Kelly Burke

Associate Professor

Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Dr. Burke’s research projects involve elucidating the relationships between synthesis, structure, and function of natural and synthetic polymers. She synthesize polymers with controlled and unique structures, as well as modify naturally-occurring polymers to impart new functional behavior to more sustainable materials sources.

She are especially interested in controlling chemistry and properties of materials at biological interfaces to probe, and ultimately tailor, eukaryotic cell and protein responses. Broadly, she seeks to advance fundamental knowledge of cell-cell, cell-material, and extracellular matrix-(ECM) material interfaces, with applications that include control over ECM deposition and organization (including fouling and anti-fouling surfaces), stem cell differentiation, and fibroblast and immune cell polarization.