Dr. Stefanie Sydlik

Associate Professor

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Biography

Prof. Sydlik received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the direction of Professor Timothy Swager, studying novel triptycene and nanocarbon-based materials. She continued her training as a postdoctoral fellow at MIT with Professor Robert Langer, developing novel biomimetic block copolymer cartilage repair while establishing biocompatibility with graphene oxide. She joined the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University in August 2015 and has a courtesy appointment as Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on polymers, graphene oxide, degradability, cell-instructive materials, biomaterials, sustainability, and heavy metal remediation. The overarching goal of the Sydlik group is to develop chemical methods and materials to improve human health. Research projects emphasize the structure-function relationships of materials at the intersection of chemistry and engineering. The group employs principles of chemical reactions for the rational design and synthesis of smart biomaterials, leveraging organic chemistry to instruct stem cell fate within scaffolds.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2022-01-01 — Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Holding the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, leading research and teaching.

Assistant Professor

2015-01-01 — 2022-01-01

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, focusing on various research projects and course development.

Postdoctoral Fellow

2013-01-01 — 2015-01-01

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Worked under Professor Robert Langer, focusing on biomimetic materials and their applications.

Awards

#2024

Humboldt Research Fellowship

2024-01-01
#2022

Moore Inventor Fellow

2022-01-01
#2020

World Economic Forum Young Scientist

2020-01-01
#2018

ACS PMSE Young Investigator Award

2018-01-01
#

National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship

2014-01-01
#2013

Excellence Graduate Polymer Research

2013-01-01
#

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

2008-01-01
#2008

Outstanding Teaching Award

2008-01-01
#2007

Judith Resnik Award

2007-01-01

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.