Lauren Pruett

Biography

2026-Present
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

2022-2026
Postdoctoral Researcher
Center for Gynepathology Research, Department of Biological Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2017-2022
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Virginia

Education

• PhD, Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2022
• BS, Bioengineering, Clemson University, 2017

Research

The Pruett research group develops synthetic hydrogels to support tissue-engineered models that replicate key features of human disease. By integrating biomaterials, microfluidics, and quantitative approaches, the lab creates vascularized disease models centered on women’s health, with broad applicability for investigating complex vascular and inflammatory disorders.

Areas of Expertise

• Biomaterials
• Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
• Microphysiological Systems

Awards and Recognition

• Society for Reproductive Investigation Bayer President’s Presenter Award
• UVA Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
• National Institutes of Health F31 Fellowship
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
• University of Virginia Wagner Fellowship
• University of Virginia Double Hoo Award
• Clemson Bioengineering Departmental Honors Award

Publications

For a complete list of recent publications, see Google Scholar.

• Pruett, L., Bahlmann, L., Ogi, R., Jiao, A., Roy, P., Johnson, M., Trumper, D., Griffith, L. (2026) “Development of a Synthetic Hydrogel to Foster Microvascularization of an Endometriosis Microphysiological System”. Advanced Healthcare Materials.
• Pruett, L., Kenny, H., Swift, W., Catallo, K., Apsel, Z., Salopek, L., Scumpia, P., Cottler, P., Daniero, J., Griffin, D. (2023). “De Novo Tissue Formation using Custom Microporous Annealed Particle Hydrogel Provides Long-Term Vocal Fold Augmentation”. NPJ Regenerative Medicine.
• Pruett, L., Taing, A., Singh, N., Peirce, S., Griffin, D. (2022). “In silico optimization of heparin microislands in microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogel for endothelial cell migration”. Acta Biomaterialia.
• Pruett, L., Jenkins, C., Singh, N., Catallo, K., Griffin, D. (2021). “Heparin Microislands in Microporous Annealed Particle Scaffolds for Accelerated Diabetic Wound Healing.” Advanced Functional Materials. 
• Pfaff, B.*, Pruett, L.*, Cornell, N., De Rutte, J., Di Carlo, D., Highley, C., Griffin, D. (2021). “Selective and Improved Photoannealing of Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) Scaffolds.” ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering.
• Pruett, L., Ellis, R., McDermott, M., Roosa, C., Griffin, D. (2021). “Spatially heterogeneous epidermal growth factor release from microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogel for improved wound closure.” Journal of Materials Chemistry B.