Allyson E. Sgro

Allyson E. Sgro is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, affiliated with the Synthetic Biology, Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology programs. Her research focuses on understanding and engineering multicellular collective behavior, bridging microscale cellular signaling to macroscale population dynamics. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Pre-Medical Studies from Bard College at Simon’s Rock and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Washington.

Her scientific awards include the 2019 Hariri Institute Junior Faculty Fellowship and the 2017 BU COE Dean’s Catalyst Award. Her lab develops innovative tools like optogenetics, microfluidics, and machine learning to study systems such as Dictyostelium discoideum, enabling predictive understanding of multicellular design principles. Current projects address tissue assembly, biofilm formation, and synthetic multicellular systems engineering.

Her research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, including quantitative biology and systems engineering, to tackle challenges in regenerative medicine and microbial systems. She has published extensively on topics ranging from cellular signaling dynamics to educational reforms in bioengineering curricula.