Looking for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine PhD programs

I am a senior Biomedical Engineering student at VCU with a specialization in Biomechanics, Biomaterials and electives in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine mainly. I am interested in PhD programs on the East coast preferably that fit my specifications:
Purpose: To assess the mitochondrial genetics and biophysics in regenerating tissues to develop future techniques or medicines.
GPA: 3.0*
GRE: Q:157 V:158 E: TBD
Publications: 1 Publication pending on a Transdisciplinary research project (co-author), 1 publication in experimental phase on Mitochondrial Gene therapy funded by NIH (1st author) and I am attempting to produce another publication by graduation in a Regenerative Medicine laboratory on campus under a professor who teaches my electives.
Other: Producing a capstone device
Created a museum exhibit with 7 other engineering students and 8 art students on the importance of mitochondrial health
Will have 3 strong recommendations.

*GPA is low due to heavy illness from the ages of 14-20, the illness persists but is contained.

I have seen a few programs at UPenn, Thomas Jefferson University and Pittsburgh as well as VCU and Wake Forest. However I am concerned that my application may be overlooked due to GPA.

Thanks.

If you are interested in stem cells and regenerative medicine, the University of Wisconsin should be on your list, even though it isn’t on the East Coast.