I have been involved in bioengineering research for over 20 years, starting with my graduate work at the Georgia Institute of Technology, continuing on with my postdoctoral work at Harvard University and as an independent PI at the University of Arkansas. My primary areas of expertise are in mechanobiology, biomechanics, tissue engineering, biomaterials and organ-on-chip technologies as these topics relate to cardiovascular, neurovascular and airway diseases such as aortic valve disease or stenosis, as well as the capillary microvasculature. The lack of realistic benchtop models for various organ systems that mimic native tissue structure and mechanics have hampered our understanding of the mechanosensitive pathophysiological processes, and the development of early diagnostic and treatment strategies for these diseases. The long-term research