Dr. Niklason’s research focuses primarily on regenerative strategies for cardiovascular and lung tissues, and the impact of biomechanical and biochemical signals of tissue differentiation and development. In 2005, Niklason founded the biotechnology company, Humacyte, which is working to bring engineered tissue replacements to patients. Niklason was named one of only 19 “Innovators for the Next Century” by US News and World Report in 2001 for her work in creating engineered arteries. Her lab was also one of the first to describe the engineering of whole lung tissue that could exchange gas in vivo, cited by Time Magazine as one of the top 50 most important inventions of the year in 2010. Niklason received a Ph.D. in Biophysics from University of Chicago and an M.D. from University of Michigan.