Stefanie Sydlik

Associate Professor Carnegie Mellon University

  • Pittsburgh PA

Stefanie Sydlik's research interests include polymer science, materials chemistry, biomaterials and sustainable materials.

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Carnegie Mellon University

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Biography

Stefanie Sydlik's research interests include polymer science, materials chemistry, biomaterials and sustainable materials. The Sydlik group synthesizes novel polymers and materials via the principles of molecular design. Drawing on her diverse background in materials, the Sydlik group is uniquely situated at the interface of chemistry, biomedical engineering and materials science. Some sample research areas from the group include: 1) transforming graphene oxide into a cell-instructive, biodegradable scaffold for bone regeneration; 2) creating sustainable, degradable composite materials with recycled plastics; and 3) addressing the public health crisis of lead by developing materials to limit and remediate exposure.

Areas of Expertise

Materials Chemistry
Polymer Science
Biomaterials
Graphene
Stem Cells
Electronic Materials
Tissue Regeneration
Cell-Instructive Material

Media Appearances

Stefanie Sydlik Named a 2022 Moore Inventor Fellow

Carnegie Mellon University  online

2022-10-04

"We take a natural biopolymer and create a chemical bond to a small chelator molecule which creates a large, biomimetic chelator," said Sydlik, a 2007 graduate of CMU's Mellon College of Science(opens in new window). "By doing so, we're able to disguise the toxicity of the chelators and allow the metal to be removed from the body more safely."

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Young scientists reshaping our world

Innovators Magazine  online

2020-05-26

Stefanie Sydlik (Carnegie Mellon University, USA, American): Sydlik designs new materials that stimulate the body’s healing response to enable the regeneration of natural bone as an alternative to metal implants currently used to heal bone injuries.

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Researchers investigate new biomaterial for orthopedics

The Tartan  online

2015-09-20

Stefanie A. Sydlik, a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, spoke last Tuesday as part of a seminar series hosted by the biomedical engineering department at Carnegie Mellon University. In front of a packed audience in a classroom in Doherty Hall, Sydlik discussed her extensive research in polymer science, materials chemistry, biomaterials, and electronic materials. During her presentation, she also introduced a biomaterial that may hold the key to creating new orthopedic materials, implants and devices that could help advance the field of orthopedics.

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Media

Social

Industry Expertise

Chemicals

Accomplishments

PMSE Young Investigators Award

2018

Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship

2014–2015

ACS Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research, MIT Chemistry Nominee

2013

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Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ph.D.

Organic Chemistry

2012

Carnegie Mellon University

B.S.

Chemistry and Polymer Science with a minor in Engineering Studies

2007

Articles

Environmental and health impacts of functional graphenic materials and their ultrasonically altered products

NanoImpact

2023

Graphenic materials have excited the scientific community due to their exciting mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties for a potential range of applications. Graphene and graphene derivatives have demonstrated application in areas stretching from composites to medicine; however, the environmental and health impacts of these materials have not been sufficiently characterized. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most widely used graphenic derivatives due to a relatively easy and scalable synthesis, and the ability to tailor the oxygen containing functional groups through further chemical modification. In this paper, ecological and health impacts of fresh and ultrasonically altered functional graphenic materials (FGMs) were investigated.

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Regeneratable Graphene-Based Water Filters for Heavy Metal Removal at Home

ACS ES&T Water

2023

At-home water filters for drinking water are used by over 100 million Americans. These filters are successful at removing heavy metals from drinking water; however, when heavy metals are present, filters can reach saturation quickly. This currently requires a full filter replacement; treating and regenerating (re-activating) the filter are not currently recommended by filter manufacturers. Here, we present a sustainable graphene-based water filter that can be regenerated by treatment with hot (80 °C) water or vinegar (mild acid). The filter has multiple desirable properties for heavy metal adsorption, including high surface area, conjugation, and oxygen-containing functional groups. This regeneratable filtration technology removes 3- to 65-fold more heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury) from tap water than activated charcoal. Further, the filter can undergo a simple regeneration treatment, allowing for up to 3 cycles of reuse before metal breakthrough occurs. Due to the decreased frequency of filter replacement compared to current technologies, this graphene-based water filter could seamlessly integrate into existing at-home water filtration technologies, providing a more sustainable filter option.

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Hyaluronic acid-based antibacterial hydrogels for use as wound dressings

ACS Applied Bio Materials

2022

Wound dressings have been shifting toward a more active role in the wound-healing process. Hydrated environments with additives to aid in the healing process are currently being explored through the application of hydrocolloid dressings. However, these moist healing environments are also ideal for bacterial growth, leading to the widespread use of antibiotics with concerns of antibiotic resistance and toxicity. To overcome this concern, we present a hydrogel wound dressing consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) cross-linked with gentamicin. This hydrogel treats bacterial infection locally, lowering the effective dose and reducing the concerns of antibiotic resistance and systemic exposure. Changing the cross-linking density, by using varied amounts of a cross-linker, created gels that provided a sustained release of gentamicin for up to 9 days with a range of adhesive and cohesive properties.

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