"Elucidating structure-property relationships of embryonic tendon to inform adult healing strategies" with Catherine Kuo, University of Maryland (In-Person Seminar)
Title: Elucidating structure-property relationships of embryonic tendon to inform adult healing strategies
Speaker: Catherine Kuo, University of Maryland
Hosted by: Jeffery Klauda & Arpita Upadhyaya
Abstract: Tendons play critical roles in skeletal movement and stability, yet when injured are incapable of restoring native functional properties through healing. Our research program aims to advance tendon regenerative medicine strategies by identifying critical physicochemical regulators of embryonic tendon mechanobiology. In particular, characterizations of structure-property relationships of embryonic tendons have identified key regulators of tendon formation that may serve as therapeutic targets for adult tendon regeneration. We are also studying the mechanobiology of embryonic tendon development with the goal of developing in utero interventions to prevent and treat congenital musculoskeletal birth deformities.
Biography: Catherine K. Kuo is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. She also holds an appointment in the Department of Orthopaedics in the School of Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has received multiple honors and awards including the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)-GoLife Innovation in Research Award, Emerging Investigator Award by Stem Cell Research and Therapy, March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award, and NSF CAREER Award. Her research has been continuously funded by the NIH, DoD, NSF, the March of Dimes Foundation, and industry. Dr. Kuo is an elected fellow of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE, Class of 2019) and was elected to the Council for the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society of Americas (TERMIS-AM) in 2020. Dr. Kuo will assume the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Wiley publication) on January 1, 2022. She also serves on the ORS Publications Advisory Board for the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, and on multiple editorial boards of major journals in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, biomaterials, orthopaedics, and biomedical engineering. She received her B.S.E. in materials science and engineering and Ph.D. in biomaterials and macromolecular science and engineering from the University of Michigan and did her postdoctoral studies at the NIH in the Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch.