Meet Bryce Shirk
Visiting Instructional Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering
Mentored by:
- Walter Lee Murfee, Ph.D.
- Chris Geiger, Ph.D.
- Ana Maria Porras, Ph.D.
Dr. Shirk is a Visiting Instructional Assistant Professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and M.S. in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida, and his B.S. in Biochemistry from Florida State University.
His research explores how naturally evolved biological processes can be adapted and engineered for applications in biomaterials, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing. This work includes genetically engineering insects to produce novel functional materials and developing insect cell systems for recombinant protein expression. Before his current position, Dr. Shirk served as a USDA AFRI Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Florida.
As an educator and mentor, he is passionate about helping students connect engineering concepts to meaningful biological problems, drawing on his interdisciplinary background to make complex scientific ideas accessible across disciplines and audiences.