Elizabeth A. Friis

Dr. Friis is a C.E. and M.J. Spahr Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  Prior to joining KU in 2001, she was a Research Scientist at the Orthopaedic Research Institute from 1987 to 2001. Dr. Friis’ main research interests are in mechanical testing of materials and structures and medical implant design. Her current interests involve using piezoelectric materials in implants to stimulate biological healing of tissues. Dr. Friis has led several efforts at KU to incorporate technology entrepreneurship education into the engineering curriculum. She has received several federal Small Business Innovation Research awards and has licensed technologies that are currently commercialized. Dr. Friis is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.