Alumnus Joins Faculty of Incheon National University, Korea

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) extends its congratulations to alumnus Kyobum Kim (Ph.D. ’10), who has accepted a position in the Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering at Incheon National University, Korea.

In his new role, Kim will teach fundamental bioscience classes including cell biology and biochemistry, and develop new courses on tissue engineering, biomaterials, and stem cell science. He will also continue his research on the clinical application of stem cells and biomaterials in regenerative medicine.

During his graduate studies at the University of Maryland, Kim was advised by Fischell Department of Bioengineering Professor John Fisher. As a member of Fisher’s Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials Laboratory, he investigated stem cell response to engineered scaffolding (support structures) and hydrogels used in the regeneration of tissue and bone. In particular, he explored how adjusting the characteristics of the biomaterials that support implanted stem cells could be used to control the differentiation of those cells into the type of tissue cells required. These adjustments could also be used to influence the behavior of the patient’s existing tissue cells.

Kim then joined Rice University professor Antonios G. Mikos’ research group, one of the most prestigious in the fields of tissue engineering and biomaterials. There, he developed bilayer composite hydrogels to encourage the differentiation and growth of two distinct cell types in a single support structure. The goal was to engineer tissue that mimicked the distinct layers of cartilage and bone found in osteochondral tissue.

After completing his studies at Rice, Kim became a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, where he investigated how to effectively deliver heparin-binding growth factors to cells.

Published February 4, 2014