The National Science Foundation has awarded Kristen
Mills, assistant professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering at
Rensselaer, a Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award grant for
her research on cancer cell growth. According to the award description, “The
scientific impact of this work will be significant, as it will significantly
contribute to the fundamental understanding of tumor growth and development—key
questions that must be answered to allow future developments in cancer
treatment.”

As the award
description explains, when cells grow and divide,
they push against a matrix surrounding them, creating a compressive force
because of that constraint. Right now it is not known how that compression
affects future cell division and growth, but diseases like cancer often grow in
matrices that are stiffer than heathy ones. Mills’ research aims to understand how
cells decide how much constraint-induced compression is healthy and how tumor
cells act differently.

In addition to supporting Mills’ research, this award
will also help fund educational and outreach activities aimed at engaging high
school and college-level students in understanding the importance of
biomechanics.

This prestigious award from the National Science
Foundation is given to early-career faculty who “have
the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to
lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.”