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Sharon Gerecht

Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor
Biomedical Engineering

Overview


Dr. Gerecht is an internationally recognized pioneer in stem cells and vascular biology and engineering. Gerecht’s research group studies how the microenvironment regulates cellular responses, with the long-term goal of developing countermeasures and therapeutics. We emulate mechanical and physical stressors toward understanding tissue function, reliance, and homeostasis. We use that information to uncover pathways in injury and disease development to guide tissue healing and regeneration. We focus on blood vessels and their multifaceted roles in tissue performance, aging, and disease. 

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor · 2022 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2022 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering · 2024 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2022 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published September 30, 2024
Nursing, Pratt Collaborate to Tackle Health Challenges
Published July 18, 2023
Taking Academic Leadership to the Next Level
Published May 18, 2022
University Awards 24 New Distinguished Professorships

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Recent Publications


Cytoplasmic anillin and Ect2 promote RhoA/myosin II-dependent confined migration and invasion.

Journal Article Nature materials · June 2025 Cell migration in mechanically confined environments is a crucial step of metastatic cancer progression. Nonetheless, the molecular components and processes mediating such behaviour are still not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that a pool of the sca ... Full text Cite

Cell-Material Interactions in Vascular Tissue Engineering

Journal Article Accounts of Materials Research · May 23, 2025 The vascular system, encompassing blood and lymphatic vessels, is essential for nutrient transport, waste elimination, and homeostasis regulation. Composed of endothelial cells and mural cells, such as smooth muscle cells and pericytes, the vasculature is ... Full text Cite

CaMKK2 Regulates Macrophage Polarization Induced by Matrix Stiffness: Implications for Shaping the Immune Response in Stiffened Tissues.

Journal Article Adv Sci (Weinh) · April 2025 Macrophages are essential for immune responses and maintaining tissue homeostasis, exhibiting a wide range of phenotypes depending on their microenvironment. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a vital component that provides structural support and organizat ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Engineering three-dimensional perfusable microphysiological models of the human inner blood-retina barrier

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Eye Institute · 2024 - 2027

University Training Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1994 - 2027

Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Israel Institute of Technology (Israel) · 2004 Ph.D.