My passions lie in studying the physical interactions between cells and their surroundings that underlie pathologies involving a fibrotic phenotype. I’m interested in how mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix contribute to the progression of fibrosis, and in particular how cells use forces to remodel their microenvironment during this process. My PhD work will first aim to develop an in vitro model that allows us to observe cellular forces during myofibroblast induction. I will then use this platform to understand how cells interpret and alter extracellular matrix mechanics and structure during the progression of fibrosis.