Taylor Ware

Taylor Ware is an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University's College of Engineering, holding the Cain Faculty Fellowship. Her research focuses on designing structured biomaterials and medical devices using stimuli-responsive polymers for clinical applications.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2013

Research Interests: Dr. Ware pioneers the development of liquid crystal elastomers as artificial muscles and implantable electronics substrates, engineered living materials for infection treatment, and directed self-assembly of hydrogels. Her lab specializes in polymer formulation, thermomechanical testing, and microfabrication. Key research thrusts include:

• Smart elastomers, hydrogels, and composites for dynamic medical devices
• Programming liquid crystalline polymers for shape-morphing applications
• Engineered living materials that respond to biomolecular cues in urinary tract environments

Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates convergence of materials science, microbiology, and medical device engineering. Her group advances liquid crystal elastomers for soft robotics and implantable electronics, develops engineered living materials for UTI treatment using microbial competition, and creates novel hemostats and urethral support devices. Publications emphasize translational applications in urology, wound healing, and neural interfaces.

Scientific Awards:

• Invited Participant, NAE Japan-USA Frontiers of Engineering Bilateral (2023)
• Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors (2022)
• NSF CAREER Award (2018)
• Air Force Young Investigator Award (2017)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2011)
• Fellow of AIMBE (American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Ware leads the Ware Lab with significant funding including an NIH R01 grant (with UT Dallas and Case Western collaborators) and the NSF CAREER award. Her lab mentors postdoctoral fellows like Mustafa (winner of a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship) and graduate students. Current projects are supported by the NSF Engineering Research Center HAND, focusing on advanced materials for healthcare applications.

Laboratory and Teams: The Ware Lab collaborates globally and is featured in Texas Monthly, Houston Chronicle, and National Geographic for breakthroughs in engineered living materials. As part of the NSF HAND ERC, the lab develops dynamic materials for stress urinary incontinence treatment and collaborates with medical institutions on UTI therapies using engineered E. coli strains.