Kayla Bayless

Kayla Bayless, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Physiology at Texas A&M University’s School of Medicine. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, particularly endothelial cell invasion and matrix interactions in 3D environments. She leads the Bayless Lab, which collaborates on biomaterials engineering and studies lymphangiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and uterine physiology.

Education: BS in Molecular Biology (Texas Lutheran College, 1994), PhD in Medical Physiology (Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 1999), Postdoctoral Research in Pathology (Texas A&M Health Science Center).

Research interests include cytoskeletal proteins, integrin signaling, and the role of biochemical and mechanical factors in endothelial behavior. Key projects involve nanomaterials for pro-angiogenic therapies and mechanosensory pathways in cell-matrix communication.

Awards: Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award (Texas A&M Health Science Center).

Lab members include Colette Abbey (Research Associate). Collaborations span biomaterials design and translational research in angiogenesis-driven pathologies.