Kristopher Kilian

Professor Kristopher Kilian is Director of the Laboratory for Advanced Biomaterials & Matrix Engineering (LAB&ME) with a joint position across the School of Chemistry and the School of Materials Science & Engineering in the Faculty of Science at UNSW Sydney. He serves as co-Director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) and is a member of the Adult Cancer Program in the Prince of Wales Clinical School. His interdisciplinary research focuses on unraveling 'matrix structure-cell function' relationships through innovative biomaterial design.

After completing his PhD at the University of New South Wales, Kilian pursued NIH postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago before faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011-2018). He returned to UNSW in 2018 as a Scientia Fellow, establishing his current leadership roles.

Research Focus:

• Design of model extracellular matrices and dynamic hydrogels for cell and tissue engineering
• Fundamental studies in cell plasticity and matrix-directed cell fate
• Development of synthetic tumor microenvironments for drug testing
• iPSC-derived organoid bioengineering
• 4D biofabrication techniques
• Tissue engineering approaches for lab-grown meat applications

His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on hydrogel mechanics, dynamic biomaterials, and the role of physical cues in directing cell behavior. Recent work emphasizes mechanochemistry, spatial control of cell differentiation, and the development of sophisticated tumor models that replicate the complexity of cancer microenvironments.

Scientific Recognition:

• Cornforth Medal (2008)
• NIH Ruth L. Kirchstein Award (2008)
• Kavli Fellow (2014)
• NSF CAREER Award (2015)
• Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2018)
• Eureka Prize finalist (2023)

Kilian's research program bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications, particularly in cancer modeling and regenerative medicine. His laboratory develops innovative biomaterial platforms that enable precise control over cellular microenvironments, facilitating discoveries in cell plasticity and tissue engineering. The group's work on dynamic hydrogels and mechanochemical systems represents a significant contribution to the field of biomaterials science.

As Director of LAB&ME, Kilian leads a multidisciplinary team that integrates nano- and micro-fabrication techniques with synthetic chemistry to create biomimetic materials. The laboratory's approach centers on the concept that cell state and fate are governed by inherent cell plasticity within specific multivariate signaling contexts.