Sara Roccabianca

Sara Roccabianca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at Washington University in St. Louis (joined 2024). She previously served at Michigan State University (2014–2024) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University under Prof. Jay D. Humphrey. Her research integrates experimental and modeling approaches to study urinary tract and cardiovascular biomechanics, focusing on tissue adaptation/maladaptation mechanisms. She holds a PhD, MS, and BS in Engineering from the University of Trento (2011, 2007, 2004).

Education:

• PhD, University of Trento, 2011
• MS, University of Trento, 2007
• BS, University of Trento, 2004

Research Focus: Investigates how tissues in the urinary tract and cardiovascular systems respond to mechanical stimuli. Key areas include cell-extracellular matrix interactions in myocardium modeling, perivascular adipose tissue's role in vascular mechanics, and bladder mechanics in conditions like radiation cystitis. Her work aims to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for tissue-related diseases.

Grants & Advising: Leads a research group advancing mechanobiological models; specific grant details not listed. No advisee names provided in text.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for Women’s Health Engineering, hosting events like the Mini-Research Symposium (Dec 2024).