Rate Professor Joe Tien

Professional Summary: Professor Joe Tien

Professor Joe Tien is a distinguished academic and researcher at Boston University, where he serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. With a focus on innovative approaches to tissue engineering and microfluidics, Dr. Tien has made significant contributions to the field of biomedical engineering through his interdisciplinary research and dedication to advancing medical technologies.

Academic Background and Degrees

Dr. Tien holds the following academic credentials:

• Ph.D. in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 1999
• S.B. in Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1994

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Tien's research primarily focuses on:

• Tissue Engineering: Developing engineered tissues with functional vascular networks for medical applications.
• Microfluidics: Utilizing microfluidic systems to model physiological environments and study cellular behavior.
• Biomaterials: Designing materials that mimic natural tissue properties for regenerative medicine.

His work bridges fundamental science with practical applications, contributing to advancements in organ-on-chip technologies and vascular biology.

Career History and Appointments

Dr. Tien has held several notable positions during his academic career:

• Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 2010–Present
• Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 2004–2010
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, 1999–2004

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Tien has been recognized for his contributions to biomedical engineering with the following accolades:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, recognizing early-career faculty for research and educational excellence, 2007
• Member of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows, elected for outstanding contributions to tissue engineering, 2020

Key Publications

Dr. Tien has authored numerous influential papers and articles in high-impact journals. A selection of his notable works includes:

• Tien, J., & Nelson, C. M. (2006). 'Microstructured extracellular matrices in tissue engineering and development.' Current Opinion in Biotechnology.
• Chrobak, K. M., Potter, D. R., & Tien, J. (2006). 'Formation of perfused, functional microvascular tubes in vitro.' Microvascular Research.
• Zheng, Y., Chen, J., Craven, M., Choi, N. W., Totorica, S., Diaz-Santana, A., ... & Tien, J. (2012). 'In vitro microvessels for the study of angiogenesis and thrombosis.' Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
• Morgan, J. P., Delnero, P. F., Zheng, Y., Verbridge, S. S., Chen, J., Craven, M., ... & Tien, J. (2013). 'Formation of microvascular networks in vitro from stem cell-derived endothelial cells.' Nature Protocols.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Tien's pioneering work in creating vascularized tissue constructs has had a profound impact on the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. His research on microfluidic models has provided new tools for studying vascular biology and developing therapeutic strategies for diseases involving blood vessels. His contributions have been widely cited, influencing both academic research and practical applications in biotechnology and healthcare.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Dr. Tien is actively involved in the academic community through various roles:

• Regular speaker at international conferences such as the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting and the Gordon Research Conference on Tissue Engineering.
• Reviewer and editorial board member for prominent journals in biomedical engineering, including Lab on a Chip and Tissue Engineering.
• Member of grant review panels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF).