Catherine Faye Whittington

Catherine Faye Whittington is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University (summa cum laude, 2006), a PhD from Purdue University (2012), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Eli Lilly and Company (2013-2017) and a visiting scholar position at Purdue University (2013-2017). Her research integrates bio-instructive biomaterials with cellular systems to create 3D tissue-engineered platforms for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and high-throughput drug screening. Key focuses include tumor microenvironment dynamics, ECM biophysical properties, and mechanotransduction mechanisms in vascularization.

Her work has produced innovative models such as a collagen-based vasculogenesis platform that elucidates matrix-stem cell interactions, and 3D tumor-stromal systems enhancing drug resistance studies. She has secured grants including a $200,000 award for pancreatic cancer research and received the 2022 WPI Annual Awards. Professional affiliations include the Biomedical Engineering Society and National Society of Black Engineers. She actively mentors students through teaching and outreach, aiming to train future biomedical researchers.

• Education:
  • BS, Louisiana Tech University (2006)
  • PhD, Purdue University (2012)
  • Postdoc, Eli Lilly (2013-2017)
• Awards:
  • 2022 Annual Awards (WPI)
  • Tissue Engineering Research Grants
  • Pancreatic Cancer Biomechanics Grant ($200,000)
• Lab/Teams: Focuses on translational tissue engineering and oncology research, collaborating with industry and academia to advance therapeutic models.