Mechanobiology Hub Seminar: Ovijit Chaudhuri, Stanford University

Join Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and the Mechanobiology Hub on Thursday November 19, 2026 for our fall external speaker seminar featuring Dr. Ovijit "Ovi" Chaudhuri, Ph.D., Professor of Mechanical Engineering and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering at Stanford University. The Chaudhuri Lab investigates how mechanical forces and properties influence cellular behavior and biological processes, including cell division, differentiation, and cancer progression. The lab combines advanced force measurement techniques with engineered 3D cell culture systems to understand the interplay between mechanics and biology.

Cell migration and morphogenesis in viscoelastic matrices

THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 19, 2026

4:00 PM

G10 BIOTECH

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex assembly of structural proteins that provides physical support and biochemical signaling to cells in tissues. Over the last two decades, studies have revealed the important role that ECM elasticity plays in regulating a variety of biological processes in cells, including stem cell differentiation and cancer progression. However, tissues and ECM are often viscoelastic, displaying stress relaxation over time in response to a deformation, and are viscoplastic, exhibiting irreversible deformations in response to mechanical stress. In this talk, Dr. Chaudhuri will discuss our recent findings on how matrix viscoelasticity regulates various biological processes, including collective invasion by cancer cells, morphogenesis of pluripotent stem cells, and T cell migration.

This seminar is supported through a Cornell Graduate School Cross-Field Collaborative Initiatives Award.

The Mechanobiology Hub at Cornell’s Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology brings together researchers across disciplines to explore how mechanical forces influence biological processes, from molecules and cells to tissues and organs. By fostering collaboration and advancing our understanding of how physical forces shape biological function, the aim is to to drive discoveries that could lead to new approaches for understanding and treating diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

Subscribe to the Mechanobiology Hub e-List:

To join our e-list:

Visit https://lists.cornell.edu/MECHANOBIOLOGYHUB-L/subscribe/ then proceed with the steps below.

Optionally enter your Full nameEnter you Email addressClick Subscribe. You will be sent an email asking you to confirm your subscriptionClick the link in the emailClick Confirm Request on the web pageMore information: Cornell E-Lists (Simplelists)

Need help finding mechanobiology resources or collaborators for your research?

Contact us at [email protected] and we will connect you!