Patrick Link's career bridges military service and scientific research. A former Special Forces medic, he transitioned from medical care to bioengineering, earning degrees in biology and emergency medical care before completing an MS and PhD in biomedical engineering. Before joining the University of Iowa, he worked at Mayo Clinic's Tissue Repair & Mechanobiology Lab, investigating the role of posttranslational modifications in mechanobiology. His research focuses on understanding cell-extracellular matrix interactions and developing potential therapies for pulmonary fibrosis. Notably, he has secured research grants from prominent institutions including Boehringer Ingelheim, American Lung Association, DoD, NIH, and NSF, with publications in respected scientific journals. 

Special fields of knowledge:

• Extracellular matrix mechanics
• Pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis
• Oxidative post-translational modifications

Research areas:

• ECM remodeling
• Redox engineering
• Therapeutic targeting of MPO-mediated ECM modifications

Publications