Dr. Lamkin-Kennard's graduate work focused on development of a non-linear, coupled, diffusion-reaction model to simulate nitric oxide release, transport, and mechanisms of action in cylindrical microvessels. The model solved multiple, dynamic, non-linear PDEs describing blood flow and mass transport and reaction kinetics of multiple chemical species using finite element methods. After completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Lamkin-Kennard was a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Rochester. She received a National Institutes of Health Kirchstein post-doctoral National Research Scholar Award (NRSA) to develop a 3-D computational microhydrodynamics model of rolling and adhering neutrophils in a cylindrical geometry. Her research there also involved evaluating the effects of hydrodynamics in complex vessel geometries on cellular adhesion and microcirculatory flow profiles.

Dr. Lamkin-Kennard's specific areas of expertise include biofluid dynamics and transport phenomena, biomedical computation and numerical methods, biomaterials, and integrated multiphysics systems modeling, particularly related to microcirculatory, cardiovascular, and cellular systems biology. Within the Mechanical Engineering Department, she has taught Introduction to Biomaterials, System Dynamics, and Mathematics for Engineers I and II courses. She has also supervised numerous Senior Design and M.S. thesis projects. She is also an Affiliated Faculty member for the Biomedical Engineering Program and an Extended Faculty member for the Microsystems Engineering Ph.D. Program.

Dr. Lamkin-Kennard’s research focuses on the use of computational and physical models to simulate integrated human physiological systems. Her primary research area utilizes a combination of multiphysics modeling and experimental studies in custom fabricated microchannels to evaluate the effects of microhydrodynamics and transport phenomena on microcirculatory processes and disease states. Specific areas under investigation include the effects of complex vessel geometries and associated fluid dynamics on cellular adhesion and the role of ischemia-reperfusion in glaucoma. A second area of research focuses on the development and application of novel robotic actuators and sensors for biomimetic robotics and assistive device applications. Two particular areas of interest involve the use of McKibben style air muscles for robotic applications and characterization and testing of electroactive polymer materials for biomedical applications.