Tayler Hebner

Tayler Hebner is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. She joined Purdue in August 2024 and is affiliated with Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering. Her research focuses on designing multifunctional polymers to bridge synthetic materials with biologically inspired functions, emphasizing liquid crystalline elastomers, stimuli-responsive systems, and applications in tissue engineering and soft robotics.

Education:

• 2023: Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Oregon (Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact)
• 2022: PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
• 2019: BS in Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth

Research Interests: The Hebner Lab develops responsive materials through interdisciplinary approaches integrating synthetic chemistry, polymer mechanics, and cell biology. Key areas include polymer network design, dynamic chemistry, and actuation mechanisms in liquid crystalline elastomers. Applications target tissue engineering, medical devices, and soft robotics.

Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes radical-mediated polymer degradation, liquid crystalline elastomer actuation, and hydrogel-based biomaterials. Studies highlight the interplay of chemistry and mechanics in achieving programmable material behaviors.

Awards:

• 2024 International Liquid Crystal Society Glenn H. Brown Prize
• 2023 Knight Campus Training and Teaching Award
• 2022 American Chemical Society Eastman Chemical Award Finalist
• Multiple undergraduate and graduate honors (2017–2022)

Advising & Labs: Leads the Hebner Lab at Purdue, focusing on interdisciplinary biomaterials research. Collaborates with institutions like the University of Colorado and the BioFrontiers Institute. Active in mentoring students through programs like the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholarship.