education) Program under Dr. Gioia. She analyzed patient data points for ages 8-18 with concussion and mild TBI to find significant links between anxiety and depression and cognitive exertional symptoms, allowing her to inform recommendations for better integrated mental health interventions.
In the Hypersonic Lab at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Madison designed a free-flight parachute that was tested in the Ludewig Wind Tunnel at a speed of Mach 7.2. She analyzed wind flow and explored ways to reduce the effects of the aerodynamic boundary-layer bow shock wave on spacecraft.
Education
The George Washington University
B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences (2025-2029)
Experience
Student Researcher
Children’s National Hospital (2025-2026)
Student Researcher
University of Texas San Antonio (2026)