Karen C. Yan, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
The College of New Jersey
yan@tcnj.edu
Biography: Dr. Karen C. Yan is currently a Professor in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at The College of New Jersey. She received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Science and Technology of China, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University. Her research ranges from biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, fabrication of microfluidic devices, and composite materials. She has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conferences papers. Dr. Yan is actively involved in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and served as Chair and Vice Chair of Composites and Heterogeneous Materials Technical Committee in ASME Materials Division from 2014-2018.
Topic title: Mechanical Milieu of Cells in Engineered Tissue Constructs
Abstract: Engineered tissue constructs are assembled through combining scaffolds, cells and biologically active molecules for restoring, maintaining, or improving damaged tissues or whole organs. Cells in engineered tissue constructs often experience mechanical forces/stimuli during the fabrication process, maturation process, and in vivo conditions. It is well known that these mechanical forces/stimuli induce cellular responses and in turn affect cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation. Hence, it is critical to understand the mechanical milieu of cells in tissue constructs during different processes. In this talk, a multi-scale modeling and analysis method will be introduced for determining the microenvironment that cells experience due to mechanical forces and predicting cell viability. Case studies will be presented, including cell-encapsulated tissue constructs under static compressive loading and cyclic stretching, and forces experienced by cells during the extrusion process. Remaining challenges will also be discussed.
