Marsha Rolle

Dr. Marsha Rolle is a Research Professor at Northeastern University's Roux Institute where she serves as Director of BioPILOT and Associate Director of Life Science Programs. Her work focuses on building translational research and educational opportunities in life sciences, with particular emphasis on commercial translation of biomedical technologies and cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets in students. She holds a BS in Biochemistry from Brown University, a PhD in Bioengineering from University of Washington, and completed postdoctoral training at Benaroya Research Institute. Previously, she was a professor of biomedical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Her research interests center on tissue engineering and biomanufacturing, including vascular tissue engineering, bioprinting, stem cell differentiation, and cryopreservation techniques. She develops innovative approaches for creating functional vascular tissues using scaffold-free bioprinting methods and studies the effects of mechanical stimulation on tissue maturation.

Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on vascular tissue engineering, with advancements in bioprinting techniques using cell-only bioinks, engineering multiscale vascular structures, and optimizing cryopreservation protocols for engineered tissues. Significant attention is also given to antimicrobial peptide applications and educational innovations in cell therapy manufacturing.

Dr. Rolle leads the BioPILOT facility which supports biomanufacturing and translational research initiatives. She is currently developing novel approaches for engineering complex vascularized tissues and investigating plant-based scaffolds for human cell expansion.