Margaret F. Donovan Endowed Chair, Professor and Interim Chair for Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Professor of Chemical Engineering
The overarching goal in our laboratory is to design 3D environments that control cell response, with a particular emphasis on peripheral nerve regeneration. In order to achieve this goal, we have put forth a significant effort to understand the behavior of cells and enhance neural cell response in biologically-relevant three-dimensional scaffolds. Over the past 20 years, our laboratory has manipulated the extracellular environment to increase nerve regrowth and Schwann cell proliferation in vitroand increase functional nerve recovery in vivo.
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About Rebecca K. Willits
The overarching goal in our laboratory is to design 3D environments that control cell response, with a particular emphasis on peripheral nerve regeneration. In order to achieve this goal, we have put forth a significant effort to understand the behavior of cells and enhance neural cell response in biologically-relevant three-dimensional scaffolds. Over the past 20 years, our laboratory has manipulated the extracellular environment to increase nerve regrowth and Schwann cell proliferation in vitroand increase functional nerve recovery in vivo.
| Present | Margaret F. Donovan Endowed Chair, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
Grants
| 2017 - Present | Collaborative Research: Professional Preparation of Underrepresented Minority PhD's and Post-Docs for a Career in Engineering Academia |
| NSF | |
| Role: Co-PI | |
| Colleague(s): Teresa Cutright | |
| 2016 - Present | Haptotactic and topographical scaffolds to speed nerve regeneration |
| NSF | |
| CBET | |
| Role: PI | |
| Colleague(s): Matthew Becker | |
| 2015 - Present | Affording opportunities for sustained success of STEM students” |
| NSF | |
| DUE | |
| Role: co-PI | |
| Colleague(s): Teresa Cutright | |
| 2015 - Present | Toward Xeno-free Stem Cell Culture: Nanofiber-directed Differentiation of mESC to Neurons |
| NIH | |
| Role: MPI | |
| Colleague(s): Matthew Becker | |
| 2017 - 2017 | Outcomes of Electrical Stimulation in Nerve Repair with Rat Sciatic Isograft |
| American Society for Surgery of the Hand | |
| Basic Science Grant | |
| Role: co-PI | |
| Colleague(s): William Lanzinger and Carol Fouad |
Professional Service and Affiliations
| 2017 - Present | Board of Directors, Biomedical Engineering Society | 2015 - Present | Awards Committee Chairperson, Biomedical Engineering Society | 2008 | National Meeting Program Co-Chair, Biomedical Engineering Society |
Honors and Awards
- 2018 Faculty Engagement Award, LIFE Awards, The University of Akron (nominated and selected by students)
- 2018 Omicron Delta Kappa Passion Award, The University of Akron (nominated and selected by students)
- 2017-18 Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering (ELATE) Fellow
- AIMBE Fellow
- 2013 UA Research Mentor of the Year
- 2012 “Favorite Faculty Member” by National Residence Hall Honorary, Richard Hansford Chapter
