Michael R. King is a Canadian engineer and scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. His work focuses on the development of microfluidic devices and systems for biomedical applications, including drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering.
Born in 1977 in Toronto, Canada, King received his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto in 2000. He then moved to the United States to pursue his graduate studies, earning his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2002. King continued his academic pursuits at MIT, where he received his Ph.D. in Medical Engineering in 2006.
After completing his Ph.D., King joined the faculty at the University of Rochester as an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering. He quickly established himself as a leading researcher in the field, publishing numerous papers on microfluidics and biomedical engineering in top-tier journals. King’s research group at the University of Rochester focuses on the development of innovative microfluidic devices and systems for biomedical applications, including the creation of microscale models of human tissues and organs.
One of King’s most notable contributions to the field is the development of a microfluidic device that can mimic the human liver’s function. This device, known as a “liver-on-a-chip,” has the potential to revolutionize the way drugs are tested and developed, allowing for more accurate and efficient screening of new compounds. King’s work on this project has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Yen-Ben Award.
In addition to his research, King is also a dedicated educator and mentor. He has taught a variety of courses at the University of Rochester, including introductory courses in biomedical engineering and advanced courses in microfluidics and biomicroelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS). King has also supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in academia and industry.
King’s commitment to education and mentorship has been recognized with several awards, including the University of Rochester’s Goergen Award for Excellence in Teaching and the ASME’s Hutchinson Award for outstanding contributions to the field of biomedical engineering.
Throughout his career, King has been recognized with numerous honors and awards for his contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), and has served on the editorial boards of several top-tier journals, including the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering and Lab on a Chip.
In conclusion, Michael R. King is a highly accomplished engineer and scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. His work on microfluidic devices and systems has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach biomedical research and healthcare, and his commitment to education and mentorship has inspired a new generation of engineers and scientists.
King's work on microfluidics and biomedical engineering has far-reaching implications for the development of new medical treatments and devices. His research has the potential to improve human health and quality of life, and his commitment to education and mentorship is inspiring a new generation of engineers and scientists.
Research Focus
King’s research focuses on the development of microfluidic devices and systems for biomedical applications. He is particularly interested in the creation of microscale models of human tissues and organs, which can be used to study disease mechanisms and develop new treatments.
Some of the specific areas that King’s research group is currently exploring include:
- The development of microfluidic devices for drug delivery and targeting
- The creation of microscale models of human tissues and organs, such as the liver and kidney
- The use of microfluidics to study disease mechanisms and develop new treatments for conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease
King’s research group is highly interdisciplinary, and he collaborates with researchers from a variety of fields, including engineering, biology, and medicine.
King's Research Process
- Identify a biomedical problem or challenge
- Develop a microfluidic device or system to address the problem
- Test and validate the device or system
- Analyze the results and refine the device or system as needed
- Collaborate with researchers from other fields to explore new applications and technologies
Awards and Honors
King has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of biomedical engineering. Some of his notable awards include:
- National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) Yen-Ben Award
- University of Rochester’s Goergen Award for Excellence in Teaching
- ASME’s Hutchinson Award for outstanding contributions to the field of biomedical engineering
King is also a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).
What is microfluidics, and how is it used in biomedical engineering?
+Microfluidics is the study of the behavior of fluids on a microscale. In biomedical engineering, microfluidics is used to develop devices and systems that can manipulate and analyze small amounts of fluid, such as blood or other bodily fluids. These devices and systems have a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering.
What is a “liver-on-a-chip,” and how does it work?
+A “liver-on-a-chip” is a microfluidic device that mimics the function of the human liver. It is a small, chip-like device that contains a network of microscale channels and chambers, which are used to culture liver cells and mimic the liver’s function. The device can be used to test the toxicity of new drugs, as well as to study liver disease and develop new treatments.
