Dr. Cheryl G.

Dr. Gomillion is a proud “Triple Tiger,” earning a BS in biosystems engineering with an emphasis on applied biotechnology and an MS and PhD in bioengineering at Clemson University. During her training, she received multiple competitive honors, including a Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) Predoctoral Traineeship Award, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholar Award, and an NSF Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention Award.

Following the completion of her PhD, Dr. Gomillion transitioned to the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) for a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Reconstructive Sciences, awarded as part of the UCHC School of Dental Medicine National Institutes of Health Institutional Training Grant for Skeletal, Craniofacial, and Oral Biology. Following the completion of her fellowship at UCHC, Dr. Gomillion transitioned to a postdoctoral associate position at Yale University School of Medicine in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Gomillion has a strong interest in applying her engineering training to address biomedical challenges. Her research interests are in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and her work integrates biomaterials, in vitro systems, engineering tools, and cell biology towards better understanding complex biological systems and developing innovative model platforms. The central focus of this work has been on soft and hard tissue systems, including adipose and mammary tissue and bone, respectively. Dr. Gomillion’s work aims to identify factors that influence cellular behavior that can be translated into improved diagnostics, therapeutic delivery approaches, and strategies for enhanced tissue regeneration. Her research has been published in numerous journals, including the Journal of Biological Engineering, Advanced Biology, ACS Applied Bio Materials, the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, Advanced Materials, Biomaterials, and others. 

In recognition of her dedication to undergraduate research mentorship, Dr. Gomillion was nominated for the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities Faculty Research Mentoring Award at the University of Georgia one year, and was named the recipient of this honor two years later. Her contributions to engineering and mentorship have been recognized through additional honors, including the UGA Engineering’s inaugural Woman Trailblazer Award, which recognizes women who have made significant contributions to engineering. She was also named an American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Emerging Leader, recognized for impactful contributions to the field of medical and biological engineering through research, service, and leadership.

Dr. Gomillion is committed to mentoring and expanding access to research experiences for students. She is an experienced mentor, having created a multidisciplinary and collaborative lab environment consisting of trainees from all levels from various disciplines, including engineering, biology, environmental health science, exercise and sport science, and other areas. Students Dr. Gomillion has coached have been accepted to the Medical College of Georgia, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Boston University, Texas A&M University, and other schools.