Sungmin Nam

Sungmin Nam serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, leading research at the intersection of mechanics and biological systems to pioneer novel medical solutions through mechano-medicine.

His academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University (2019)
• MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University (2015)
• BS in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University (2013)

Nam's research integrates Mechanobiology, Biomaterials, and Biomechanics to develop medical devices and mechanotherapies. His work spans Biomechanics & Biosystems Engineering, Mechanics & Materials, and Micro/Nano Engineering, focusing on how mechanical signals trigger cellular responses (mechanotransduction) for precision medicine applications. This multidisciplinary approach bridges fundamental cellular studies with tissue-level engineering for translational impact in healthcare.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• New Investigator Recognition Award – Orthopedic Research Society (ORS), 2023
• Innovators Under 35 (Korea) – MIT Technology Review, 2022
• Rising Stars in Soft and Biological Matter Symposium – NSF MRSEC, 2022
• Baxter Young Investigator Award – Baxter Healthcare, 2022
• Wyss Technology Development Fellow – Harvard University, 2019–2024
• Samsung Scholarship Fellow, 2015–2019
• Multiple travel awards and undergraduate honors from Seoul National University

Nam directs Sungmin Nam's Group, which advances mechano-medicine through three core pillars: soft materials innovation, biomechanics characterization, and mechanobiology-driven medical device development for real-world clinical challenges.