Catherine K. Kuo

Catherine K. Kuo is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland. She holds the Fischell Fellow title and leads the Kuo Lab, focused on tendon regeneration, mechanobiology, and fetal intervention strategies. Her research bridges embryology and clinical applications, addressing adult tendon injuries and musculoskeletal birth defects.

Education: B.S.E. in Materials Science (University of Michigan), Ph.D. in Biomaterials (University of Michigan), and a postdoc at NIH’s NIAMS. Professional roles include President-Elect of TERMIS-AM, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, and multiple editorial board memberships.

Research interests emphasize mechanobiology of embryonic tendons, bioengineering tools for in utero interventions, and biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Her lab develops therapies inspired by embryonic tendon development, including lysyl oxidase treatments and chick embryo models.

Key achievements include over 150 awards, including the TERMIS-AM Education Award (2024), AIMBE induction (2019), and NSF CAREER Award (2013). Her work is funded by NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships.

She advises students in bioengineering and biomedical engineering, with a focus on translational research. The Kuo Lab collaborates with the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices and maintains active partnerships in material science and clinical translation.