Professor at George Mason University, United States
Dr. Caroline D. Hoemann is a Full Professor of Bioengineering at George Mason University, renowned for her groundbreaking work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. With a career spanning over three decades, she has made significant contributions to cartilage repair, biomaterials, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Dr. Hoemann co-invented BST-CarGel®, a chitosan-based biomaterial for cartilage repair, which has been successfully translated to clinical use. She is also a co-founder of ChitogenX, a biotech company focused on innovative medical solutions. Her research explores the intersection of inflammation, tissue regeneration, and advanced imaging techniques. Recognized globally, she has received numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Cartilage Repair Society. Dr. Hoemann’s work bridges academia and industry, fostering collaborations that drive innovation in biomedical engineering.
Professional Profile
Google Scholar
Education 🎓
Dr. Hoemann holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego (1983), an M.Sc. in Applied Biology from MIT (1987), and a Ph.D. in Toxicology from MIT (1992). She completed postdoctoral training in Molecular Cell Biology at INSERM U309, Grenoble, France (1993), and the Friedrich-Miescher Institute, Basel, Switzerland (1994). Her academic foundation in chemistry, biology, and toxicology, combined with advanced training in molecular cell biology, has equipped her with a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical research.
Experience 💼
Dr. Hoemann has held prestigious positions, including Full Professor at George Mason University (2017–present) and École Polytechnique de Montréal (2013–2018). She served as Research Director at BioSyntech Ltd. (1998–2002) and Senior Scientist at IRCM, Montreal (1995–1997). She co-founded ChitogenX and has been a scientific advisor to multiple biotech firms. Her expertise spans biomaterials, cartilage repair, and chronic inflammation. Dr. Hoemann has also contributed to grant review panels for NIH and CIHR, and she mentors the next generation of scientists through her editorial roles and advisory board memberships.
Awards and Honors 🏆
Dr. Hoemann’s accolades include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Cartilage Repair Society (2023) and recognition as one of the world’s top 2% scientists in Orthopaedics/Biomedical Engineering by Stanford University (2020). She has received multiple FRQ-S Career Awards and served on NIH and CIHR grant review panels. Her editorial contributions to journals like Osteoarthritis & Cartilage Open and Cartilage highlight her leadership in the field. Dr. Hoemann’s patents, including the chitosan-based cartilage repair technology, have been widely cited, underscoring her impact on translational research.
Research Focus 🔬
Dr. Hoemann’s research focuses on understanding and harnessing inflammatory responses to promote tissue regeneration. Her work spans cartilage repair, biomaterials, and chronic inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis. She pioneered chitosan-based biomaterials, such as BST-CarGel®, for cartilage repair, now used clinically. Her lab investigates how chronic inflammation leads to disease progression and explores advanced imaging techniques, like high-frequency ultrasound, to detect tissue remodeling. Collaborations with statisticians, clinicians, and engineers have led to discoveries in neutrophil behavior and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Dr. Hoemann’s research bridges fundamental science and clinical applications, aiming to develop innovative therapies for tissue repair and chronic disease management.
Publication Top Notes 📚
- Charan A, Chitnis PV, Hoemann CD. Optimization of High-Frequency Ultrasound imaging to detect incremental changes in mineral content at the cartilage-bone interface ex vivo. Biomimetics (MDPI), in press.
- Leonard J, Kepplinger D, Espina V, Gillevet P, Ke Y; Birukov KG, Doctor A, Hoemann CD. Whole blood coagulation induces clot neutrophils to adopt a myeloid-derived suppressor cell signature and shed sLox-1. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2024: 22(4):1031-1045.
- Hoemann, C.D. Rodriguez Gonzáles J, Guzmán-Morales J, Chen G, Jalili Dil E, Favis B. Chitosan coatings with distinct innate immune bioactivities differentially stimulate angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and chondrogenesis in poly-caprolactone scaffolds with controlled interconnecting pore size. Bioactive Materials, 2022;10:430-442.
- Fong D, Grégoire-Gélinas P, Cheng AP, Mezheritsky T, Lavertu M, Sato S and Hoemann CD. Structurally distinct chitosans induce lysosomal rupture to promote either a type 1 IFN response or activate the inflammasome in macrophages. Biomaterials, 2017:129:127-38.
Conclusion 🌟
Dr. Caroline D. Hoemann is a trailblazer in bioengineering, whose work has transformed cartilage repair and advanced our understanding of inflammation in tissue regeneration. Her innovative chitosan-based biomaterials, impactful research, and leadership in the scientific community have earned her global recognition. Through her dedication to translational research and mentorship, she continues to inspire and shape the future of biomedical engineering.