Soft tissue diseases and injuries often go undetected until they cause serious health issues, making early monitoring and prevention critical in modern medicine. At Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), Dr. Chandler Benjamin is addressing this challenge by studying soft tissues at their most fundamental level; work that is shaping biomedical research while preparing the next generation of physicianeers.
Bridging Physics and Medicine Through Rheology
Benjamin, assistant professor, specializes in the mechanics of soft matter, which includes hydrogels, polymers, and biological tissues. His research examines how these materials respond to stretching, compression, and other forces, and how fluids and structures interact within the body.
This field, known as rheology – the study of matter that flows – offers critical insights into tissue behavior. These insights guide the design of safer medical devices, more accurate vascular models, and improved biomaterials for patient care.
“Soft tissues are remarkably complex, and even small changes in their structure can have a huge impact on health,” Benjamin said. “At EnMed, I can study these mechanics at a fundamental level because of the unique integration of engineering and medical perspectives here. That collaboration allows me to turn that knowledge into better medical solutions.”
Global Leadership Through Biomedical Engineering
Benjamin’s expertise is recognized globally through leadership roles that connect engineering and medicine. He serves on the advisory board for Transport Phenomena and is also a founding board member of the International Society of Engineering Health. From 2022 to 2025, he served on the advisory board of Physics of Fluids. These appointments demonstrate how Benjamin helps guide research at the intersection of physics, engineering, and biomedical science.
Hands-On Innovation at EnMed
At EnMed, Benjamin mentors students using the Universal Tensile Tester (UTT), an advanced system that gently stretches and compresses soft tissues to measure their elasticity and recovery. By tracking properties such as strength, elasticity, and energy absorption, the UTT reveals how tissues respond to real-world stress.
The experience provides students with hands-on opportunities with advanced testing methods that allow them to study delicate samples, such as the aorta, without causing damage and apply engineering principles to living systems, preparing them to design safer, more effective medical devices. Colleagues describe Benjamin as both meticulous and approachable, qualities that make him a sought-after mentor.
From Discovery to Prevention
Through his research and mentorship, Benjamin exemplifies how EnMed’s fusion of engineering and medicine drives innovation with purpose. His work goes beyond how tissues behave; it’s about transforming how physicians detect and treat disease before it becomes life-threatening — reducing costs, avoiding complications and improving outcomes for patients.
“What makes EnMed special is how it empowers students to tackle problems that no one has solved before,” Benjamin said. “Being part of that process, watching ideas grow from curiosity into real-world solutions, is incredibly rewarding.”
Discover how EnMed is advancing healthcare innovation.
