Caroline Cheng

Dr. Caroline Cheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology at Erasmus MC, where she leads research focused on vascular biology and regenerative medicine. Her work integrates stem cell technology, microfluidic systems, and molecular analysis to model cardiovascular diseases and aging processes.

• Institution: Erasmus MC
• Department: Cardiology
• Academic Rank: Associate Professor

Her research interests center on understanding the mechanisms of vascular aging, endothelial and smooth muscle cell behavior, and disease modeling using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). She investigates how genetic instability, mechanical stimuli, and metabolic factors influence vascular cell phenotype and function.

Dr. Cheng’s recent publications highlight a strong trend in developing innovative in vitro models such as "Atherosclerosis on a Chip" and 3D hydrogel systems to mimic human vascular pathologies. These studies span disciplines including tissue engineering, mechanobiology, and molecular cardiology, emphasizing translational applications for understanding atherosclerosis and aging.

She has contributed to significant advancements in modeling vascular aging and cellular plasticity, particularly through the use of DNA repair-deficient models and stem cell-derived vascular lineages.

• Supervised Work: 3 research projects documented
• Major Collaborators: A.J.M. Roks, A.H.J. Danser, M.C. Verhaar, I. van der Pluijm

Dr. Cheng actively collaborates across institutions and contributes to the development of novel model systems for studying cardiovascular diseases. Her lab focuses on integrating bioengineering with molecular biology to create physiologically relevant platforms for drug testing and disease investigation.