Tyler Engstrom

Tyler Engstrom is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado, where he also serves as Faculty Associate to the Dean for Internships. His academic journey spans industry and academia with roles at MiTeGen, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and Syracuse University.

His educational background:

• Ph.D. in Physics, Penn State University (2015)
• B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (2005)

Dr. Engstrom's research centers on mechanical instabilities in biological systems, investigating how differential growth creates structures like brain folds and retinal foveae. His work uniquely bridges theoretical physics and biological phenomena, exploring quantum-classical analogies in elasticity while collaborating with biologists. Recent publications reveal strong focus on morphogenesis mechanisms and biomechanical modeling, with applications in developmental biology and tissue engineering.

His publication record shows increasing specialization in biological physics since 2016, with significant contributions to understanding compression stiffening in tissues and quantum-inspired mechanical models. The 2023 Physical Review E paper exemplifies his innovative approach to connecting classical elasticity with quantum systems.

Research funding achievements:

• National Eye Institute grant R15EY035473 (2024) as co-PI
• College of Natural and Health Sciences GRIP Awards (2023, 2024)
• UNC New Project Proposal grant (2021)

Dr. Engstrom maintains active collaborations with biologists while mentoring students through research projects. His editorial work for American Journal of Physics demonstrates commitment to physics education. The combination of industry experience (MiTeGen), academic research, and teaching creates a dynamic environment for student involvement in cutting-edge biophysics.

Though no formal lab name is specified, his research group employs interdisciplinary methods to study mechanical instabilities in biological contexts, utilizing computational modeling, theoretical frameworks, and experimental collaborations to advance understanding of tissue morphogenesis.