Education
- Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 2024
- M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 2023
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Liberty University, 2019
What are the main focuses of your research?
My background is in medical imaging and microscopy techniques, mechanics of biomaterials, developing induced mouse models of diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and preclinical animal trials of interventions for improving bone health in various disorders. Here at GCC, I have advised student projects working to develop manufacturing methods for microfluidic “organ-on-a-chip” with specialized structures to enable more precise cell culture work.
What specific courses or specialties do you teach?
- Introduction to Engineering (ENGR 156)
- Numerical Computing for Engineers (ENGR 120)
- Instrumentation Lab (MECE 351)
- Engineering Capstone (ENGR 451/452)
- Solidworks: Modeling & Simulation (ENGR 209)
- Design of Experiments (ENGR 304)
- Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering (ENGR 340)
- Biomechanics (MECE 428)
I teach a mix of core engineering courses and technical electives related to biomedical engineering, research, and design.
In your opinion, what is the most important piece of advice you give your students to help them succeed?
Short-term: Academic success is most easily found in community. If you’re doing it alone, you’re doing it the hard way. Even just one like-minded study buddy can help you learn faster and more effectively.
Long-term: Try and always hold on to the big picture of what you are working towards and who you are working for. Beyond technical content, an engineering education provides the opportunity to develop a huge list of soft skills and character traits (critical thinking, curiosity, tenacity, humility, empathy etc.). In today’s ever-evolving AI landscape, hardworking students who can think for themselves will stand out! Most importantly it is our responsibility, as designers bearing the Imago Dei of the Creator, to see engineering as a powerful opportunity to apply our gifting for the good of our neighbor and the glory of God.
Selected Publications
- Kohler R, Segvich DM, Reul ON, Metzger CE, Allen MR, Wallace JM, “Combined Romosozumab and Raloxifene treatment targets impaired bone quality in a murine model of diabetic kidney disease,” Bone, 2025.
- Kohler R, Tastad CA, Creecy A, Wallace JM. “Morphological and mechanical characterization of bone phenotypes in the Amish G610C murine model of osteogenesis imperfecta.” PLoS ONE, 2021; 16(8): e0255315.
- Kohler R, Tastad CA, Stacy AJ, Swallow EA, Metzger CE, Allen MR, Wallace JM. “The effect of single- versus group- micro-CT scanning on detection of trabecular and cortical disease phenotypes in mouse bones.” JBMR Plus, 2021. DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10473