Energy-Responsive Biomaterials Group
Dr. Carolyn Schutt Ibsen's research group is focused on developing energy-responsive biomaterial platforms for tumor modeling and regenerative medicine. We have a particular interest in stimuli-responsive materials that can be controlled remotely and noninvasively using ultrasound. Our efforts include developing dynamic tissue-engineered platforms to model cancer progression in response to oncogenic stimuli. We also engineer responsive biomaterial systems to guide tissue repair and regeneration. Our work lies at the intersection of nanomaterials design, tissue engineering, gene/drug delivery and ultrasound physics. We are committed to fostering a lab culture that supports diversity, equity and inclusion and training the next generation of scientists through dedicated mentorship. 

Research Focus Areas:
-Stimuli-responsive 3D tumor models to study cancer initiation and for cancer biomarker discovery
-Tissue-engineered hydrogel scaffolds for regenerative medicine therapies
-Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for drug and gene delivery
-3-D Bioprinting of complex tissue constructs

Positions Available
We are recruiting highly motivated students and postdocs to join our team! Please email ibsenc@ohsu.edu to inquire.

Biography
Dr. Ibsen joined OHSU in 2018 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She holds a joint appointment with the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center (CEDAR) in the Knight Cancer Institute.  In 2023, she was recognized with the Rising Star Junior Faculty Award in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering from the Biomedical Engineering Society.  She is also a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and the NIH/NIGMS Maximizing Investigator's Research Award (R35 MIRA). Additionally, she has served on the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) Training and Education Working Group.

Prior to OHSU, Dr. Ibsen completed a Whitaker International Postdoctoral Fellowship at Imperial College London, working with biomaterials for engineered tissue and regenerative medicine in the group of Dr. Molly Stevens. She holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego. Her graduate work focused on the development of energy-responsive nanomaterials for cancer therapy and diagnostics using light, ultrasound, and their combination.