Rosalyn Abbott
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Courtesy Appointment, Materials Science and Engineering
Rosalyn Abbott is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. In Abbott’s lab, human adipose microenvironments are being developed and tested for responsiveness to stimuli hypothesized to alter disease mechanisms (i.e. the transition of obese tissues to insulin resistant type II diabetic tissues), metabolic behavior, and therapeutic potential. The lab focuses on integrating systems-based modeling with tissue engineering, perfusion bioreactors, and mechanical studies. Specifically, silk is used as a natural biomaterial to support long term culture of adipose micro-environments in vitro. The ultimate goal is to use these adipose tissue systems to inform preventative and therapeutic measures for patients affected by the metabolic syndrome.
Abbott received her Ph.D. from the University of Vermont, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Tufts University.
Cellular Agriculture for Sustainable Meat Production
Understanding Disease by Modeling Human Tissue
Education
2012 Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Vermont
2008 MS, Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2008 BS, Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Affiliations
Media mentions
CMU faculty to present at SXSW
MechE’s Jon Cagan and Chris McComb, BME’s Keith Cook and Rosalyn Abbott, and BME/MSE’s Adam Feinberg are leading sessions at SXSW 2025 that will focus on the application of AI in education and organ transplant technology.
CMU Engineering
Carnegie Mellon lands ARPA-H award for implantable bioelectric medicine project
A CMU-led project team secured an award of up to $42M from ARPA-H to accelerate the development of implantable bioelectronic devices that deliver patient-specific therapy and monitor disease status.
Eating Well
Abbott discusses pros, cons of lab-grown meat
As interest rises in meat alternatives, BME's Rosalyn Abbott was tapped to discuss the safety, sustainability, and innate challenges associated with the trend.
Healthcare Degree
Abbott mentioned in biomedical engineering career piece
BME’s Rosalyn Abbott was consulted as a subject matter expert for Healthcare Degree's spotlight on careers in biomedical engineering.