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Bruce Kirkpatrick honored with Outstanding Dissertation Award

Susan Glairon — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:16:06 +0000

Bruce Kirkpatrick honored with Outstanding Dissertation Award Susan Glairon Wed, 11/26/2025 - 13:16

Susan Glairon

Bruce Kirkpatrick

PhD, Biological Engineering, 2025

Dissertation Name

Photochemical Control of Hydrogel Network Topology: Fundamentals to Cellular Applications

Defended

July, 29, 2025

Associated lab

Anseth Group

Current position

Third-year medical student at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Denver Health

College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Dissertation Award

This award recognizes the best dissertation (excellence of research, topical importance and presentation in the written dissertation) among students completing PhD degree requirements during a calendar year.

Why did you choose �� Boulder for your graduate studies?

I came to �� in 2013 for my undergraduate degree in chemical and biological engineering (ChBE), and I really enjoyed it. After earning my BS in 2017, I applied to MD-PhD programs and was accepted at �� to continue into medical and graduate school. I was thrilled to return to ChBE as a graduate student because I knew how strong the biomedical research program was, especially with Distinguished Professor Kristi Anseth in the department. Having the chance to work with her and other faculty like Distinguished Professor Chris Bowman, Professor Jason Burdick and Professor Tim White offered the experiential learning in materials science and bioengineering that I hoped for as a budding physician-scientist. (Not to mention that it is great to live in Colorado! I’d be glad to never leave.)

Hydrogels can act as tiny scaffolds that let us create precise patterns or gradients in stiffness or biochemical cues (in this case, a Mona Lisa narrower than a human hair), giving us fine control over the environment that cells experience.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

It’s a huge honor to be selected by my mentors, department, and college.This award affirms that the years I’ve invested in both science and the community are valued. I’ve been part of the ChBE program for 12 years, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to do work worthy of this recognition. I owe a great deal to Dr. Anseth for her guidance and to my collaborators and mentees for giving so much of their time to bring our projects to fruition. I feel especially grateful to have grown my work in such a supportive and collaborative environment.

Tell me about your dissertation research.

Broadly, my research focuses on developing jello-like polymeric materials called hydrogels. I use light to build, break and rearrange the tiny chemical connections within them, which lets us control properties like stiffness, degradation, relaxation, and cell behavior with precise timing and location. This helps us create more tunable, lifelike environments for studying biology and developing future medical therapies.

What applications could this research have in the future?

This research supports technologies that enable long-acting or precisely timed drug and vaccine delivery, as well as protective hydrogels that shield donor cells from the immune system and improve their survival after transplantation. These materials can also be used to create acellular devices such as contact lenses, wound dressings, and tissue adhesives along with more realistic tissue models that give researchers better platforms for studying disease and testing new treatments.

Why do you think your dissertation resonated with the award committee?

I think the committee appreciated the range of questions my dissertation addressed and how

By adjusting the properties of a hydrogel around human cells embedded in 3D, we can dramatically change how the cells stretch, spread and connect to one another, helping us understand how their surroundings shape their behavior.

the work connected chemistry, materials science and biology in a coherent way. The projects included new approaches for designing photoresponsive hydrogels, studies of mechanobiology, and tissue engineering applications, with contributions that spanned departments, colleges, and campuses across ��. I think the committee also recognized how deeply collaborative the work was. Rather than solving a single problem, my thesis points toward a variety of future applications, so its impact comes from its breadth and the way it supports a wide range of community efforts.

Why does this research topic interest you?

This field naturally combines my interests in photochemistry, dynamic chemistry, and polymers with biophysics and materials science. Hydrogels are programmable, biologically relevant platforms, so the work is both scientifically rich and clinically useful.

Who was particularly influential to your work?

Dr. Anseth was the most influential figure in my scientific training. Her intellectual brilliance, generosity with her time, and ability to connect fundamental chemistry with meaningful biological questions have shaped the way I think about research. I’ve also learned a tremendous amount from her former trainees, many of whom now lead their own groups. I was especially inspired by Professor Cole DeForest, Associate Professor Mark Tibbitt, Professor Jason Burdick, Professor April Kloxin, and Tobin Brown’s work, to name a few. My amazing collaborators and mentees were essential to the success of every project and working alongside them is what made the science rewarding.

What’s next?

I plan to apply for residency in radiation oncology. I’m excited to work as a physician-scientist with interests in materials science and photochemistry, and my goal is to build a career that bridges the clinical care of cancer patients with research on biomaterials, imaging and analysis tools, and light-based technologies. I ultimately hope to contribute to new treatment strategies that are more tolerable, precise, and effective.

Chemical and Biological Engineering PhD Student Bruce Kirkpatrick was honored with the 2025 Outstanding Dissertation Award. His hydrogel research supports technologies that enable 3D cell culture for tissue engineering and disease modeling, as well as acellular biomaterials for applications like controlled release of drugs or vaccines.

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Three ChBE professors on Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list

Susan Glairon — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:19:34 +0000

Three ChBE professors on Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list Susan Glairon Tue, 11/25/2025 - 14:19

Three Chemical and Biological Engineering professors, Jason A. Burdick, Michael D. McGehee and Michael F. Toney were featured among highly cited researchers in 2025.

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New lightweight polymer film can prevent corrosion

Susan Glairon — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:19:38 +0000

New lightweight polymer film can prevent corrosion Susan Glairon Wed, 11/12/2025 - 11:19

Cody Ritt, an MIT postdoctoral researcher who will join �� Boulder's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering as an assistant professor in January, is one of the lead authors of a paper recently published in the journal Nature.

In the study, researchers developed a polymer coating that is nearly impermeable to gases, which could help prevent corrosion in solar panels and slow the aging of packaged food and medicines.

Read More

In the study recently published in the journal Nature, researchers developed a polymer coating that is nearly impermeable to gases, which could help prevent corrosion in solar panels and slow the aging of packaged food and medicines.

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Electric fields steered nanoparticles through a liquid-filled maze – this new method could improve drug delivery and purification systems

Susan Glairon — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:24:17 +0000

Electric fields steered nanoparticles through a liquid-filled maze – this new method could improve drug delivery and purification systems Susan Glairon Wed, 11/12/2025 - 08:24

A new �� Boulder study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how electric fields control nanoparticle movement through porous materials, enabling independent control of speed and direction. This finding could advance nanorobot technologies for applications like tumor detection, drug delivery and environmental cleanup of toxic chemicals.

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�� Boulder's Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

Susan Glairon — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:55:47 +0000

�� Boulder's Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition Susan Glairon Thu, 11/06/2025 - 15:55

Susan Glairon

�� Boulder’s Chem-E-Car team took first place in poster design at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ 27th Annual ChemE Car Competition, surpassing 56 teams from around the world. The competition was held in Boston on Nov. 2.

The team—chemical and biological engineering undergraduates William Bierzychudek, Colin McElroy, McKenzie Mazur, Joshua Sherritt and Megan Sullivan—created the poster to showcase the research behind their vehicle, “Don’t Zinc and Drive,” which is powered by zinc-air batteries and uses an exothermic catalytic decomposition reaction mechanism to stop.

"Initially we were completely surprised, and then excitement and gratitude hit," said Bierzychudek, a chemical engineering senior and the team's captain. "It felt like recognition of the hours we had spent continuously redesigning our car, applying theory and diagnosing and fixing countless errors."

The competition challenges teams to design a shoebox-sized car powered by chemical reactions—such as a battery or internal combustion engine—that must stop at a specified distance using a time-dependent chemical reaction. The target distance is announced just before the competition, and the team whose car stops closest to that point wins.

Throughout the year, �� Boulder students designed, built and tested their car concepts in the chemical engineering undergraduate teaching lab. �� Boulder’s car finished just a few meters shy of the target line, said Assistant Teaching Professor Ehsan Keyvani, the team’s faculty advisor.

“Congratulations to the entire team for their outstanding achievement, dedication and innovative spirit; a true reflection of �� Boulder’s excellence in chemical engineering education and teamwork,” Keyvani said.

Bierzychudek noted that being transparent about the obstacles they faced—and how they overcame them—helped set their poster apart.

"Getting so many moving parts working can feel like a chore, but acknowledging and finding gratitude in those things was crucial to our success," he said. "It showed we were engaged not only with our project but with the process of struggling and learning."

In April �� Boulder students won the AIChE Chem-E-Car competition at the Rocky Mountain regional held in Bozeman, Montana. At that event, "Don't Zinc and Drive," took first place in both the car competition and the poster presentation; the team's second car, "Ralphie," placed third in the car competition. The first-place win secured �� Boulder a spot at the AIChE competition in Boston.

"There’s definitely a little imposter syndrome when you show up to a conference filled with big international schools and premier US colleges," Bierzychudek added. "We're grateful for the opportunity to represent our school on such a big scale and hope this sparks excitement for future �� Chem-E-Car teams."

The club is supported by funding from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and has received Engineering Excellence Fund support in the past.

Students interested in joining �� Boulder's Chem-E-Club can send an email to chemecar@colorado.edu. The club can also be followed on Instagram at @boulderchemecar.

The win came at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ international Chem-E-Car competition in Boston, where �� Boulder’s poster stood out among 56 teams.

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Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship

Susan Glairon — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:03:19 +0000

Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship Susan Glairon Tue, 11/04/2025 - 15:03

Susan Glairon

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, has distinguished herself through a remarkable combination of three top academic and research achievements.

Most recently McCarty received the 2025 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), an organization founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts and supported by successive generations of NASA astronauts. She previously earned the Boettcher Scholarship, fully funding her for four years of undergraduate study at a Colorado university, as well as the Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to sophomores and juniors actively conducting research in mathematics, science and engineering.

Astronaut scholars are awarded up to $15,000 per year for education-related expenses and may be awarded for up to two years of undergraduate work. The merit-based ASF scholarship is the largest known monetary award of its kind given in the United States to science and engineering undergraduate students.

What does this newest award mean to you?

Receiving the astronaut scholarship has been one of the most meaningful honors of my academic journey because it recognizes my technical and research accomplishments and connects me to an extraordinary community. The other astronaut scholars are some of the most inspiring, passionate and driven people I’ve ever met, and many have become close friends.

What research have you been involved in?

My research journey began in high school, when I worked with the Layer Lab at the BioFrontiers Institute to study computational genomics. Later, thanks to the support of the Boettcher Foundation, I joined The Clark Lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where I explored the respiratory microbiome and investigated how native bacteria in the respiratory tract can protect against pathogens. Most recently, I joined the Burdick Biomaterials and Biofabrication Laboratory in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE) through the Young Scholars Summer Research Program led by Distinguished Professor Robert Davis.

If you go

What: Meet astronaut Joe Tanner, a four-time astronaut who flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis again.

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, will be honored as an astronaut scholar at this event.

When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 4:30 p.m.

Where: UMC 386 (Aspen Room)

Register for the event

My work focuses on engineering heart tissues to model focal cardiac fibrosis, a condition in which the heart wall stiffens, impairing cardiac function and potentially leading to heart failure. By replicating this disease in the lab, we aim to better understand its mechanisms and evaluate potential therapeutics to advance treatment options.

Which organizations, clubs or volunteer work are you engaged in?

As a course assistant for multiple core ChBE courses, I work to make challenging material more accessible, developing recitations and creating custom practice resources to support student success. I also serve as a peer ambassador for the department, collaborating with faculty to enhance courses and expand departmental programming. Beyond engineering, I find balance performing in theatrical productions, playing a variety of instruments and authoring a collection of haiku. I also stay engaged through the Boettcher Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to strengthening Colorado by fostering the potential of its residents.

What accomplishment are you most proud of academically?

I'm most proud of my growth as a scientist, learning to ask the right questions and design research aimed at real-world impact. From studying the respiratory microbiome to engineering heart tissues, I've developed both the technical skills and scientific curiosity to contribute meaningfully to human health.

What has been your biggest challenge during your engineering education?

One of the biggest challenges in my engineering education has been learning to say “no.” I’ve always been deeply curious and eager to take on new opportunities. But, I’ve come to understand time as the most valuable resource, and how we choose to spend it defines the quality of our work and growth.

Arianna McCarty presenting her research at the 2024 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual meeting in San Diego.

What’s next?

I'm applying to PhD programs in bioengineering, with a focus on research at the intersection of tissue engineering and immunoengineering. I am particularly interested in exploring how the immune system and other biological systems, such as the microbiome, can be leveraged to support wound healing and tissue regeneration. Ultimately, I hope to become a professor at an R1 research university, where I can lead a lab pursuing novel research in this area and continue mentoring students—a role I’ve come to deeply enjoy through my experiences as a course assistant.

Anything else you would like to add or share?

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. In particular, I want to thank Kenneth M. Monks, PhD, Assistant Professor Ryan Layer, Assistant Professor Sarah Clark, Professor Jason Burdick and my brother, Bryan. Their trust, mentorship and encouragement have meant more to me than words can express.

Arianna McCarty, a chemical and biological engineering senior, has distinguished herself through a remarkable combination of academic and research excellence, earning the Astronaut, Boettcher and Goldwater scholarships. Her research spans computational genomics, the respiratory microbiome and tissue engineering aimed at improving heart health.

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How animals get their spots, and why they are beautifully imperfect

Susan Glairon — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:24:53 +0000

How animals get their spots, and why they are beautifully imperfect Susan Glairon Mon, 10/27/2025 - 15:24

Assistant Professor Ankur Gupta, the study’s lead researcher, and his team have developed a way to simulate natural animal patterns, including their imperfections. The findings could lead to new materials that turn to camouflage on demand.

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A better band-aid: New 'suspended animation' technology could revolutionize wound care

Susan Glairon — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:41:13 +0000

A better band-aid: New 'suspended animation' technology could revolutionize wound care Susan Glairon Fri, 10/10/2025 - 08:41

A �� Boulder research team co-led by Distinguished Professor Christopher Bowman has received up to $5.8 million from ARPA-H to develop new treatments that temporarily suspend the immune response after severe burns or tissue injuries, aiming to reduce pain, speed healing and prevent long-term damage. The approach could also benefit patients with limited access to immediate medical care.

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Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery

Susan Glairon — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:46:07 +0000

Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery Susan Glairon Fri, 10/03/2025 - 14:46

SPUR student Joshua Smith joined researchers in the Shields Lab to develop microrobots that actively deliver drugs to the lungs—an innovative approach that could transform treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to �� Boulder

Susan Glairon — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 22:30:42 +0000

Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to �� Boulder Susan Glairon Wed, 10/01/2025 - 16:30

Susan Glairon

Saad Bhamla, a pioneering scientist known for studying unusual biological systems and inventing ultra-low-cost medical devices, will join the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the BioFrontiers Institute in August. His work blends biology, engineering and frugal science.

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News

Bruce Kirkpatrick honored with Outstanding Dissertation Award

PhD, Biological Engineering, 2025

Dissertation Name

Defended

Associated lab

Current position

College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Dissertation Award

Why did you choose ���������� Boulder for your graduate studies?

What does receiving this award mean to you?

Tell me about your dissertation research.

What applications could this research have in the future?

Why do you think your dissertation resonated with the award committee?

Why does this research topic interest you?

Who was particularly influential to your work?

What’s next?

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Three ChBE professors on Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list

Off

New lightweight polymer film can prevent corrosion

Off

Electric fields steered nanoparticles through a liquid-filled maze – this new method could improve drug delivery and purification systems

Off

���������� Boulder's Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

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Arianna McCarty reaches new heights with Astronaut Scholarship

What does this newest award mean to you?

What research have you been involved in?

Which organizations, clubs or volunteer work are you engaged in?

What accomplishment are you most proud of academically?

What has been your biggest challenge during your engineering education?

What’s next?

Anything else you would like to add or share?

Off

How animals get their spots, and why they are beautifully imperfect

Off

A better band-aid: New 'suspended animation' technology could revolutionize wound care

Off

Shields Lab and SPUR student team up to advance microrobot drug delivery

Off

Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to ���������� Boulder

Off

Why did you choose �� Boulder for your graduate studies?

�� Boulder's Chem-E-Car team wins international poster design competition

Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to �� Boulder