Caryn Heldt

Dr. Caryn Heldt is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, holding the James and Lorna Mack Endowed Chair in Continuous Processing and serving as Director of the Health Research Institute. She earned her BS from MTU (2001) and PhD from North Carolina State University (2008), followed by a postdoc at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her research focuses on bioseparations, viral surface interactions, and biomanufacturing of vaccines and gene therapies. Key projects include optimizing aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) for viral purification, developing antiviral materials, and stabilizing vaccines via complex coacervation. She received an NSF CAREER Award (2015) for studying virus surface chemistry.

Her lab investigates virus-antiviral interactions using advanced microscopy (AFM, CFM) and biophysical methods. Research also addresses continuous manufacturing for viral vectors, cost-effective purification processes, and extracellular vesicle characterization. Collaborations with industry and academia aim to bridge virology and engineering for pandemic preparedness. Funding sources include grants supporting her work in bioseparations and formulation science.

Dr. Heldt’s contributions span over 40 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing viral surface-driven separation strategies, economic process comparisons, and formulation innovations. Her work accelerates the production of life-saving therapies by improving efficiency, cost, and scalability in biomanufacturing.