乐播传媒

Professor Kristi L Kiick

We fondly remember our former Honorary Professor, Professor Kristi L. Kiick, who passed away earlier this year.  Kristi was a Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware, USA. She was an internationally recognized leader in biomaterials research and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Over her 23-year career at Delaware, Kristi served in numerous leadership roles, including Deputy Dean of the College of Engineering and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, where she championed graduate education, research partnerships and inclusive academic communities. Her internationally recognized research focused on the synthesis, characterization, and application of protein, peptide, and self-assembled materials for applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and bioengineering.

In 2019, she was awarded a Fullbright Award and Leverhulme Visiting Professorship to spend time here in the UK at the 乐播传媒. Her visit was hosted by the School of Pharmacy (with Felicity Rose) and included collaborations with Alvaro Mata and Robert Owen (Pharmacy), Ricky Wildman and Geoff Rivers (Engineering), and Nick Hannan (Medicine). Together they worked on integrating the biopolymer materials, developed by Kristi, with research in additive manufacturing, biomaterials science and with stem cell biology to fabricate nanostructured materials with biological cues. The laboratory work was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic but relationships remained strong with Felicity and Ricky visiting Kristi in the US in 2022. Her appointment to Honorary Professor in 2019 (until 2025) within the School of Pharmacy sought to deepen the links between our two institutions with a focus on further developing our research collaborations, including with the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals based at Delaware, and through alignment of our undergraduate teaching programmes. 

Kristi retired in 2023 with emeritus status, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of research excellence, mentorship, innovation, and service.  In the spring of 2024, the University of Delaware Board of Trustees awarded her a Medal of Distinction, one of the University’s highest honours, for her service and leadership.

Kristi’s passion for research was always evident with her enthusiasm for collaboration making it easy to develop new ideas together. Always inquisitive, she inspired students and colleagues with her curiosity and dedication to science. She was an excellent mentor and role model especially for women in science and engineering. Working with Kristi was always a great pleasure and she has made a lasting impact on our School. She will be remembered not only for her professional achievements, but also for her kindness, friendship, and humour; she is greatly missed by all who knew and worked with her.

Links

 In Memoriam – University of Delaware

 Press Release about Leverhulme Visiting Professorship-US Fullbright Scholar Award