Princeton Bioethics Exchange with Bridgett vonHoldt: De-Extinction & the Ethics of Species Restoration

Penelope Georges

Assistant Director, STEM Education

Princeton University, Council on Science and Technology

Penelope holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University. Her research interests include the study of cell mechanics and how the relationship with the mechanical environment can drive cell structure and function. Past work includes the study of cells interacting with soft materials - both synthetic and naturally-derived polymers - showing that tissue-specific cells have a unique response to substrate stiffness that closely matches that of the host tissue.  Her research also involves the use of rheological measurements to study the viscoelastic properties of tissue in both healthy and pathophysiological conditions. These studies aim to contribute to the development of biocompatible materials for the fabrication of medical devices, and to improve tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.