Professional Summary
Dr. C. LaShan Simpson Hendrix is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Before joining the faculty at University of Cincinnati in 2024, she was an Associate Professor at Mississippi State University (2013 – 2023) and she trained as a postdoctoral research associate at Rice University in the Department of Bioengineering. Dr. Hendrix received all her educational training at Clemson University with a B.S. in Biochemistry, M.S., and Ph.D. in Bioengineering. Dr. Hendrix’s research interests include vascular calcification, smooth muscle cells, cell and gene therapy, and mechanotransduction. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In addition to her passion for vascular research, Dr. Hendrix is a student advocate and a champion for diversity and inclusion. She has worked to create inclusive spaces for trainee development and success. She has received numerous awards for her efforts including Teacher of the Year, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University, 2018; Academy of Distinguished Teachers, Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University, 2019; and Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, Mississippi Institute of Higher Learning, 2020.
Her pride and joy are the diversity of her research lab and the outstanding accomplishments of her trainees. Dr. Hendrix is the founder of BlackWomenInBME and has hosted sessions for her group at the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual meeting since 2018. She is the recipient of the 2021 Biomedical Engineering Society Diversity Award Lecture.
Education
B.S.: Clemson University Clemson, SC, 2003 (Biochemistry)
M.S.: Clemson University Clemson, SC, 2009 (Bioengineering)
Ph.D.: Clemson University Clemson, SC, 2010 (Bioengineering)
Positions and Work Experience
2013 -2019 Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
2019 -2023 Associate Professor, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
2019 -2022 Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives, Shackouls Honors College, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Research Support
Investigators:C. LaShan Simpson Hendrix 2022 National Science Foundation (NSF) BRITE Relaunch: Examining the Role of Mechanotransduction in Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Modulation Role:PI
Investigators:C. LaShan Simpson, Kasia Gallo, Cheryl Gomillion, Aileen Huang-Saad 2020 -2021 Mississippi State University Office of Research and Economic Development Impact of COVID-19 and the Digital Divide on the Sense of Belonging for Undergraduate Engineering Students Role:PI
Investigators:C. LaShan Simpson 2019 -2021 National Institutes of Health (NIH) subcontract PRIDE-FTG Examining the Signaling Pathway Associated with Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification Role:PI
Investigators:Leslie Burger, Ashli Brown-Johnson, Laura Greenhaw, Carolyn Kobia, C. LaShan Simpson 2018 -2021 USDA NIFA Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fields Grant Program Engaging Women and Minorities in Agriculture-Related Stem Disciplines through Mentoring, Leadership Development, and Experiential Learning Role:Co-PI
Investigators:Vemitra White and C. LaShan Simpson 2018 -2019 Mississippi Department of Education SOAR Role:Co-PI
Investigators:Linda Coats, Melody Fisher, Pamela Scott-Bracey, C. LaShan Simpson 2016 -2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Preparing Black Female Faculty for Prominence, Power, and Presence in the Academy Role:Co-PI
Grant: #CMMI-2135589 Investigators:Hendrix, LaShan 12-20-2023 -12-31-2024 National Science Foundation BRITE Relaunch: Examining the Role of Mechanotransduction in Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Modulation Role:PI 250661.00 Hold Level:Federal
Honors and Awards
-2022 L.C. Dorsey Research Honor Society, Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC-GTEC)
-2021 Diversity Award Lecture, Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
-2021 Honors Council Teaching Award, Shackouls Honors College, Mississippi State University
-2021 LEAD21, Leadership Development for the 21st Century: Linking Research, Academics, and Extension
-2019 Academy of Distinguished Teachers, Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University
-2019 Faculty Award, President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Mississippi State University
-2018 Teacher of the Year, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Mississippi State University
-2018 Excellence in Teaching Award, Undergraduate Upper Division, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Mississippi State University
Post Graduate Training and Education
2010-2012 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Rice University, , Houston, TX
Contact Information
Phone: 5135567716