Sarah Wells

Sarah Wells, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science at the School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on structural-mechanical relations in biopolymers like elastin and collagen, particularly in cardiovascular tissues such as arteries, heart valves, and ligaments. She investigates how these tissues develop during fetal life and adapt to physiological changes in the maternal circulation during pregnancy.

Key research areas include fetal cardiovascular tissue development, adaptive remodeling of maternal cardiovascular structures during pregnancy, and the biomechanical implications of extracellular matrix composition. Her lab uses bovine models to explore how mechanical loading influences tissue maturation and how structural changes during pregnancy affect valve and aortic function. Notable projects include studying collagen and elastin dynamics in mitral valve chordae tendineae and leaflets, and postpartum reversibility of aortic and valve remodeling.

Publications highlight her work on pregnancy-induced valve remodeling, fetal-to-neonatal transitions in tissue mechanics, and the role of biomechanical factors in tissue engineering. While no awards are explicitly listed, her extensive research output underscores her contributions to biomedical engineering and cardiovascular biomechanics.

Her research group integrates materials engineering, developmental biology, and clinical insights to advance understanding of tissue adaptation, with potential applications in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular health monitoring.