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.

BIOE Announces 2024 Fischell Fellows at EPIC Retreat

Two BIOE Ph.D. students were named Fischell Fellows at the seventh annual EPIC Retreat.

Meet the First Cohort of the MARC Program

The inaugural cohort of MARC scholars complete their first year in the research training program.

BIOE Students Showcase Award-Winning Innovation at Capstone Expo

Bioengineering students presented 20 innovative designs to solve today’s biggest challenges in healthcare.

MARC Program Now Accepting Applications

The Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program is now accepting applications from rising sophmore engineering students.

Bioengineering Celebrates Undergraduate Excellence

9 BIOE students received awards during annual Undergraduate Honors and Awards ceremony

Four BIOE Terps Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Two seniors and two alumni were selected for this prestigious fellowship.

Recipients of the MPower Graduate Fellowships Announced

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

Maisel & Mueller Win Provost's Do Good Innovator Awards

Assistant Professors Kathrina Maisel and Jenna Mueller are selected for the Do Good Innovator Awards.

BIOE Announces Spring 2023 Instructional Impact Awards

BIOE announces the three recipients of the Instructional Impact Awards for the spring 2023 semester.

UMD Researchers to Lead NIH-funded Program Supporting Underrepresented Students

The MARC award will support an educational program for traditionally underrepresented students in STEM.

Recent Bioengineering Graduate Awarded National Mitchell Scholarship

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

Dr. Stroka, Erfan Jabari Receive Winston Family Honors

UMD Honors College recognizes BIOE faculty member, student.

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.

Clyne, Ma, Stroka Promoted

The three BIOE faculty are promoted to Professor, Senior Lecturer, and Associate Professor, respectively.

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.

Samantha Kraus Named Philip Merrill Presidential Scholar

Kraus recognized high school teacher Matthew Groden, BIOE Assistant Professor Kim Stroka for their mentorship.

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.

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

BIOE Celebrates Second REU Class

The NSF-supported program provides undergraduate students with hands-on laboratory experience.

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.

BIOE Researchers Draw New Connections between Brain Environment, Breast Cancer Metastasis

Stroka Lab sheds light on factors leading to breast cancer metastasis.

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 2017: Projects Focus on Pediatric Care, Physical Therapy, Pulmonary Tumors, and More

BIOE hosted it's largest-ever Capstone Design competition on May 10th, 2017.

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.

Gray Named 2014 Fischell Fellow

BioE graduate student working to develop blood-brain barrier-on-a-chip.

Stroka Awarded BMES 2014 Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award

Newly appointed BIOE Assistant Professor Kimberly Stroka recognized for published work.

Stroka Awarded BWF Career Award

BioE Assistant Professor Kimberly Stroka recognized for blood-brain barrier mechanobiology research.

Stroka, Scarcelli Join BioE Faculty

Assistant Professors Kimberly M. Stroka and Giuliano Scarcelli were recently named BioE faculty members.

Novel Biophysical Models Help Explain Mechanics of Cardiovascular Disease

Stroka, Aranda-Espinoza publish results in Blood.

Stroka Wins NIH Grant for Cardiovascular Research

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award will fund work on the biophysics of cell transmigration through the vascular endothelium.

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