Abby Whittington

Abby Whittington is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), with a joint appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and controlled-release systems. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2006) and a B.S. from Auburn University (2000).

Her research interests include biopolymer design, cell-biomaterial interactions, and drug delivery mechanisms. She has pioneered work in 3D printing of biocompatible materials, stimuli-responsive biomaterials, and biodegradable polymers for medical and agricultural applications.

Key research directions include: (1) developing vat photopolymerization techniques for tissue scaffolds; (2) optimizing timed-release systems via additive manufacturing; and (3) investigating material stability under medical conditions like ionizing radiation. Her work bridges chemical engineering principles with biomedical applications, emphasizing translational research.

Notable contributions include studies on polymer degradation in rumen environments, echogenic catheter materials for ultrasound imaging, and histotripsy-based catheter infection treatments. She maintains an active Google Scholar profile documenting over 50 peer-reviewed publications since 2001.

While no formal awards are listed, her interdisciplinary approach reflects sustained innovation in biomaterials science. Her research group collaborates across engineering, veterinary, and medical disciplines to address unmet clinical needs in regenerative medicine and device design.