Mary L. Kraft

Mary L. Kraft is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she also holds the Robert W. Schaefer Scholar position. She maintains affiliate appointments in the Department of Chemistry and the Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology. Her research group develops cutting-edge bioimaging tools that overcome barriers to progress in biomolecular engineering and biomedical research, combining machine learning with chemical imaging techniques for quantitative single-cell analysis.

Dr. Kraft received her B.S. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1998, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003. She completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University from 2003-2007 before joining the faculty at UIUC. Her educational background has provided a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and biology.

Dr. Kraft's research focuses on understanding the organization and function of biological membranes, particularly the transport, phase-separation, and self-assembly of lipids. Her group develops novel imaging approaches to study individual cells with unprecedented resolution, enabling them to investigate fundamental questions about plasma membrane organization and its role in important biological processes. Key research areas include:

• Developing new bioimaging approaches for individual cells to understand and predict biological function
• Studying plasma membrane organization in influenza virus replication
• Detecting stem cell differentiation for tissue engineering applications
• Investigating algae-bacteria interactions and biofuel production
• Creating noninvasive screening tools for cell fate determination using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning

Analysis of Dr. Kraft's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on advancing imaging technologies for cellular and subcellular analysis. Her work increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional imaging techniques, particularly Raman spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). A significant trend is the development of methods for three-dimensional imaging and depth correction of cellular structures, which has enabled new insights into intracellular lipid and cholesterol distributions. Her research bridges fundamental questions about membrane organization with practical applications in tissue engineering and virology.

Dr. Kraft's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Chien Family Professorial Scholar (2019-present)
• Robert W. Schaefer Faculty Scholar in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (2016-2019)
• Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research (ASBMB, 2014)
• American Vacuum Society (AVS) Prairie Chapter Early-Career Research Award (2015)
• School of Chemical Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2014-2015)
• Career Award at the Scientific Interface from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (2007-2011)
• Excellence in Advising Award from the College of Engineering (2008)

Dr. Kraft has demonstrated exceptional commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers. She has advised numerous graduate students to completion of their Ph.D. and M.S. degrees, with many receiving prestigious fellowships including NIH Kirschstein Fellowships, 3M Corporate Fellowships, and DuPont Fellowships. Her lab has received funding from diverse sources including the National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, and various corporate partnerships, supporting an interdisciplinary research program that bridges chemistry, engineering, and biology.

The Kraft Research Group operates state-of-the-art facilities for bioimaging and single-cell analysis, including advanced secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instrumentation and Raman spectroscopy systems. The lab fosters a collaborative environment with partnerships at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and other institutions. Current research projects focus on three main areas: algae-bacteria interactions and biofuel production, influenza virus replication, and development of platforms for noninvasively screening stem and progenitor cell fate decisions for tissue engineering applications.