B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Rice University

Post-doc, Chemical and Biological Engineering, CU-Boulder

Kristyn S. Masters, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Department of Bioengineering
Director, Center for Bioengineering

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

2023 –              Professor and Chair of Bioengineering, CU-Denver|Anschutz
2023 –              Director of the Center for Bioengineering, CU-Denver|Anschutz
2016 - 2023      Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison
2014 - 2018      Director, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Residential Program, UW-Madison
2010 - 2016      Associate Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison
2004 - 2010      Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

2023    Slesinger Award for Excellence in Mentoring
2020    College of Fellows, Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
2019    Professor of the Year, UW-Madison BME
2018    Elected Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
2016    Harvey D. Spangler Faculty Scholar
2016    H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellow
2016    Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor
2010    Polygon Outstanding Professor Award
2009    Emil H. Steiger Distinguished Teaching Award
2008    ASEE North Midwest Section Outstanding New Educator Award
2008    ASEE (National) Biomedical Engineering Division Teaching Award

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The field of tissue engineering is most often associated with the generation of healthy tissues to replace damaged organs. However, in recent years, the field has evolved to recognize the wide-ranging and near-term impacts that can be achieved through the application of tissue engineering techniques to model disease. My lab uses tissue engineering-based tools to create disease-mimicking platforms to decipher the cues responsible for regulating disease progression in conditions ranging from heart valve fibrosis to cancer, with a specific focus on sex differences in disease pathogenesis. The ultimate goal of this work is to use the information gained from these disease-mimicking platforms to identify new treatment approaches and targets to inhibit disease progression.

TEACHING

BIOE 4420/5420: Engineering the Extracellular Matrix
The objective of this course is for students to understand the biological and biophysical aspects of the ECM and their implications for ECM engineering.