{"id":169,"date":"2016-02-12T11:24:30","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T16:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/?page_id=169"},"modified":"2026-09-11T11:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T15:43:12","slug":"dr-caitlin-howell","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/our-team\/dr-caitlin-howell\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Caitlin Howell"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(65% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id169_1c4b58-6e alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_08b03d-11{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_08b03d-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_08b03d-11\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image169_1b1b2d-70 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image169_1b1b2d-70 size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-105x70.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-317x211.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-423x282.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-634x423.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-846x564.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-951x634.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1-1268x845.png 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Caitlin-picture-1.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_06b51a-44{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_06b51a-44 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_06b51a-44\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p><strong>Caitlin Howell, Ph.D.<\/strong><br>Professor of Bioengineering<br>Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering<br>University of Maine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Caitlin Howell is a bioengineer and materials scientist whose work focuses on controlling what happens at interfaces. Drawing on biology, chemistry, and materials science, she develops materials and manufacturing approaches that create useful function through structure, biological growth, and scalable fabrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=-hpjIEwAAAAJ&amp;hl=en\">Google Scholar \u2192<\/a><\/strong>   <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9345-6642\">ORCID \u2192<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id169_7a132d-3c alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_899a4a-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_899a4a-d9\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How I got here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My route to bioengineering has crossed disciplinary boundaries from the beginning. I trained in biology and mathematics as an undergraduate, studied plant pathology at the master&#8217;s level, and completed doctoral work in physical chemistry before moving into bio-inspired materials engineering. That path shapes how I approach engineering problems today: biological systems, interfacial chemistry, materials structure, and manufacturing are not separate subjects, but different ways of understanding and controlling function.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id169_0578f6-50 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_93e8d3-93 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_93e8d3-93\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><strong>Interfaces<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image169_1ff681-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image169_1ff681-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:234px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_1ff681-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_1ff681-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image169_1ff681-4e figure{max-width:234px;}.kb-image169_1ff681-4e .image-is-svg, .kb-image169_1ff681-4e .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image169_1ff681-4e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image169_1ff681-4e\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png 646w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-300x285.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-105x100.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-317x301.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-423x401.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-634x602.png 634w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,646px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding and controlling interactions among materials, fluids, molecules, cells, and organisms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_cd4c97-fc\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><strong>Biology as a fabrication tool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image169_9185ec-e1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image169_9185ec-e1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:192px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_9185ec-e1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_9185ec-e1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image169_9185ec-e1 figure{max-width:192px;}.kb-image169_9185ec-e1 .image-is-svg, .kb-image169_9185ec-e1 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image169_9185ec-e1 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image169_9185ec-e1\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"588\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png 588w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-271x300.png 271w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-105x116.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-317x350.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-423x468.png 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,588px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Using growth and biological transformation to create, modify, replenish, or adapt material function.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_f23496-35{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_f23496-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_f23496-35\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><strong>Scalable materials engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image169_2a3628-43.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image169_2a3628-43 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:192px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_2a3628-43.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_2a3628-43 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image169_2a3628-43 figure{max-width:192px;}.kb-image169_2a3628-43 .image-is-svg, .kb-image169_2a3628-43 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image169_2a3628-43 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image169_2a3628-43\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png 599w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-300x296.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-105x104.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-317x313.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-423x418.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,599px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Developing simpler, resource-conscious approaches to sensing, coatings, biointerfaces, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/\">Explore the lab&#8217;s research \u2192<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id169_9f589c-cc alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column169_3c5471-94{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column169_3c5471-94 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column169_3c5471-94\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching and Mentoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I work with students across bioengineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, biology, and related fields. In both the classroom and the laboratory, I emphasize learning how to define useful questions, work across disciplinary boundaries, evaluate evidence critically, and communicate technical ideas clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image169_7f21a5-77.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image169_7f21a5-77 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:587px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_7f21a5-77.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image169_7f21a5-77 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image169_7f21a5-77 figure{max-width:587px;}.kb-image169_7f21a5-77 .image-is-svg, .kb-image169_7f21a5-77 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image169_7f21a5-77 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image169_7f21a5-77\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-1268x951.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-hike.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/our-team\/\">Meet our team \u2192<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Caitlin Howell, Ph.D.Professor of BioengineeringDepartment of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Maine Caitlin Howell is a bioengineer and materials scientist whose work focuses on controlling what happens at interfaces. Drawing on biology, chemistry, and materials science, she develops materials and manufacturing approaches that create useful function through structure, biological growth, and scalable fabrication. Google Scholar [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":343,"featured_media":0,"parent":140,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-169","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dr. Caitlin Howell - Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab - University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/our-team\/dr-caitlin-howell\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dr. Caitlin Howell - Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab - University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Caitlin Howell, Ph.D.Professor of BioengineeringDepartment of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Maine Caitlin Howell is a bioengineer and materials scientist whose work focuses on controlling what happens at interfaces. 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