Daniel Shiwarski, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Bioengineering & Medicine

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PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATORDr. Daniel Shiwarski, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
Schools of Engineering & Medicine
Vascular Medicine Institute

Short Bio

Dr. Shiwarski is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Bioengineering and the Vascular Medicine Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. He obtained a combined undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in cell biology and biochemistry, a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience from Carnegie Mellon University and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, and completed a Postdoctoral fellowship in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in cellular biomechanics and tissue engineering.

Dr. Shiwarski has a broad background in cell biology, cancer research, and tissue engineering – with specific expertise in G-protein coupled receptor trafficking, quantitative cellular biomechanics, physiology of bimolecular condensates, advanced fluorescence imaging, 3D bioprinting, and computational image analysis.
The Shiwarski Tissue Engineering Lab is interested in how high blood pressure alters the structure and function of small diameter blood vessels. By integrating advanced 3D bioprinting, regenerative medicine, and microfluidics we develop novel experimental platforms to investigate relationships between engineered 3D tissue structure, extracellular matrix composition, biomechanical forces, and altered receptor signaling that drives vascular tissue maturation and hypertensive disease pathology.
Additionally, the Shiwarski Lab prioritizes developing open-source scientific hardware and software for tissue engineering and cell biology to drive innovation and biomedical translation via reducing cost and improving device functionality.

PHONE NUMBER

+1 412-624-9051

EMAIL ADDRESS

[email protected]

Research by the Numbers

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

3.8k

# CITATIONS

ACHIEVEMENTSBiography

Education

2009
- B.S. in Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
2016
- Ph.D. in Biology & Neuroscience, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2023
- Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Scientific Areas of Focus

Experience: Cell Biology, Biomechanics, GPCRs, Intracellular Trafficking, Ion Channel, Cancer Metastasis, Molecular Condensates, Vascular Medicine, Tissue Engineering, Cardiac Stem Cells, 3D Printing, Open-source Hardware, Fluorescence Imaging, Biosensor Development, and Microfluidics

Positions and Appointments

2023 – Current

- Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering and Vascular Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

2017 – 2023

- Postdoctoral Researcher – Feinberg Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

2016 – 2017

- Postdoctoral Researcher – Puthenveedu Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

2011 – 2016

- Graduate Student – Puthenveedu Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

2009 – 2011

- Research Specialist III – Duvvuri Lab, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Family Tree

Training in Science requires many years of mentorship across diverse fields of study, leading a researcher towards a unique career defined by their combined prior experiences and expertise. For me, the path was not always straight, but my academic journey was guided by truly amazing mentors. Below is a brief summary of my mentors along the way. A more complete academic family tree highlights my training lineage.

2008: Dr. Jennifer Grandis’s lab studying EGFR in Head and Neck cancer
2009-2011: Dr. Uma Duvvuri’s lab studying TMEM16A role in oncogenesis and metastasis
2011-2016: Dr. Manoj Puthenveedu’s lab studying delta-Opioid Receptor trafficking in pain
2016-2023: Dr. Adam Feinberg’s lab FRESH 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering approaches

Academic Family Tree

11 Nobel Laureates

4 Chemistry

7 Physio & Med

Nobel Lineage:

Harold C. Urey – Chemistry 1934 – Nuclear Physics
Carl Cori – Physiology or Medicine 1947 – Glycogen
Gerty Cori – Physiology or Medicine 1947 – Glycogen
Hugo Theorell – Physiology or Medicine 1955 – Oxidation Enzymes
Vincent du Vigneaud – Chemistry 1955 – Oxytocin
Arthur Kornberg – Physiology or Medicine 1959 – RNA/DNA Synthesis
George E. Palade – Physiology or Medicine 1974 – Ribosomes
Albert Claude – Physiology or Medicine 1974 – Cellular Components EM
Robert J. Lefkowitz – Chemistry 2012 – GPCRs
Brian K Kobilka – Chemistry 2012 – GPCRs
James E Rothman – Physiology or Medicine 2013 – Vesicle Trafficking

Achievements

2021 – 2026 NIH K99/R00 Career Development Award, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
2018 – 2020 NRSA F32 NHLBI Postdoctoral Fellowship , National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
2018 – 2020 American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship , American Heart Association
2018 – 2019 eLife Ambassador for Early Career Advisory Group, eLife
2016 – 2017 Chair of the Gordon Research Seminar, Molecular Pharmacology
2015 – 2016 de Vries Fellowship Awardee, Carnegie Mellon University
2023 Biofabrication Outstanding Reviewer Recognition, Biofabrication Journal
2019 Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Award, Biomedical Engineering Department, CMU
2018 Poster Award 3D Strain Biosensor, Society for Biomaterials
2014 Poster Award in GPCR Research, Great Lakes GPCR Conference
2013 Poster Award in GPCR Research, Great Lakes GPCR Conference
2012 Travel Award, Carnegie Mellon University
2012 Poster Award in Neuroscience , Center for Neural Basis of Cognition
2010 Director’s Award for Scientific Excellence, Univ. of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
2010 Poster Award for Translational Cancer Research, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Memberships and Affiliations

- American Association for Cancer Research
  - Member ID:257014 – 2011 – 2013
- Society for Neuroscience
  - Member ID:226700 – 2012 – 2016
- American Society for Cell Biology
  - Member ID:91859 – 2013 – current
- American Heart Association
  - Member ID:234494603 – 2017 – current
- Society for Biomaterials
  - Member ID:1205372 – 2018 – current
- Biomedical Engineering Society
  - Member ID:4012807 2018 – current

Personal Life

I am blessed to have a beautiful and supportive family, and a wonderful group of friends. We are a team both on and off the field. Special thanks to my wife Cary, daughters Piper and Marley, parents, sibling, cousins.