Welcome to the szczesny lab

The Tendon Multiscale Mechanics and Mechanobiology Lab is part of the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at the Pennsylvania State University. Our research investigates the interplay between tendon multiscale mechanics and mechanobiology in the context of tissue remodeling (e.g., degeneration, repair, and development).

In the Szczesny Lab we are committed to educate and advocate to improve representation of women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities within science and engineering.

 

Our research seeks to enhance fundamental scientific knowledge of mechanobiology through the identification of the mechanical stimuli sensed by cells, the mechanotransduction mechanisms used to sense these stimuli, and the downstream signaling pathways that lead to a biological response (i.e., gene expression and protein synthesis), specifically in tendons and ligaments. The ultimate goals of this work are to improve human health by discovering novel mechanisms for preventing tendon degeneration, improving ligament repair and reconstruction, and developing tissue engineered replacements via manipulation of mechanotransduction signaling pathways. This multidisciplinary research involves the use of multiscale mechanical testing, computational modeling, cell and tissue culture, and biomaterial fabrication.

                   

   Tendon Development                     Tendon Degeneration                    Ligament Repair       

 

                                                           

                                                           

                            

       

 

Art inspired by Sammy Katta’s Diversity and Inclusion Posters (Racial Justice and Diversity – Sammy Katta)

 

 

 

Spencer Szczesny, Ph. D. (he/him)
Associate Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Office: 425 Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building
Lab: 424 CBE Building
Email: ses297@psu.edu
Tel: 814-865-3284

Mailing Address:
Pennsylvania State University
Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
CBE Building Suite 122
University Park, PA 16802