Dr. Kathryn Whitehead

Professor

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Biography

Kathryn Whitehead is a Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on drug delivery systems involving RNA and proteins, with specific applications aimed at improving maternal and infant health. Whitehead's lab is known for its innovative work in developing lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery, contributing significantly to the understanding of drug delivery mechanisms for various diseases, including potential treatments for pancreatic conditions. Over the years, she has received numerous accolades for her work, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and the DARPA Director’s Fellowship. She is recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and the Controlled Release Society. In 2021, Whitehead gave a TED Talk discussing the role of lipid nanoparticles in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. She actively engages in mentorship and collaborative research, helping to shape the next generation of chemical engineers.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor, Director of Graduate Studies

2007-01-01 — Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Leading graduate studies and conducting research in chemical engineering, focusing on innovative drug delivery systems.

Awards

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NIH Director's New Innovator Award

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DARPA Director's Fellowship

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ASEE Curtis W. McGraw Research Award

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Controlled Release Society's Young Investigator Award

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.