LATROBE, PA – Christian James “CJ” Ciecierski, C’24, currently pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), completed an internship over the summer in a biomechanics lab where he applied his engineering background to testing the mechanical properties of different ligaments and nerves.
Ciecierski’s interest in engineering began with a houseful of LEGOs and limitless curiosity. Growing up in a Murrysville homestead with acreage, the standout Saint Vincent College alumni spent his childhood building elaborate creations and designing forts in the woods and across streams while using whatever materials he could find outdoors.
By the time Ciecierski reached Franklin Regional High School, he joined its FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition team as his creative drive evolved. Building a functioning robot from scratch and competing at a high-level ignited Ciecierski’s passion for engineering.
“Around the same time, my grandfather was diagnosed with a rare heart disease and entered as a first human trial participant for new ablation techniques at Duke University Hospital,” Ciecierski said. “His cardiologist, who was both a physician and an engineer developing a new ablation device, showed me the powerful intersection of medicine and engineering, an intersection I immediately knew I wanted to be part of.”
As Ciecierski prepared to graduate from Franklin Regional in 2020, he was also engaged in a “winding and unexpected journey” that ended with him becoming a Saint Vincent College Bearcat. After exploring a wide range of campuses and programs, Ciecierski’s decision to take an Early Acceptance Program spot at LECOM shaped his search for the right undergraduate institution. Needing a strong affiliate school, he also sought out a program that felt personal and supportive as he navigated his academic path.
“From the moment I stepped onto campus, I felt an overwhelming sense of community and warmth,” Ciecierski said of his first Saint Vincent College visit. “It simply felt like home.”
That evening, after leaving dinner with Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, president of the College, Ciecierski knew he belonged at Saint Vincent for the next four years.
He entered as a biochemistry major fully expecting to attend medical school and later circle back for an engineering degree since no postsecondary education institutions offered both programs together.
“During my second semester, a tiny voice kept saying, ‘CJ, I think you can fit in both degrees if you take summer classes,” Ciecierski recalled. “My advisor, Dr. Matthew Fisher, I’m sure initially thought I was crazy … but he never told me, ‘No.’”
Fisher, a professor of chemistry within the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing at SVC, explained the caveats and scheduling issues that would be present, but with each scheduling meeting, it became clear that “anything is possible,” Ciecierski said, “if you work hard enough.”
Despite being a double major, Ciecierski somehow managed to find time to excel as a four-year starter on the Bearcat football team, as vice president of the Student Government Association and as an Orientation Committee member.
Some of his most meaningful experiences at the College came from professors who shaped not only Ciecierski’s academic development but also his confidence as a future engineer and medical professional. He recalled a Mechanics of Materials class taught by Dr. Adam Wood, assistant professor of engineering in the Boyer School. The coursework pushed Ciecierski to connect small, foundational ideas to larger, more complex systems.
In Automatic Control Systems taught by Dr. Michael Robinson, an assistant professor of engineering in the Boyer School, Ciecierski learned how theoretical concepts of engineering translate into real-world applications, which strengthened his diagnostic thinking.
In a biochemistry course with Fisher as instructor, Ciecierski recalls being challenged in the best way as he developed a deep appreciation for biochemical processes.
“My biochemistry capstone, supported by the entire Chemistry Department, was another defining experience. It taught me how to think like a researcher and gave me a sense of belonging in the scientific community,” Ciecierski said. “Presenting my final project and being met with genuine curiosity, thoughtful questions and congratulations from my professors made me feel less like a student and more like a colleague.”
The biochemistry and mechanical engineering double major graduated from Saint Vincent College in May 2024 before advancing to LECOM.
“Whether it was divine intervention or the incredible support from both the biochemistry and engineering departments, you can in fact complete both degrees at Saint Vincent in four years,” Ciecierski said. “This unique combination has given me an incredible foundation and a leg up in medical school, especially as I prepare for residency.”
Ciecierski’s preparation for his future career continued over the summer as he worked on two major projects in the Biomechanics Research Laboratory at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Having reached out to Wood for advice, the Boyer School professor within hours put Ciecierski in touch with the lab’s director, Dr. Mark C. Miller, who also serves as an adjunct associate professor in the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. That outreach helped provide the SVC alumnus with an incredible research experience.
“It is fantastic to see our alumni apply their engineering education to cutting-edge research in the field of biomechanics,” Wood said. “Christian is an incredible person with a very bright future ahead of him.”
The first project focused on understanding how different staining and hydration patterns influence the mechanical properties of tendons, specifically how much force they can withstand. Although researchers conducted testing on cow knee tendons, the broader goal was to translate this understanding to human tendons and ligaments to improve orthopedic research related to joint stress, injury patterns and potential repair strategies.
“In this project, I assisted with the dissection of tendons and operated the force testing equipment,” Ciecierski said.
The second project aimed to virtually map the curvature and torsion of the ulnar nerve using a robotic arm paired with an ultrasound machine, collecting positional data as the arm moved through various degrees of flexion. Because ulnar neuropathy is the second-most common neuropathy, researchers’ goals were to explore whether this method could improve diagnostic accuracy or inform surgical decision-making.
“For this work, I helped develop processing code to integrate robot and ultrasound data, wrote image-analysis code for the ultrasound scans, and was responsible for locating and tracking the ulnar nerve in real time,” Ciecierski said.
As the summer research experience likely would not have come to fruition without Wood’s assistance, Ciecierski said it’s another reason why he’s come to appreciate just how powerful genuine connections are.
“Relationships with peers, professors and mentors can open doors, offer support and shape who you become,” he said. “And above all, SVC taught me to live in the moment and push life to the fullest, embracing every opportunity with gratitude and enthusiasm. These lessons continue to guide me well beyond my time as a Bearcat.”
While Ciecierski is just in his second year as a medical student at LECOM, he’s already hoping to one day continue the tradition of using his talents and experiences to support future Bearcats as they grow professionally.
“The impact that mentorship and guidance can have is truly immeasurable, and I want to give back in the same way so many at Saint Vincent College poured into me,” he said. “‘Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.’ It may sound cliché, but in my experience, it couldn’t be truer.”
