Natasha Case, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Education
Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
Research Interests
Case conducts research in the area of orthopaedic bioengineering, with an emphasis on articular cartilage and bone. Her research is focused in tissue and cellular biomechanics, tissue engineering, and mechanobiology. The function of orthopaedic tissues depends upon tissue structure, with both matrix composition and organization being important factors. Achieving sufficient tissue structure to support adequate tissue function remains a significant challenge for orthopaedic repair strategies. Research in Case’s laboratory focuses on how mechanical, biophysical, and biochemical stimuli interact to direct cartilage tissue development and adaptation, with the results of this work being used to optimize tissue engineering strategies. Tissue development studies are complemented by research on tissue biomechanics and cartilage mechanobiology. Mechanobiology studies also include investigations into how application of external biophysical signals can be used to enhance cartilage repair strategies. Her research aims to expand knowledge about structure-function relationships in orthopaedic tissues and to increase understanding about biophysical regulation of these tissues, with the long-term goal of applying knowledge in these areas to enhance repair strategies for orthopaedic tissues.
Community Work and Service
Natasha Case became an assistant professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Parks College in August 2014. Prior to joining Saint Louis University, she was a research scholar in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine investigating how biophysical stimuli can be used to enhance cartilage tissue engineering strategies. Following completion of her Ph.D., Case conducted post-doctoral research in the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina focusing on mechanical signal transduction in bone cells.