Sing-Wan Wong

Sing-Wan Wong: Bioengineering Researcher

Dr. Sing-Wan Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU), affiliated with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. His research focuses on mechanobiology and cell-based therapies for fibrosis and tissue regeneration, leveraging biomaterials and microfluidics to engineer mesenchymal stromal/stem cells. He leads the Biomechanics and Stem Cell Therapeutics (BSCT) lab at CSU, actively recruiting students for interdisciplinary projects.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2016)
• B.S. in Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2010)
• Postdoctoral Training in Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago (2016–2021)

Research Themes: Dr. Wong’s work integrates engineering principles with biology to study how biophysical cues (e.g., matrix stiffness, oxidative stress) influence stem cell behavior. Key areas include:

• Designing biomaterials to modulate cell secretomes
• Microfluidic platforms for single-cell manipulation
• Therapeutic applications for musculoskeletal fibrosis

Awards & Funding:

• NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (NIAMS, $1M, 2021–2026)
• Bristow Poster Award (2017–2019)
• Co-inventor of U.S. patents on anti-fibrotic therapies (Alginate-coated MSCs and indolinone molecules)

Grants & Labs: His NIH-funded research supports lab operations and student training. The BSCT lab collaborates on projects like engineering anti-oxidative agents for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dr. Wong actively mentors over 20 students across PhD, MS, and undergraduate programs.

Professional Roles:

• Editorial Board Member: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Gels
• Reviewer: Advanced Materials, Scientific Reports, and others
• Member: VinFuture Prize Nominating Committee