Overview
Dr. Lauren Priddy received her undergraduate degree in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University and stayed at MSU to complete her master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with Dr. Jun Liao , investigating ultrastructural damage of the carotid artery during biomechanical loading. She then earned her Ph.D. in BioEngineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology with Dr. Robert Guldberg , studying biomaterial strategies to modulate growth factor delivery for improved bone healing.
As a Mississippi native and a Bulldog her whole life, Dr. Priddy is passionate about all things MSU. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, running, cooking, and watching MSU sports.
After graduation, she gained industry experience working in research and development of amniotic tissue products at MiMedx in Marietta, Georgia. In 2016, she returned to MSU as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering, where she is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of biomedical engineers in her home state of Mississippi.
I am excited not only about developing technologies that enhance healthcare but also about inspiring the next generation of bioengineers.
From Dr. Priddy:
Research
"My research involves the the design of surface-functionalized, load-bearing polymeric and metallic biomaterials for improved bone healing, and hydrogel-based composite materials for enhanced delivery of antimicrobial therapeutics to treat bone infection. My lab evaluates biomaterial efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models of injury and disease. We have developed a clinically relevant, implant-based rat model of femoral and soft tissue infection which enables evaluation of biomaterials and antimicrobial therapeutics against a biofilm-forming strain of Staphylococcus aureus, which is the most common cause of osteomyelitis."
Teaching and Mentoring
"I am excited not only about developing technologies that enhance healthcare but also about inspiring the next generation of bioengineers. I strive to be an effective leader who creates and maintains a collaborative learning community in research and in the classroom. To bridge the gap between the concepts students learn and the applications of those concepts, I often incorporate relevant examples from my research or TED talks, and facilitate follow-up small-group and class discussions. With this, students have the opportunity to dig deeper into a topic and envision how they could apply their knowledge in a variety of career paths."
Outreach
"I am passionate about outreach, particularly to young women and students from other marginalized groups interested in careers in orthopaedics and engineering. In 2015, four fellow GT graduate students and I co-founded BioIgnite, Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit sparking interest in biomedical science, technology, engineering and mathematics (bioSTEM), with engaging curricula designed for middle school students. BioIgnite reached >500 students across 10 states, and trained >85 graduate and undergraduate student instructors. I've volunteered with other outreach organizations locally and regionally, including I AM GIRL and Project ENspire through MSU’s Bagley College of Engineering; Boys and Girls Clubs of Starkville and Columbus, Mississippi; and the orthopaedics-focused Perry Initiative Outreach Program. From 2019 to 2022, I served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of J. L. King, a local community center promoting youth development, leadership, and career training for low-income families."