Brian J. Kirby

Brian J. Kirby is the Meinig Family Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University, part of the College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2001). His research focuses on microfluidics, thrombosis mechanisms, and biomedical device development, with applications in cancer diagnostics and fluid-structure interactions. Notably, he has pioneered microfluidic platforms for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and analyzing their molecular characteristics.

His work integrates engineering principles with biological systems, addressing challenges in vascular mechanics and biomedical instrumentation. Awards include the Cornell Engineering Advising Award (2015) and Creative Teaching Awards (2015, 2021) for innovative approaches like oral assessments and interactive learning tools. His lab collaborates on projects such as viscosity metamaterials and the Forklift Learning Studio for engineering education.

Key research themes include: (1) shear-driven thrombosis in medical devices, (2) acoustic and shear modulation of fluid properties, and (3) developing label-free microfluidic systems for clinical diagnostics. Over 150 publications span biomaterials, cell mechanics, and device fabrication, with recent emphasis on exercise impacts on cancer biomarkers and thrombus dynamics.