David Kilian
Dr. David Kilian is an Assistant Professor leading a group on Biofabrication and Biomaterials in Cellular Agriculture at the Complex Tissue Regeneration Department of MERLN. After his training in Applied Life Sciences (BSc) and Regenerative Biology and Medicine (MSc), David completed his PhD at the Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research at the School of Medicine in Dresden, Germany. During his PhD he developed bioprinting techniques for patient-specific osteochondral tissue regeneration. He graduated with a summa cum laude in 2022.
Before joining MERLN in 2025, David did postdoctoral work mentored by Prof. Sarah Heilshorn at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, California. His research focused on diffusion-based 3D bioprinting strategies to develop perfusable cardiovascular networks, multi-cellular 3D cancer models and bovine muscle fibers for cultivated meat application.
At MERLN, he is working towards building an interdisciplinary, diverse and welcoming research environment for his team to develop novel biomaterials designs and versatile biofabrication techniques for cultivated meat and beyond.
