Karin Wang

Karin Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the College of Engineering, Temple University. Her research integrates principles from tissue engineering, biomaterials science, soft matter physics, and cell biology to develop innovative model systems that investigate cell and matrix dynamics in health and disease.

Her research interests center on cell and matrix mechanobiology, focusing on how mechanical forces regulate cell-matrix interactions. Key areas include structure-function relationships, collective migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tissue-engineered model systems. Her lab specifically investigates the role of fibronectin in growth factor immobilization, cell adhesion, and migration dynamics.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in both fundamental mechanobiology and translational bioengineering. Her earlier work emphasizes fibronectin's role in cancer and wound healing, while recent collaborative publications highlight advanced nanoparticle and lipid-based delivery systems for mRNA and siRNA, particularly targeting bone, lung, and spleen. This suggests an evolving research program bridging mechanistic insight with therapeutic innovation.

• NSF DGE GK-12 Teaching Fellowship
• NIH NCI F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dr. Wang teaches undergraduate and graduate courses such as The Bionic Human, Introduction to Bioengineering, and Mechanobiology. While specific advisees are not listed, she leads the Wang Mechanobiology Lab, where she mentors students in interdisciplinary research. Her collaborations with prominent researchers like Mitchell, Fischbach, and Gourdon suggest strong grant funding and team-based science. Future work is likely to expand on mechanobiological insights to develop novel biomaterials and targeted therapies.

Her lab, the Wang Mechanobiology Lab, focuses on engineering reductionist models to probe how fibronectin regulates cell behavior through mechanical cues. The lab employs interdisciplinary tools from bioengineering and physics to uncover drivers of physiological and pathological processes.