Education

• BS, Biochemistry (Honors), Indiana University, 1987
• MS, Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, 1989
• PhD, Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Purdue University, 1992

Research Interests

• Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials
• Extracellular Matrix
• Cell-Extracellular Matrix Biomechanics
• Mechanotransduction
• 3D Culture Systems
• Bioimaging and Image Analysis

Awards

• Outstanding Project Mentor, Weldon, School, Purdue University, 2025
• MIRA Award for BioCrossroads Life Sciences Innovation Team, 2025
• Outstanding Engineering Teacher, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 2024
• Impactful Inventor-U.S./International Patents With or Licensed to a Corporate Partner, Purdue College of Engineering, 2025
• Impactful Inventor, Purdue College of Engineering, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024
• Greenlight Guru MedTech Madness Competition Winner, GeniPhys, Inc., 2022
• Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2020
• University Faculty Scholar, Purdue University, 2016
• Women & Hi Tech Leading Light Award Nominee, 2016
• Research Excellence Award, Purdue University, 2016
• Fellow National Academy of Inventors, 2015
• Outstanding Commercialization Award for Purdue Faculty, 2015
• Purdue Innovator Hall of Fame Nominee, 2014
• Entrepreneurship Leadership Academy Scholar, Purdue University, 2014
• Outstanding Faculty Award, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association, 2013
• Discovery Park Research Fellow, Purdue University, 2013
• Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy Fellow, Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship and Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence, 2008-2009
• BME Faculty Service Award, Purdue University, 2005
• Manuscript Selected for Commentary, Journal of Applied Physiology, 2005
• Geddes-Laufman Greatbatch Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center, 1990-1991
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Graduation with Highest Distinction, Indiana University, 1987
• Outstanding Senior Award, American Institute of Chemists Student Research Foundation, INC, 1987
• All-American Collegiate Academic Award, 1987
• Merck Index Award, Indiana University Department of Chemistry, 1987
• Indiana University Senior Award (Top Biochemistry Major), 1987
• Harry G Day Summer Research Scholarship, 1986
• Indiana Hoosier Scholarship, 1984
• Oliver Storer Scholarship, 1983
• Aid Association for Lutherans Scholarship, 1983