Elizabeth Bartolak-Suki

Elizabeth Bartolak-Suki is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University's College of Engineering. She holds a B.S., M.S. in Basic Medical Sciences, and an M.D. from the Medical School of Szeged, along with a D.Sc. (PhD equivalent) in Molecular Cell Biology from the Medical School of Budapest. Her primary research focuses on mechanotransduction pathways in respiratory and vascular systems, including organelle mechanobiology and protein post-translational modifications. She develops novel live imaging techniques to study cellular responses to mechanical forces in dynamic environments, with applications in vascular tissue engineering and alcohol-related vascular malformations.

• Education:
• B.S./M.S. in Basic Medical Sciences, Medical School of Szeged
• M.D. in General Medicine, Medical School of Szeged
• D.Sc. in Molecular Cell Biology, Medical School of Budapest

Her research explores how mechanical forces from breathing, blood flow, and physiological rhythms regulate cell functions, cytoskeletal organization, and molecular signaling. Techniques include real-time imaging and dynamic mechanical modeling to investigate mitochondrial behavior, extracellular matrix interactions, and disease mechanisms in emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. Recent work highlights the role of variability in mechanical stimuli for maintaining homeostasis and tissue repair.

Publications emphasize mechanobiology applications in lung and vascular systems, with notable contributions to tissue engineering and ventilation strategies. Her studies bridge molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in optimizing variable ventilation for preterm lambs and mitigating ventilator-induced lung injuries.

Dr. Bartolak-Suki’s lab focuses on translational research, combining engineering approaches with biological systems to address unmet clinical needs in respiratory and vascular health. Current projects include developing biomaterials for vascular repair and elucidating mitochondrial responses to mechanical stress in aging and disease.