She received a B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Chemical Science from Kansas State University, and her M.S.E. and PhD in Engineering from Purdue University. She is interested in biomaterials and device development for stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Her laboratory studies involve examination of stem cell behavior on mechanically tuned substrates, development of artificial ECM, and synthesis of new material preparations for in situ tissue engineering. She teaches courses in bioengineering, biomimetic materials, nanocharacterization, and genetic engineering