About Me
With 29 years’ experience, my research has centered on the design and fabrication of biomaterials for sustainable and biodegradable polymers and resins, including bioadhesives, tapes, coatings, and bioplastics such as polylactic acids. More recently, my work has shifted toward protein hydrogels, particularly synthetic peptide hydrogels that mimic the extracellular matrix for biomedical applications.
I am a pioneer in developing advanced peptide hydrogels for 3D cell cultures, long-term maintenance and 3D expansion of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), self-organized liver organoids derived from hiPSCs, and in vivo delivery systems.
Since joining WFIRM in October 2024, I have been deeply committed to advancing synthetic extracellular matrices for regenerative medicine applications. My work encompasses 3D cell culture and expansion, stem cell technologies, self-organized organoids, well-defined ECM bioinks for tissue engineering, and 3D in vitro as well as body-on-chip models.
I have supervised 39 graduate students (23 Ph.D. and 16 M.S.) and 27 post-doctoral research associates. Alongside my research team, I have authored over 230 peer-reviewed journal articles and hold 17 U.S. patents. My contributions to technology transfer and commercialization have been instrumental in bridging the gap between research and application. I am also the founder of PepGel LLC.
In recognition of my work, I was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in 2018, a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in 2016, and a University Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University since 2011.