Nicholas Kurniawan

Nicholas Kurniawan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He leads research in the Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology group and is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). His work focuses on understanding how physical and mechanical environments influence cell behavior through biomimetic cellular environments at multiple scales.

His academic background includes:

• PhD (2012) from National University of Singapore (matrix viscoelasticity in cancer metastasis)
• Postdoctoral research as Marie Curie Fellow at AMOLF (Amsterdam)
• Joined TU/e in 2015

Kurniawan's research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning biophysics, cell biology, protein polymers, biomechanics, and soft matter. He creates biomimetic cellular environments from 2D micropatterns to 3D extracellular matrices where physical and mechanical cues to cells can be precisely controlled. His goal is to use these insights to direct cell response in vivo for tissue regeneration and disease progression management. His work has significant implications for cardiovascular tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on how substrate topography, adhesion, and dimensionality affect cell behavior, particularly in fibroblasts and corneal tissue. These studies explore the fundamental mechanisms of cell orientation, migration, and differentiation in response to engineered microenvironments.

He serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology and has secured significant research funding from prestigious sources.

Kurniawan teaches several courses including Cell Mechanobiology and Engineering, Heart and Blood, Light Microscopy for Biological Samples, and Project: In Vitro Modeling. His research group develops advanced in vitro platforms to systematically break down the origins of basic cellular behavior.

His laboratory work is centered in the Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology group, where they investigate the Cell-Matrix Interactions in Cardiovascular Tissue Regeneration. The team employs cutting-edge techniques including protein micropatterning, hydrogel engineering, and advanced microscopy to explore how cells respond to physical cues in their environment.