Faculty Directory

Stroka, Kimberly

Stroka, Kimberly

Associate Professor
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
3110 A. James Clark Hall
Website(s):

EDUCATION

B.S., Physics, Denison University (2006)

Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park (2011)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University (2012-2014)

HONORS AND AWARDS

2022. Winston Honors Faculty Award

2021. NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award

2020. E. Robert Kent Teaching Award for Junior Faculty (Clark School of Engineering)

2020. Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Faculty Mentor Award

2020. NSF CAREER Award

2019. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Young Innovator

2019.  Faculty Teaching Award, UMD Fischell Department of Bioengineering

2018.  Faculty Teaching Award, UMD Fischell Department of Bioengineering

2017.  Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Maryland Academy of Sciences

2017.  Research and Scholarship Award, UMD Graduate School

2016.  Outstanding Graduate Alumni Award, UMD Fischell Department of Bioengineering

2014.  Burroughs Wellcome Career Award at the Scientific Interface

2014.  Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award, Biomedical Engineering Society

2014.  Cell paper selected to Faculty1000Prime

2014.  Johns Hopkins University Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow Award for Excellence

2013.  NIH NRSA F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Cancer Institute, 4th percentile

2013.  Journal of Cell Biology paper selected to Faculty1000Prime

2013.  Selected for Distinguished Young Scholars Seminar Series, University of Washington Chemical Engineering Department (1 of 8 nationwide)

2012.  NIH NRSA T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship for NanoTechnology in Cancer Medicine

2010.  NIH NRSA F31 Predoctoral Fellowship, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

2006.  NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

2006.  President’s Medal, Denison University, (1 of 5 selected by University President)

2006.  Phi Beta Kappa, Academic Honors Society

2005.  Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

2004.  Anderson Science Scholarship, Full Tuition, Denison University (1 recipient per year)

2004.  Sigma Pi Sigma, Physics Honors Society

2004.  Pi Mu Epsilon, Mathematics Honors Society

2002.  University Scholarship, ¾ Tuition, Denison University

 

Quantitative cell mechanobiology; biomechanics; microfluidic devices for modeling physiological systems; nano/microtechnology; live cell imaging

The Cell and Microenvironment Engineering Lab is focused on understanding the interplay between mechanical and biochemical cues from the cellular microenvironment on cellular behavior during normal homeostasis, progression of diseases, and therapeutic treatments. We engineer cells and their microenvironment in order to create model systems that allow us to systematically understand fundamental aspects of cell and tissue mechanobiology, with the long-term goals of advancing scientific knowledge and directing new therapeutic strategies for diseases. 


BIOE404 - Biomechanics

BIOE413 - Stem Cell Engineering

BIOE613 - Advanced Stem Cell Engineering

BIOE489H - Bioengineering Honors Seminar

See Google Scholar Profile for current list of publications.

Recipients of the MPower Graduate Fellowships Announced

Ph.D. students Alex Pueschel, Allison Moses, and Faranguisse Sadrieh receive MPower Graduate Fellowships.

Recent Bioengineering Graduate Awarded National Mitchell Scholarship

Neelesh Mupparapu (B.S. bioengineering '22) named one of 12 winners to pursue graduate study in Ireland

Duncan Named BMES 2021 Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award Honoree

Duncan is the second Rita Schaffer Award recipient from the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.

Stroka Takes New Look at Cell Migration

BIOE associate professor earns $1.9M NIH grant to explore how aquaporins influence cell migration.

Maisel to Investigate Little-Known Organ in the Body

Dr. Katharina Maisel was awarded a $1.8 million NIH NIGMS grant to study the interstitium and lymphatics.

Huang, Stroka Labs Collaborate to Advance Understanding of Blood-Brain Barrier

BIOE assistant professors aim to develop techniques to target drugs to the central nervous system.

Three Engineering Students Named Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars

The Merrill Scholars program recognizes the University of Maryland's top graduating seniors and their faculty/teacher mentors.

Legacy through Impact: Dr. Darryll J. Pines

UMD President-Designate Darryll Pines inspires a culture of excellence at the Clark School, where everyone plays a part.

Clark School Faculty Receive CAREER Awards

Three faculty members of the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering have received Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Stroka Receives NSF CAREER Award for Cell Mechanobiology Research

BIOE assistant professor to apply grant to shed new light on how blood vessels work.

Stroka Named 2019 Young Innovator of Cellular & Molecular Bioengineering

BIOE assistant professor to be recognized at 2019 BMES Annual Meeting

Python-Based Program Could Advance Understanding of Blood-Brain Barrier

Stroka Lab works to shed new light on Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and drug delivery to the brain.

Four BIOE Ph.D. Students Awarded NIH Fellowships

Students recognized for research in vaccine design, surgical sealants, pulmonary diseases, and multiple sclerosis. 

Jay Receives National Science Foundation CAREER Award

BIOE assistant professor recognized for efforts to develop new class of biotherapeutics.

Stroka Named Outstanding Young Scientist by the Maryland Science Center

BIOE assistant professor honored for tumor cell migration research.

Gray Wins Dr. Mabel S. Spencer Award for Graduate Achievement

BIOE Ph.D. student recognized for efforts to develop therapies for diseases of the central nervous system.

BioE Capstone 2016: New Projects Focus on Improved Healthcare for Underserved Communities, Pediatric Patients, and More

Affordable RT-PCR for clinical diagnostics, fear mitigation device for pediatric MRIs tie for first place.

Inaugural UMD Business Model Challenge Winners Announced

Wheel Shields and UMDTutor2Go received top honors at the event.

UMD's Mtech Pronounces: Business Plan Pitches Are Dead

New Business Model Challenge focuses on business model generation, customer development and pivoting.

Clark School Research Helps Explain Heart Disease

Models show mechanical changes in blood vessel behavior cause cascade of effects.

Stroka Wins NIH Grant for Cardiovascular Research

Grad student's work may help predict onset of strokes and heart attacks.

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