BME7900 Seminar: Stephanie Willerth (Victoria)

Description

Bio:
Stephanie Willerth is professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria and Chief Executive Officer for Axolotl Biosciences. She received dual undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and biology from MIT, before earning her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical/medical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.

Since starting as faculty in 2010, Prof. Willerth has successfully run an interdisciplinary research program investigating neural tissue engineering treatments for disorders of the central nervous system and training highly qualified personnel. Her research combines stem cells, tissue engineering, drug delivery, cellular reprogramming and 3D bioprinting. She has been recognized as a leader in the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering as evidenced by her Tier II Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering, being named a Woman of Innovation in 2017, a Young Innovator in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering in 2015, and served as the President of the Canadian Biomaterials Society in 2017-8. She also currently serves as the Acting Director of the Centre for Biomedical Research located at the University of Victoria. Her work in training HQP at the undergraduate level led her to be named the winner of the 2018 REACH award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research-inspired Teaching – a prestigious University-wide award.