Christina M. Bailey-Hytholt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Dr. Bailey-Hytholt is an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Her research focuses on biomaterials and drug delivery, particularly for women’s health. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from WPI, and she earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, receiving Brown University’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching and School of Engineering Outstanding Thesis Award. Prior to her faculty appointment at WPI, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Genomic Medicines and Biologics Drug Product Development group at Sanofi. In 2022, Dr. Bailey-Hytholt was selected as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 in Science.

Dr. Bailey-Hytholt’s research group at WPI focuses on new methods to understand molecular transport at the maternal-fetal interface and design lipid-based drug delivery carriers to help treat pregnancy-related complications. Her research also investigates gene therapies for women’s health applications. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt’s group has received funding support from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Women’s Health Innovation Grant and Amnion Foundation Seed Grant. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt mentors students within the project-based learning environment at WPI and in her research lab. Her goal as an educator is for all students to be able to succeed and continue in their career with a strong reference skill set and the ability to think critically and creatively. Dr. Bailey-Hytholt is particularly passionate about accessibility and inclusivity in STEM education and K-12 outreach, knowing the importance and impact mentorship can have on future generations of scientists and engineers.