Fibrosis and remodeling of extracellular matrix are involved in many diseases, such as tumors, wound healing, and chronic inflammation. During fibrosis, tissues undergo changes in their viscoelastic properties, i.e., how they resist deformation like a solid and dissipate stress over time like a fluid. My research program determines the impact of viscoelasticity on inflammation in fibrotic tissues and develops new immune therapies in cancer and regeneration. I study the role of monocytes, which infiltrate into tissue and differentiate into phagocytic and antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. I utilize an artificial extracellular matrix to dissect a mechanical checkpoint of monocyte fate and develop strategies to target monocytes in hematopoietic malignancies and head and neck cancer. Further, I develop biomaterials that interface with dental tissues to modulate inflammation and support regeneration. Overall, my long-term goal is to determine how extracellular matrix physically impacts inflammation and to develop therapies targeting immuno-mechanical signaling.