Christopher T. Culbertson

Dr. Christopher T. Culbertson is a Professor and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University (KSU). He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry. Culbertson earned his B.S. in Biology from Harvard College (1988), B.S. in Chemistry from the University of West Florida (1991), and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996). Before joining KSU, he worked as a Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1996–2002).

His research focuses on developing microfluidic (Lab-on-a-Chip) technologies for bioanalytical applications, particularly protein separations (proteomics) and single-cell analysis. His lab integrates microfluidics with optical and electrokinetic techniques to study cellular processes, including nitric oxide production and kinase activity. Projects emphasize interdisciplinary approaches combining chemistry, physics, engineering, and cell biology.

Culbertson has held leadership roles including Associate Dean for Research (2018–2022) and Interim Dean (2022–2023) before becoming Dean in 2023. His publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Analytical Chemistry, Lab on a Chip, and Nanomedicine, highlighting advancements in microfluidic device fabrication, single-cell analysis, and biosensor development.

Key technical innovations include out-of-plane optical fiber integration for multi-point cell monitoring, high-throughput single-cell lysis systems, and dielectric elastomer actuators (IDEAS) for nonbiased injections. His work aims to improve diagnostic precision for diseases like cancer by enabling ultra-sensitive biomarker detection in liquid biopsies.