Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin

Mary Kathryn (M.K.) Sewell-Loftin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), affiliated with both the School of Engineering and the Heersink School of Medicine. She is also a member of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on developing models to study how biomechanical forces influence cancer growth, aiming to advance anti-tumor treatment strategies. Dr. Sewell-Loftin holds expertise in tissue engineering, biomaterials, and cell-mechanical interactions.

Education:

• B.S., Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama
• M.S., Chemical Engineering, The University of Alabama
• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis

Research Interests: Dr. Sewell-Loftin investigates the tumor microenvironment, 3D tissue engineering systems, and the biomechanical behaviors of cancer cells. Her work bridges biomechanics, materials science, and oncology to understand how physical forces and biomaterials modulate cancer progression.

Academic Distinctions: No specific awards or distinctions are listed in the provided text.

Advising & Grants: No advising or grant information is explicitly mentioned.

Labs & Teams: Her research is conducted within the Department of Biomedical Engineering and in collaboration with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.