Biography
Andrea M. Kasko graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Chemistry. In 1999, she obtained a M.S.E. in Macromolecular Science Engineering from Case Western Reserve University under the direction of Professor Virgil Percec, and in 2004 she obtained a PhD in Polymer Science at the University of Akron working with Professor Coleen Pugh. After two years of post-doctoral research sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, under the direction of Professor Kristi Anseth at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Andrea joined the Bioengineering Department at UCLA, where she is currently a Full Professor.
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Research Interests
The overall theme of her research group is the synthesis of new polymeric biomaterials, focusing specifically in two areas: dynamically controllable biomaterials and biomimetic and bio-derived materials.
Education
1999 – 2004 Ph.D., Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH; “Controlled Synthesis of Mesogenic Star Polymers and their Miscibility with Polymers with other Architectures” Research Advisor: Professor Coleen Pugh
1997 – 1999 M.S.E., Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Department of Macromolecular Science Engineering Cleveland, OH Research Advisor: Professor Virgil Percec
1993 – 1997 B.S., Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Undergraduate Research Advisor: Professor Coleen Pugh (1996-1997)
Professional Experience
2019 – Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
2013 – 2019 Associate Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
2006 – 2013 Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, UCLA
2004 – 2006 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Research Advisor: Professor Kristi Anseth
Honors and Awards
NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2011)
Doc Stevenson Award for Outstanding Faculty in Residence (2012, 2014)