David F.J. Tees

David F.J. Tees is an Associate Professor in Physics and Astronomy at Ohio University, with joint appointments in the Nanoscale Quantum Phenomena Institute and Quantitative Biology Institute. His Experimental Biophysics lab investigates mechanical properties of biological systems using advanced microscopy and computational techniques.

Education:

• Ph.D. Physics, McGill University (1996)
• M.Sc. Atmospheric Physics, McGill University (1989)
• B.Sc. Physics, McGill University (1986)

Research focuses on cancer cell biomechanics as metastasis biomarkers, neutrophil behavior in capillary environments, and single-molecule force spectroscopy of adhesion molecules. The lab develops micropipette and microcantilever techniques to model physiological conditions.

Publications emphasize biophysical mechanisms in cancer and inflammation, with recent work exploring viscoelastic properties of stem-like cancer cells and selectin-mediated adhesion under flow.

Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award
• Dean's Outstanding Teacher Award

Advises graduate and undergraduate researchers in biophysics projects, supported by NSF and American Heart Association grants. Leads the Biophysics Seminar series and collaborates with engineering colleagues on microfluidic device development.