This book covers up-to-date knowledge of how designs found in nature use tissue hierarchies to achieve optimal functions, and how these principles are applied in bioengineering. The hierarchy-based multiscale approach has the potential to drive novel biomaterial designs, advance tissue engineering and regeneration, assist in tissue-function integration, improve high-fidelity computational modeling aided by machine learning, and enhance the development of innovative characterization tools and methodologies. This book presents the latest high-impact research achievements in bioengineered and natural hierarchical systems within a clinical context. Our aim is two-fold: (i) to emphasize the importance of integrating and bridging bioengineering designs at various tissue hierarchical levels and (ii) to foster dialogue and collaboration among bioengineers, biomechanists, and clinicians.
Dr. Jun Liao is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He is a Fellow of AIMBE, ASME, and AHA. He received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Cleveland State University and his postdoctoral training from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Liao’s research is far-reaching, covering tissue biomechanics, tissue engineering and regeneration, and computational modeling and simulation. Dr. Liao has published 110 peer-reviewed journal articles, 195 conference presentations/posters, 9 book chapters, and 2 books. He is currently an Associate Editor for BMES Annals of Biomedical Engineering, ASME Journal of Medical Devices, and the Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. He is an Editorial Board Member for the Engineered Regeneration Journal and Bioengineering Journal. He also serves as the Co-Leader of the Cardiovascular Theme in the ASME Bioengineering Division. As the team Faculty Mentor, Dr. Liao guided four UTA seniors to win the BMES Coulter College Design Competition Best Overall Award in 2023.
Dr. Joyce Wong is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at Boston University. She is a Fellow of the NAI, AAAS, BMES, AIMBE, IAMBE, CRS, and IUSBSE. She received her PhD in Materials Science & Engineering in the Program for Polymer Science & Technology from MIT and was a NIH postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is an Inaugural Term Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering at Boston University. She is a past president of AIMBE and was recently elected President-Elect of Society for Biomaterials. Her research focuses on developing biomaterials for the early detection and treatment of disease with focus on maternal and child health. Her current projects include pediatric bioengineered blood vessel patches, theranostic agents to detect and treat abdominal surgical adhesions, and most recently, development of biomaterial systems for maternal health. She has published over 120 peer-reviewed publications, 11 pending or issued patents, and has mentored over 100 trainees. In 2020, she received the Clemson Award for Basic Research from the Society for Biomaterials. She currently serves on the NIH NIBIB Advisory Council and is currently a Deputy Editor for Science Advances.
