Over the past decade, stem cell research and applications have gained significant prominence due to the revolutionary discoveries and enabling technologies being developed at the intersection of multiple disciplines. Stem cell engineering primarily involves integration between stem cell biology, engineering design principles and regenerative medicine. The number of journal publications and patent applications in stem cell engineering research is on the rise. Harnessing biophysical, biochemical and mechanical cues in the stem cell microenvironment are part of evolving strategies to regulate propagation and differentiation outcomes, leading to applications in clinical settings. This thematic series highlights these exciting new trends in stem cell engineering and regenerative medicine.

If you are interested in submitting a manuscript for this thematic series, please contact the series editor, Raj R. Rao, with a title and an abstract. The series will run throughout 2017.

Professor Jeong-Yeol Yoon

Jeong-Yeol received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul (South Korea) in 1992, 1994 and 1999, respectively, under the guidance of Professor Woo-Sik Kim, in collaboration with Professor Jung-Hyun Kim, where he worked primarily on polymer colloids. He received his second Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from University of California, Los Angeles in 2004, working on lab-on-a-chip and biomaterials, under the guidance of Professor Robin L. Garrell. He joined faculty of the University of Arizona in August 2004, and currently holds split home appointments in Department of Biomedical Engineering (primary) and Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (secondary). He also holds a joint appointment in BIO5 Institute. He is currently directing Biosensors Lab. Dr Yoon is a member of IBE, ASABE and SPIE, and was Councilor-at-Large for IBE for 2010 and 2011 calendar years. He has been elected as President of IBE in 2013, and served as President Elect in 2014, President in 2015, and Immediate Past President in 2016. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Biological Engineering (IBE) and Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group), and has served as Associate Editor for ASABE journals and Editorial Board Member for Resource Magazine (ASABE). Dr Yoon is currently Co-Director of NIH-funded Cardiovascular Training Grant at the University of Arizona.

For more information, see Professor Yoon's lab website.

Professor Raj R Rao

Professor Rao received his B.E. (Hons) and M.Sc (Hons) concurrently in Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences, respectively, from Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS), Pilani, India. He then went on to earn his M.S in Biotechnology from the University of Texas, and his Ph.D in Biological Engineering from the University of Georgia. He currently serves as the Department Head and Billingsley Endowed Professor in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Prior to that (2005-2016), he served on the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, in the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, School of Engineering. He is a valued member of the Society for Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Society, Institute of Biological Engineering, and International Society for Stem Cell Research. Professor Rao has authored over 50 peer reviewed articles in a wide range of journals.

For more information, see Professor Rao's department page.