headshot of Katrina Knight

Katrina Knight

Assistant Professor
kmk144@pitt.edu
(412) 641-4041
Bioengineering Department

overview

The overarching goal of the Knight Laboratory is to improve the lives of women with pelvic floor disorders through the development of novel and innovative devices and treatments. Specifically, the lab focuses on pelvic organ prolapse (prolapse), a common gynecologic condition characterized by the unnatural descent of the pelvic organs into the vaginal canal. Synthetic meshes are often used in the surgical repair of prolapse; however, complications have hindered the use of mesh with pain and exposure of mesh fibers through the vaginal epithelium (i.e., mesh exposure) most reported. The Knight lab is particularly interested in elucidating the biomechanics and biologic mechanisms that lead to complications associated with the use of synthetic mesh in prolapse repairs. This increased knowledge will then be used to develop a novel device to repair prolapse. To accomplish these goals, the Knight Laboratory utilizes an interdisciplinary approach that combines skills from biology (e.g., animal model development, biochemical analyses, histology) and engineering (e.g., CAD model design, computational modeling, device development, mechanical testing, tissue regeneration).

about

(2021) Excellence in Professional Advancement Award, Pitt Strive Community, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.

(2020) Best Basic Science Paper (Lead Author), American Urogynecology Society PFD Week 2020.

(2019) JBME Editors’ Choice Paper (Co-Author), Journal of Biomechanical Engineering.

(2018) Pacesetter Award, Pitt Strive Community, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.

(2018 - 2019) Selected Participant, CEED Program, Institute for Clinical Research Education, University of Pittsburgh.

(2016) Best Technology/Novel Therapies Paper (Lead Author), American Urogynecology Society PFD Week 2016.

(2016) Best Overall Paper (Co-Author), American Urogynecology Society PFD Week 2016.

(2016) Greek Advisor of the Year, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, University of Pittsburgh.

(2015) SB3C Diversity Travel Award, Summer Bioengineering, Biomechanics, Biotransport Conference.

(2015) Provost Development Fund Dissertation Support Award, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.

(2014) Student Leadership Award, Women of Color STEM Conference.

(2014) Selected Participant, Michigan Engineering NextProf Workshop, University of Michigan.

(2012) Pre-doctoral Competition Honorable Mention, Ford Foundation.

(2010 - 2011) George M. Bevier Fellowship in Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.

(2010 - 2011) K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship, Office of Diversity, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.

(2006 - 2009) Outstanding Academic Achievement, Claflin University.

(2006 - 2009) Presidential Scholarship, Claflin University.

PhD Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2017

BS Biochemistry, Claflin University, 2009

Knight, K., Breedlove, S., Obisesan, T., Egnot, M., Daneshdoost, N., King, G., Meyn, L., Gall, K., & Moalli, P. (2024). Vaginal host response to polycarbonate urethane, an alternative material for the repair of pelvic organ prolapse. Acta Biomaterialia, S1742-7061(24)00565-8.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.09.040.

Bachtiar, E.O., Knight, K., Moalli, P., & Gall, K. (2023). Deformation and Durability of Soft Three-Dimensional-Printed Polycarbonate Urethane Porous Membranes for Potential Use in Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 145(9), 091006.ASME International. doi: 10.1115/1.4062490.

Fogg, K., Tseng, N.H., Peyton, S.R., Holeman, P., Loughlin, S.M., Fisher, J.P., Sutton, A., Shikanov, A., Gnecco, J.S., Knight, K.M., Slaby, E.M., Weaver, J.D., Hashemi, N.N., Zhang, Y., House, M.D., Vogt, B.J., Aguado, B.A., Bradford, J.C., Robinson, J.L., Thomas, P.K., Lau, A.G., & Oyen, M.L. (2023). Roadmap on biomaterials for women's health. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-MATERIALS, 6(1), 012501.IOP Publishing. doi: 10.1088/2515-7639/ac90ee.

Knight, K.M., King, G.E., Palcsey, S.L., Artsen, A.M., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2022). A soft elastomer alternative to polypropylene for pelvic organ prolapse repair: a preliminary study. INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 33(2), 327-335.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04792-0.

Knight, K.M., King, G.E., Palcsey, S.L., Suda, A., Liang, R., & Moalli, P.A. (2022). Mesh deformation: A mechanism underlying polypropylene prolapse mesh complications in vivo. ACTA BIOMATERIALIA, 148, 323-335.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.05.051.

Shapiro, K.K., Knight, K.M., Liang, R., Cook, J., King, G.E., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2021). Comparison of 2 single incision slings on the vagina in an ovine model. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, 224(1), 78.e1-78.e7.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.005.

Knight, K.M., Artsen, A.M., Routzong, M.R., King, G.E., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2020). New Zealand white rabbit: a novel model for prolapse mesh implantation via a lumbar colpopexy. INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 31(1), 91-99.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-04071-z.

Barone, W.R., Knight, K.M., Moalli, P.A., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2019). Deformation of Transvaginal Mesh in Response to Multiaxial Loading. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME, 141(2), 0210011-0210018.ASME International. doi: 10.1115/1.4041743.

Knight, K., Moalli, P., & Liang, R. (2019). Basic Science of Vaginal Mesh. In The Innovation and Evolution of Medical Devices. (pp. 173-194).Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-97073-8_8.

Shaffer, R.M., Liang, R., Knight, K., Carter-Brooks, C.M., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). Impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle in rhesus macaque. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, 221(4), 330.e1-330.e9.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.05.008.

Knight, K.M., Moalli, P.A., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2018). Preventing Mesh Pore Collapse by Designing Mesh Pores With Auxetic Geometries: A Comprehensive Evaluation Via Computational Modeling. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME, 140(5), 0510051-0510058.ASME International. doi: 10.1115/1.4039058.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Barone, W., Powers, R.W., Nolfi, A., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Extracellular matrix regenerative graft attenuates the negative impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vagina in rhesus macaque. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, 216(2), 153.e1-153.e9.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.09.073.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Barone, W., Powers, R.W., Nolfi, A., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Extracellular Matrix Regenerative Graft Attenuates the Negative Impact of Polypropylene Prolapse Mesh on Vagina in Rhesus Macaque. OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY, 72(5), 277-278.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000515906.95324.21.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Easley, D., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Towards rebuilding vaginal support utilizing an extracellular matrix bioscaffold. ACTA BIOMATERIALIA, 57, 324-333.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.015.

Knight, K., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Mechanics of Pelvic Floor Prosthetic Devices. In Biomechanics of the Female Pelvic Floor. (pp. 149-178).Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-803228-2.00007-6.

Knight, K.M., Moalli, P.A., Nolfi, A., Palcsey, S., Barone, W.R., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2016). Impact of parity on ewe vaginal mechanical properties relative to the nonhuman primate and rodent. INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 27(8), 1255-1263.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00192-016-2963-2.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Exploring the basic science of prolapse meshes. CURRENT OPINION IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY, 28(5), 413-419.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000313.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Nolfi, A., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Differential effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators on the vagina and its supportive tissues. MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY, 23(2), 129-137.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000502.

Liang, R., Abramowitch, S., Knight, K., Palcsey, S., Nolfi, A., Feola, A., Stein, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2013). Vaginal degeneration following implantation of synthetic mesh with increased stiffness. BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, 120(2), 233-243.Wiley. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12085.

Knight, K., Moalli, P., Palcsey, S., Barone, W., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2013). Parity Negatively Impacts the Uniaxial Mechanical Properties of the Vagina in the Ewe. In Volume 1B: Extremity; Fluid Mechanics; Gait; Growth, Remodeling, and Repair; Heart Valves; Injury Biomechanics; Mechanotransduction and Sub-Cellular Biophysics; MultiScale Biotransport; Muscle, Tendon and Ligament; Musculoskeletal Devices; Multiscale Mechanics; Thermal Medicine; Ocular Biomechanics; Pediatric Hemodynamics; Pericellular Phenomena; Tissue Mechanics; Biotransport Design and Devices; Spine; Stent Device Hemodynamics; Vascular Solid Mechanics; Student Paper and Design Competitions, 1 B, (p. v01bt52a003).ASME International. doi: 10.1115/sbc2013-14372.

Research interests

Define the impact of mechanics on...
Develop novel devices and...
Elucidate mechanisms of synthetic...
Understand the combined role of...
Utilize regenerative medicine...