Dr. Rebecca Taylor

Associate Professor

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Biography

Rebecca E. Taylor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on DNA nanotechnology, molecular and cellular mechanobiology, bio-inspired micro-nanosystems, and advanced manufacturing. Her group utilized structural nucleic acid nanotechnology to create nanoscale biosensors and actuators for interfacing condensed matter with molecular and cellular biosystems. She explores heart contractile function derived from molecular-level to tissue-level structures, enabling the creation of dynamic, engineered systems across multiple scales. In her teaching, she centers on the fundamentals of mechanical design and advanced topics in large-volume manufacturing, as well as emerging design validation methodologies in structural DNA nanotechnology. Taylor’s work requires interdisciplinary collaboration with chemists, biomedical engineers, and researchers in physics and developmental biology, particularly in cardiovascular medicine. Her notable contributions include investigations into DNA nanostructures for drug delivery and gene therapy, as well as the development of bio-inspired materials and nanotechnology solutions that exhibit unique properties. She has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to engineering education and research in the field.

Research Interests

Awards

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NSF CAREER

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AFOSR YIP

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Donald L. Rhonda Struminger Faculty Fellow

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.