ChBE Department Updates - May 23, 2025

Dear ChBE colleagues, alumni and friends,

In this spring edition of our alumni newsletter, I’d like to highlight the global impact of our department’s research on the future of medicine and pharmaceuticals. Our research teams continue to push the boundaries of innovation in ways that have the potential to change lives.

Distinguished Professor Kristi Anseth’s pioneering work in tissue engineering is shaping the future of regenerative medicine by creating materials that help the body heal itself. Also innovating in healing, Professor Jason Burdick is developing advanced materials to help repair heart tissues, with potential applications like drug-delivering heart bandages. Burdick was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in October.

Assistant Professor Laurel Hind’s research could lead to more precise treatments for diseases like cancer and fibrosis by uncovering how physical changes in tissues affect immune responses and identifying new therapeutic targets. Associate Professor Jerome Fox is exploring enzyme-powered chemical networks—research that could revolutionize the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals through more efficient, biocatalytic systems. 

Meanwhile, PhD student Paula Pranda is developing engineered adhesives with potential applications in medical devices and beyond. Undergraduate student Arianna McCarty is exploring how Prevotella bacteria may help reduce infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of pneumonia, potentially offering a new angle in the fight against respiratory disease.

In the realm of sustainability, PhD student Annette Thompson is investigating alternative methods for producing everyday products—like medicines and fuels—without relying on petroleum-based processes. 

Best regards,

Ryan Hayward
Department Chair