In Memoriam: Kristi Kiick

I’ve been an admirer or Kristi’s scientific interests since her days in graduate school, and later as a junior faculty member in UD’s MSEG. Her interests in designer proteins, along with strong collaborations with Darrin Pochan and Xinqiao Jia, confirmed to me that the MSEG department at UD would be great place to continue my own academic career. After arriving at UD Kristi became a trusted friend and role model, providing both scientific and administrative support to the community. She had a huge impact on many of her colleagues and students, and we will miss her steadfast and thoughtful contributions.

– David Martin, Colleague in MSEG at UD

I have a million great memories of Kristi going back to graduate school, when she met her husband Rick in graduate school, all the way to now. She and I collaborated over the entire time we were both at UD and have many co-authored papers together. I was so excited when Kristi interviewed at UD, and I was ecstatic when she decided to join our fledgling Materials Science and Engineering Department—she was faculty member number seven to join—because I was lucky enough to not just have an excellent scientist, leader, mentor and collaborator join, but also to have a great friend to work with. It was really just a super fun situation. While I am very sad that she is gone, I have been thinking a lot about memories of her at UD, and it brings a big smile to my face.

– Darrin Pochan, Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, UD

Kristi was an outstanding scientist and compassionate leader, and all of biomedical engineering was made better by her leadership in our field.

– Paul Sajda, Chair of biomedical engineering, Columbia University

I knew of Kristi’s work and had the pleasure of seeing her speak at a conference before I joined the faculty at UD, where I was blown away by her talent and expertise and the impact of her work. What a pleasure it was to meet and then work with Kristi when I joined the faculty at UD. She served as a mentor, collaborator and leader while also being a great friend. Kristi brought energy and engagement, as well as vision and perspective to every role, and she was and remains a great inspiration to me and so many others.

– April Kloxin, Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and materials science and engineering, UD

Kristi was an extraordinary leader, scholar and mentor whose impact on biomedical engineering and the University of Delaware community was profound. Her legacy will endure through the many lives she touched.

– Syam Nukavarapu, Professor and head of biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, University of Connecticut

I loved so many things about Kristi. When I think about how she impacted the University and the people around her, her unwavering positivity and humor, the way she always assumed best intentions — her frankness! — and her innate way of bringing others in to collectively solve a problem are what immediately come to my mind. She was not only a dear friend, but also a role model and mentor for me, and I have tried to emulate the way she brought these traits to leadership, because I saw daily how these approaches made all the difference.

– Millicent Sullivan, Professor and chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering, UD

Kristi was always a friend and a mentor, and I remember all the ways she was supportive of her colleagues. What I appreciate the most (in this incredibly sad time) is how often she was willing to be vulnerable and tell people when things were stressing her out. It was a good reminder that no matter how great you are at what you do—and Kristi was truly an outstanding scholar—and no matter how tough you are—and Kristi was so very tough— sometimes things get to you and that is also okay. Truly, Kristi was a role-model in how to be your authentic self. She also had a great sense of humor and a ready laugh.

– Joshua Zide, Professor and chair of materials science and engineering, UD

Kristi and I both started as assistant professors at UD in 2001. From the day I met her, she was someone I admired tremendously. Her work was incredibly important—I was reminded of this just last month at a scientific conference when a keynote speaker discussed the impact of Kristi’s work during his talk. I marveled at Kristi’s dedication to her students, her abilities as a mentor and her continual efforts to make UD a better university. She was a wonderful friend and colleague who represented the absolute best of UD.

– Joseph Fox, Francis Alison Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UD

Kristi has been my mentor, role model, collaborator and close friend since I joined UD in 2005. She was an extraordinary individual, always thinking about important scientific problems to solve. She was kind, generous and selfless. We have collaborated successfully for many years, publishing 19 papers together. She dedicated her life to science and education. She has positively impacted my life and the lives of many others.

– Xinqiao Jia, Professor of materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering and biological sciences, UD

I really appreciated the way that Kristi took interest in my professional growth and pushed me to take on more leadership roles. She really saw and appreciated what people were doing, and she helped them see where their strengths could carry them. Kristi naturally slipped into a mentorship role with the people she worked with.

– Ryan Zurakowski, Chair, Biomedical Engineering

“Kristi helped me, and the University of Delaware, in more ways than I can count. She was among the first people to reach out when I was appointed dean, and she helped me find my footing at UD, our shared alma mater. We partnered on a number of initiatives while she was deputy dean, and through that work, I learned a great deal from her about leading and following. I was particularly grateful when she accepted the appointment as chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, even with her commitments to research, teaching and a growing family. You don’t meet many people like Kristi in life. I feel blessed to have worked with her and called her a friend. She is dearly missed.”

– Levi Thompson, Former Dean of the College of Engineering, 2018 to 2024