Biomaterials to Control & Probe Cell Behavior: A Journey from Blood Vessels to Women’s Reproductive Health

Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/11/2021
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location
Virtual via Zoom

Joyce Wong, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

Virtual via Zoom & projected in MSB 6120

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Biomaterials science and engineering is a powerful approach for interrogating and dissecting normal physiological tissue development and pathophysiological disease progression. One can build model in vitro systems to investigate the effects of composition, structural organization, and resultant scaffold properties on cell and tissue function and apply this knowledge toward understanding normal developmental processes and disease progression. In this talk, I will give a few examples of how the study of cell-biomaterial interactions can be exploited for addressing clinical challenges including pediatric vascular tissue engineering and theranostics for detecting and treating abdominal surgical adhesions. I will end by discussing my deliberate shift of my research program towards addressing challenges and unmet needs in women’s reproductive health.

Bio:

Dr. Joyce Y. Wong is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at Boston University. She is a Fellow of the NAI, AAAS, AIMBE, BMES, and IAMBE. She was recently elected President-Elect of AIMBE. Her research focuses on developing biomaterials for the early detection and treatment of disease. Her current projects include pediatric bioengineered blood vessel patches, ultrasound contrast agents to detect and treat abdominal surgical adhesions, and most recently, development of biomaterial systems for women’s reproductive health. She has published over 115 peer-reviewed publications, 11 pending or issued patents, and has mentored over 100 trainees. In 2017 she received the Charles DeLisi Distinguished Lecture and Award, the highest honor in Boston University’s College of Engineering. In 2020, she received the Clemson Award for Basic Research from the Society for Biomaterials. She is currently Deputy Editor for Science Advances and an Associate Editor of Stem Cell Research & Therapy. In 2014, as the Inaugural Director of a Boston University Provost Initiative promoting women in STEM at all levels from K-12 to faculty, she launched ARROWS (Advance, Recruit, Retain & Organize Women in STEM). She also led Boston University’s Bronze Award for AAAS SEA (STEM Equity Achievement) Change and is part of the BU team recently awarded a NIH Prize for Enhancing Faculty Gender Diversity from the Office of Research on Women’s Health.