Kong receives NSF CAREER Award

Hyunjoon Kong, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has been awarded a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation Biomaterials Program.

Kong's  proposal is titled "Integrating Biomaterials and Biology for Control of Cell Function in 3D Matrices". The award is given to junior faculty who demonstrate excellence in the coordination of outstanding research and education. His research aims are to design a a 3D cell-encapsulating biomaterial that decouples the interdependency between biomaterial stiffness and nutrient transport and to establish a set of integrative biomaterial design principles that describe growth factor-induced signal transduction with biomaterial stiffness.

He is also planning to develop a cross-disciplinary course that explores the interactions between biomaterials and biological systems. Additionally, Kong will design a program to introduce pre-college students and teachers to the science between biomaterials and biology.

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Contact: Hyunjoon Kong, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 217/333-1178.

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