Michael L. Smith

Michael L. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, with joint appointments in Materials Science & Engineering and affiliation with the Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program. His research focuses on mechanotransduction via the extracellular matrix, particularly fibronectin mechanics, and engineered cell culture platforms.

Education includes:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
• M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Memphis

Research interests include:

• Quantifying microenvironmental regulation of cell fate
• Fibronectin tension and cell signaling mechanisms
• Engineering culture environments for ECM control

His publications predominantly explore cell-matrix interactions across biological scales, with recent work focusing on cancer cell mechanics, tensile homeostasis, and extracellular matrix assembly.

Awards and honors:

• NSF CAREER Award (2012–2017)
• Member of American Society for Matrix Biology
• Member of Biomedical Engineering Society
• Member of Materials Research Society

Leads the Matrix Mechanotransduction Lab investigating fundamental mechanisms of cellular mechanosensing.