Aidan Gilchrist

Aidan Gilchrist is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on developing biomaterials and in vitro models to address aging-related health challenges, particularly in regenerative medicine and disease progression modeling. The Gilchrist Lab integrates stem cell engineering, materials design, and systems biology to investigate cellular aging mechanisms and translate findings into clinical applications.

Dr. Gilchrist holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work bridges engineering and biology through projects such as hydrogel design for organoid models, mechanotransduction studies in cancer, and metabolic analysis of stem cell niches.

Key research areas include:

• Biomaterials engineering for 3D cellular microenvironments
• Stem cell aging and rejuvenation strategies
• Organoid models of liver disease and cancer
• Dynamic hydrogel systems for controlled drug delivery

Recent work highlights stiffness-mediated chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer organoids and the role of extracellular matrix mechanics in disease progression. His lab also develops injectable hydrogels and microgel systems for therapeutic applications, emphasizing biocompatibility and tunable material properties.

No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials, though his prolific publication record reflects active research engagement. The Gilchrist Lab collaborates on translational projects targeting human tissues and patient-derived models for personalized medicine applications.