Katie Hixon

Overview

Professor Hixon's research focuses on tissue engineering/regenerative medicine strategies to improve treatment and facilitate healing in patients with congenital and traumatic craniofacial anomalies, as well as those with delayed or failed musculoskeletal healing. Prior to joining the Dartmouth faculty, Hixon earned a PhD in biomedical engineering at Saint Louis University. Her research broadly included tissue engineering scaffold fabrication for the treatment of critical-size defects and craniofacial/maxillofacial congenital conditions. Following this, she completed a postdoctoral position in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Here she was awarded the NIH F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award to study bone healing following fracture and develop a clinically relevant animal model to test therapeutic interventions. Hixon's work will continue to contribute cutting-edge research utilizing orthopaedic and craniofacial models to drive the development of novel tissue engineering/regenerative medicine therapies, impacting dental, oral, craniofacial, and musculoskeletal health.

Research Interests

Tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; biomaterials and scaffolds; craniofacial reconstruction; orthopaedics; critical-size defects; fracture healing

Education

• BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa 2014
• PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Saint Louis University 2018

Awards

• Thayer Community Impact Award, 2025
• F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA), 2019–2021
• Rising Star in Engineering in Health (Columbia University), 2020
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) St. Louis Service Award, 2018
• Graduate Dissertation Fellow (Saint Louis University), 2017–2018
• Brennan Summer Fellow (Saint Louis University), 2017
• Outstanding Graduate Student Award (Saint Louis University), 2016

Professional Activities

• Chair, Education Initiatives Committee, International Section of Fracture Repair (ISFR), ORS (2022–present)
• Special Issue Guest Editor, Open Access Journal Gels ("Cryogel Scaffolds") (2022)
• Member, Education Initiatives Committee, International Section of Fracture Repair (ISFR), ORS (2019–present)
• Member, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
• Member, Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
• Member, Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)
• Member, Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Research Projects

• Pigmented bilayered skin substitutes for full-thickness wound repair

  Pigmented bilayered skin substitutes for full-thickness wound repair

  Full-thickness skin defects present significant reconstructive challenges, particularly for patients with diverse skin tones where current substitutes fail to replicate the complexity of native tissue architecture and pigmentation. This project develops bilayered skin substitutes that recapitulate both the dermal and epidermal compartments, incorporating melanocytes to restore pigmentation in addition to structural and barrier function. Using electrospun silk fibroin scaffolds to support cellular organization and differentiation, this work aims to advance skin tissue engineering toward more inclusive, physiologically representative replacements for patients requiring reconstructive care.

  ×
• Flexible bioelectronics integrated with tissue-engineered scaffolds

  Flexible bioelectronics integrated with tissue-engineered scaffolds

  Monitoring and modulating tissue regeneration in real time requires sensing capabilities that can operate within the complex, dynamic environment of healing tissue. This project integrates flexible bioelectronic devices with engineered biomaterial scaffolds to enable in situ recording and stimulation at the tissue-scaffold interface. By combining the structural and biological cues of three-dimensional scaffold architectures with the signal acquisition capabilities of electrocorticography (ECoG)-inspired electrode arrays, this work aims to establish a platform for closed-loop feedback during tissue repair, with applications in bone and soft tissue regeneration.

  Faculty: Alex Boys

  ×
• MXene-integrated cryogel scaffolds for bone tumor sites

  MXene-integrated cryogel scaffolds for bone tumor sites

  MXene nanomaterials offer unique electrical and photothermal properties that can be harnessed within three-dimensional scaffold architectures to address the dual challenge of bone regeneration and residual tumor treatment. This project develops MXene-integrated cryogel scaffolds with tunable conductivity and biocompatibility, designed to support cellular infiltration and osteogenesis while enabling localized delivery of tumor-targeting therapies such as tumor treating fields (TTFields). By engineering scaffolds that bridge bone repair and cancer treatment within a single platform, this work advances reconstructive strategies for patients requiring both skeletal reconstruction and local tumor control.

  Faculty: Will Scheideler

  ×
• Modulating bone scaffold conductivity for localized therapies

  Modulating bone scaffold conductivity for localized therapies

  Tissue-engineered bone scaffolds can mimic the porous architecture of trabecular bone while providing structural support for cellular infiltration and bone regeneration. We are developing biocompatible, tunable scaffolds as alternatives to current bone grafting methods. By modulating scaffold conductivity, this project aims to harness electric fields to enhance bone healing and improve the localized delivery of cancer therapies.

  ×
• Bone regeneration following cancer treatment

  Bone regeneration following cancer treatment

  Bone defects resulting from tumor resection and radiation therapy present unique challenges due to impaired healing and compromised tissue quality. This project develops and evaluates engineered biomaterial scaffolds designed to promote bone regeneration following cancer treatment. By investigating how ionizing radiation affects scaffold chemistry, architecture, and regenerative performance, this work aims to optimize biomaterial strategies that support functional bone healing in both in vitro and in vivo models, ultimately improving reconstructive options for patients with cancer-related skeletal defects.

  ×
• Silk-based scaffolds for the bone-tendon interface

  Silk-based scaffolds for the bone-tendon interface

  Musculoskeletal injuries affect 32 million people in the United States each year, and soft to hard tissue interfaces, such as bone to tendon or ligament, are affected in 45% of musculoskeletal injuries. Self repair is inefficient and does not lead to appropriate healing. Tissue engineering seeks to address shortcomings in natural tissue repair, replacement, and regeneration in those experiencing tissue damage caused by disease, defects, and trauma. By combining biomaterial scaffolds, cells, and bioactive additives, tissue can be grown outside of the body and implanted into the patient. Silk is an FDA-approved, natural polymer that is compatible with a variety of tissue fabrication methods, including cryogelation and electrospinning. In this project, silk cryogels and electrospun mats are combined to develop a single unit scaffold that better mimics interface tissue characteristics and adequately represent tissue regeneration in a complex environment.

  ×
• Scaffold design optimization for bone tissue engineering

  Scaffold design optimization for bone tissue engineering

  Designing scaffolds for bone regeneration requires balancing mechanical performance, dimensional accuracy, and biological compatibility across a wide range of design variables. This project develops a computational and experimental pipeline to screen candidate geometries, optimize ceramic 3D printing parameters, and rank composite ceramic-cryogel scaffolds using a multi-criteria decision framework, culminating in a patient-adaptable construct for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction.

  ×
• Vascularized bone tissue engineering

  Vascularized bone tissue engineering

  Bone defects resulting from trauma, tumor resection, or infection require scaffolds that can support both new bone formation and vascular ingrowth. This project develops a composite β-TCP/cryogel scaffold that combines the osteoinductive properties of a ceramic lattice with the cell-supportive environment of a cryogel to promote coordinated osteogenic and endothelial cell behavior. The scaffold architecture can be geometrically adapted to patient-specific craniomaxillofacial defects, offering a potential alternative to autologous bone grafting.

  ×
• Muco-penetrative nanoparticle platform for tobramycin drug delivery in cystic fibrosis lung infection

  Muco-penetrative nanoparticle platform for tobramycin drug delivery in cystic fibrosis lung infection

  Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to inflammation, airway obstruction, chronic lung infections. The most common pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), specifically contribute to lung inflammation and impaired immune response. In healthy lungs, chloride ions hydrate mucus; however, in CF, CFTR mutations impair chloride transport, leading to dehydrated, highly viscous mucus. A major challenge to delivering antibiotics is mucus viscosity which hinders diffusion, making it difficult for drugs to reach all infection areas. Tobramycin (TOB) is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat P. aeruginosa through long-term inhalable CF therapy. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol that acts as a diuretic and has been proven to facilitate the hydration of mucus, thereby increasing mucociliary clearance. We hypothesize that sodium alginate nanoparticles that i) contain TOB and ii) are coated in mannitol will enable tailorable, localized drug delivery to decrease mucus viscosity, increase mucociliary clearance, and improve drug diffusion to mitigate lung infection in CF patients.

  ×
• Biofunctionalizing electrospun fibers for dermal adhesion

  Biofunctionalizing electrospun fibers for dermal adhesion

  The aim of the project is to improve the cellular performance on electrospun scaffolds through the incorporation of natural polymers, proteins, and peptides. This work has focused specifically on keratin, RGD peptide, and laminin protein incorporation in synthetic and synthetic-natural blend electrospun fibers. Methods examined include bulk solution as well as chemical conjugation and absorption for surface coating.

  ×
• Tissue-engineered constructs for transcutaneous implant support

  Tissue-engineered constructs for transcutaneous implant support

  The aim of the project is to develop a tissue-engineered construct to support both long-term dermal adhesion and infiltration around transcutaneous prosthetics. The work involves the engineering and characterization of biomaterials as well as optimization of the construct for cellular and immune acceptance. Secondary aims of the project are focused on integrating structural components into the design for soft tissue support and patient-specific geometries. Techniques used include electrospinning to create interfacial meshes and combination with secondary materials such as 3D macroporous cryogels and 3D-printing for mechanical support.

  ×
• Senescence markers in radiation-treated vs. aged mouse tissues

  Senescence markers in radiation-treated vs. aged mouse tissues

  Radiation exposure is known to induce a senescence phenotype in various tissues. Our group is currently investigating whether this radiation-induced phenotype mirrors the senescence observed in naturally aged tissues, using a mouse model. Specifically, we are comparing senescence markers in the liver, kidney, and spleen of mice that received localized radiation treatment for a femur defect to those of age-matched and aged control mice.

  ×
• The effects of hyperbaric oxygen on Achilles tendon healing

  The effects of hyperbaric oxygen on Achilles tendon healing

  Tendon injuries represent a significant and growing clinical burden, particularly in aging populations where impaired healing capacity and limited therapeutic options remain a critical unmet need. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a promising regenerative intervention, with early results suggesting it modulates the wound healing cascade by reducing the duration of the inflammatory phase and promoting collagen deposition during the proliferative stage. While further pre-clinical investigation with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is warranted, HBOT's established safety profile and wide clinical availability position it as a readily translatable adjunct strategy for tendon repair in aging populations.

  Collaborative Faculty: Douglas Van Citters, Jay Buckey Jr., Frances Faro

  ×
• Targeting radiation-induced cellular senescence with fisetin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles

  Targeting radiation-induced cellular senescence with fisetin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles

  Head and neck cancer (HNC) radiotherapy can result in long-term complications such as osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Evidence suggests that radiation-induced cellular senescence plays a central role in the development of ORN, as senescent cells accumulate within damaged tissues and secrete pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors that disrupt bone remodeling, reduce vascularity, and impair tissue regeneration. We investigate using fisetin (FIS), a naturally-occurring flavonoid with senolytic and anti-inflammatory properties, encapsulated within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to improve its low bioavailability and rapid systemic clearance. Fisetin has been shown to selectively eliminate senescent cells by inhibiting senescent cell anti-apoptotic pathways while simultaneously suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and mTOR that regulate SASP production. By incorporating fisetin into biodegradable PLGA nanocarriers capable of controlled and sustained drug release, the engineered FIS-PLGA nanoparticles are designed to improve intracellular uptake, reduce senescent cell burden, attenuate chronic inflammation, and restore bone tissue homeostasis following radiation exposure.

  ×

Selected Publications

• Olevsky LM, Anup A, Jacques M, Keokominh N, Holmgren EP, Hixon KR. Direct Integration of 3D Printing and Cryogel Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering. Bioengineering. (2023) 10(8):889.
   
• Robertson EM, Hixon KR, McBride-Gagyi SH, Sell SA. Bioactive impact of manuka honey and bone char incorporated into gelatin and chitosan cryogels in a rat calvarial fracture model. J Biomed Mater Res. (2023) 111(10): 1763–1774.
• Vesvoranan O, Anup A, Hixon KR. Current Concepts and Methods in Tissue Interface Scaffold Fabrication. Biomimetics. (2022) 7(4):151.
• McKenzie JA, Galbreath IM, Coello AF, Hixon KR, Silva MJ. VEGFA from osteoblasts is not required for lamellar bone formation following tibial loading. Bone. (2022) 163: 116502.
• Hixon KR, and Miller AN. Animal Models of Impaired Long Bone Healing and Tissue Engineering‐ and Cell‐based in Vivo Interventions. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 40.4 (2022): 767–778.
• Hixon KR, et al. Ablation of Proliferating Osteoblast Lineage Cells After Fracture Leads to Atrophic Nonunion in a Mouse Model. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : JBMR. 36.11 (2021): 2243–2257.
• Hixon KR, Bogner SJ*, Ronning-Arnesen G*, Janowiak Mulligan BE, Sell SA. Investigating Manuka Honey Antibacterial Properties When Incorporated into Cryogel, Hydrogel, and Electrospun Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. Gels: Cryogelation and Cryogels (2019) 5(2): 21. Invited Contribution. PMID: 31003516. (* indicates authors contributed equally)
• Hixon KR, Lu T, Carletta MN, McBride‐Gagyi SH, Janowiak BE, Sell SA. A preliminary in vitro evaluation of the bioactive potential of cryogel scaffolds incorporated with Manuka honey for the treatment of chronic bone infections. J Biomed Mater Res Part B (2018) 106B:1918–1933. PMID: 28960886
• Alarcon De La Lastra A, Hixon KR, Aryan LM, Banks AN, Hall AF, Sell SA. Dissolvable 3D-Printed Molds for Patient Specific Craniofacial Bone Regeneration. J Funct Biomater (2018) 9(3): 46. PMID: 30042357
• Haas G, Dunn A, Marcinczyk M, Talovic M, Schwartz M, Scheidt R, Patel A, Hixon KR, Elmashhady H, McBride-Gagyi SH, Sell SA, Garg K. Biomimetic Sponges for regeneration of skeletal muscle following trauma. J Biomed Mater Res A (2018) 107(1): 92–103. PMID: 30394640
• Hixon KR, Melvin A, Lin AY, Hall AF, Sell SA. Cryogel Scaffolds from Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Molds for Personalized Tissue Engineered Bone Regeneration in Pediatric Cleft-Craniofacial Defects. J Biomater Appl (2017) 32(5):598–611. PMID: 28980856
• Hixon KR, Lu T, McBride-Gagyi SH, Janowiak BE, Sell SA. A Comparison of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Incorporated with Manuka Honey of Varying UMF. Biomed Res Int (2017). PMID: 28326322

Books

"Electrospun biomaterials for dermal regeneration" in Electrospun Materials for Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Applications

Woodhead Publishing (Elsevier) , 2017

"Scaffolds for cleft lip and cleft palate reconstruction" in the Handbook of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: Volume One

Woodhead Publishing (Elsevier) , 2019

"Artificial scaffolds for use in craniofacial bone regeneration" in Methods in Molecular Biology: Craniofacial Development

Springer , 2022

News

A Standout Year for Dartmouth NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
May 12, 2026

Study Reports Neural Implant That Regrows Surrounding Skull
Feb 05, 2026

Four Students Awarded 2025–26 Mazilu Engineering Research Fellowship
Oct 23, 2025

Dartmouth Engineering Student Team Is Collegiate Inventors Competition Finalist
Sep 25, 2025

Dartmouth Engineering Team Receives $2.5M NIH Grant for Scaffold Innovations that Accelerate Bone Repair
Sep 09, 2025

Engineering Students Awarded Goldwater Fellowships
May 02, 2025

Connecting Needs with Solutions: A student chooses entrepreneurship to improve women's health
Oct 24, 2024

Tissue Engineers Work to Improve Quality of Life for Cancer Patients
Sep 11, 2024

Karina Mitchell '23 Reflects on Leadership, Military Service, and Tissue Engineering
Apr 03, 2023

Four Engineering Research Projects Win Support from The Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Cancer
Jan 24, 2023

Meet Dartmouth's Newest Faculty Members
Mar 29, 2022