Kimia is a transdisciplinary bioengineer with a background in science (BSc in Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Glasgow), engineering (PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow), and art (BA in Fine Art, Glasgow School of Art). They are a Lecturer and Chancellor’s Fellow in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, affiliated with the School of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow.
Their research interests are directed towards understanding how cells, both individually and collectively, perceive and respond to their spatially defined microenvironments. They exploit this knowledge to enhance the cell-material interface in blood-brain-barrier organoid engineering, using microfluidics technology. They are also interested in the mechanosensitivity of cells within connective tissues to understand their systemic impact on neurodiversity, particularly autism in individuals with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). As both an artist and a scientist, they use artistic expression to communicate their scientific work, exemplified by their short animation “Bendy Body to Bendy Brain” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb6i4cAabko)
Kimia Witte
