SYSTEMS MECHANOBIOLOGY LAB

Dr. Will Richardson earned a B.S. in Biological Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2007, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2012 where he worked with Dr. Jimmy Moore to develop novel devices for subjecting cells to non-uniform mechanical strains. After graduate work, he was awarded an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship to work with Dr. Jeff Holmes and Dr. Jeff Saucerman at the University of Virginia where he helped develop computational models of cell-matrix mechanobiology to understand myocardial infarct scar regulation. In 2016, Will joined Clemson University’s Department of Bioengineering and started the Systems Mechanobiology Lab. The lab’s expertise is matrix systems mechanobiology, focusing on the use of computational models to identify cell processes dominating matrix structural regulation, conducted alongside high-throughput cell-stretching experiments to test model predictions. The lab pursues a multi-scale, systems-level understanding of tissue fibrosis in order to engineer novel technologies for controlling fibrotic remodeling involved in various diseases. Will has received several honors for this work including an AHA Scientist Development Grant, the ASME Richard Skalak Award, the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Early Career Award, and the Dean’s Endowed Professorship. But his favorite honor is the immense privilege of exploring the wonders of nature inside and outside the lab (especially hiking and camping with his wife and kids).