Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young is an Assistant Professor at the Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, with a joint affiliation in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on nanoscale extracellular matrix (ECM) properties and their role in cellular behavior across diverse biological contexts.

• BS in Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis
• PhD in Bioengineering, University of California San Diego

Her work investigates how nanoscale ECM organization influences cardiac development, breast cancer progression, stem cell differentiation, and chemoresistance. By developing platforms to mimic ECM dynamics, she addresses critical challenges in tissue regeneration and disease modeling. Recent studies explore ligand presentation, integrin signaling, and high-content screening for cell-nanoenvironment interactions.

Key research themes include:

• Nanoscale ligand patterning in disease states
• Force-independent adhesion mechanisms
• Dynamic hydrogel systems for tissue modeling
• Integrin subtype-specific mechanoresponses
• Translational applications in cancer and cardiac research

Her lab actively trains PhD students and interns while collaborating across disciplines to advance biomaterials design.