Dr. Spencer Szczesny

Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Szczesny is an Assistant Professor at the Pennsylvania State University with a joint appointment in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation. He completed his postdoctoral training in 2017 as an NIH NRSA F32 Fellow and obtained a PhD in bioengineering in 2015 at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to his doctorate, Dr. Szczesny developed medical implants as a design engineer for Aesculap Implant Systems and as a research assistant at the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Technology in Aachen, Germany. He obtained a MS in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 and a BS in mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. Dr. Szczesny’s current research examines how cells in tendon sense the mechanics of their local microenvironment (e.g., strains, stiffness) and how their response drives changes in tissue mechanical properties during tendon degeneration, repair, and development, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, and other non-profit organizations. His contributions to the field of tendon biomechanics and mechanobiology have been recognized by a 2022 NSF CAREER Award, 2022 CMBE Rising Star Award, 2016 ORS New Investigator Recognition Award (NIRA) finalist, 2015 Acta Student Award, and two-time winner of the SB3C PhD competition. Dr. Szczesny is also committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within engineering. To that end, he serves as the Diversity Chair for the 2022 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference (SB3C). He is also a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee for the Orthopaedic Research Society and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Penn State. Finally, he is a co-chair of the Race and Marginalized Populations Workgroup for the State College Area School District.