Faculty & Staff
Kristen L. Billiar
Associate Professor
Faculty Listing
Office: Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, 4007
Phone: +1-508-831-5384
Fax: +1-508-831-5541
kbilliar@wpi.edu
Related Information
Educational Background
- B.S., Cornell University, 1991
- M.S.E., University of Pennsylvania, 1992
- Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1998
Research & Teaching Interests
Biomechanics of soft tissues and biomaterials; wound healing; tissue growth and development; functional tissue engineering and regenerative; medicine
IQP Advising Interests
Impact of new technologies
Research
Our research goal is to broaden the understanding of the influence of mechanical stimulation on the growth, development, and healing of connective tissues. We utilize engineered three-dimensional constructs as model systems to study the effect of multiaxial stimulation on the cell physiology, matrix biochemistry, and biomechanics of soft tissues and biomaterials. Changes in cell phenotype are assessed by physiological, histological, and biochemical markers. Biomechanical evaluation includes sub-failure and failure micro-mechanical characterization and constitutive modeling. We are also studying the mechanics and composition of native collagenous connective tissues and how they are affected by processing prior to being used as implantable biomaterials. Knowledge gained from these studies will be applied to the study of normal and pathological tissue growth and development, wound healing, and the creation of bioartificial tissues in vitro (i.e., functional tissue engineering and regenerative medicine). Keywords: soft tissue mechanics, biomechanics, biomaterials, biopolymer, biaxial testing, tensile strength, mechano-biology, mechanical stimulation, mechanotransduction, tissue engineering, wound healing, extracellular matrix, ECM, growth, and remodeling.
Recent Publications
Years of Service at WPI
- Associate Professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2008-present
- Assistant Professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2002-2008