Cancer Research

Rendering of two cells splitting

Our cancer research initiatives apply the rigorous principles of physics, chemistry, and materials science to dismantle the complexities of cancer. By pioneering breakthrough technologies in immunoengineering, targeted nanoscale drug delivery, advanced cellular imaging, and more, our researchers are developing highly precise therapies that train the body’s own immune system to destroy tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

Faculty

Huanhuan Joyce Chen

Joyce Huanhuan Chen

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and Ben May Department for Cancer Research
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Molecular Engineering
Cellular Engineering
Tissue Engineering
Stem Cell Biology
Cancer Biology
Research Groups
Joyce Chen Lab
Nicolas Chevrier

Nicolas Chevrier

Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Immunology
Systems Biology
Research Groups
Chevrier Lab
Aaron Esser-Kahn

Aaron Esser-Kahn

Professor of Molecular Engineering, Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs, Co-Director of the Immunoengineering and Bioengineering Institute, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Materials and Sustainability
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Vascular Tissue Engineering
Immune Programming Polymers
Carbon Capture Methods
Research Groups
Esser-Kahn Group
Margaret L. Gardel

Margaret L. Gardel

Edward L. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Physics and Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the College
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Materials and Sustainability
Research and Scholarly Interests
Cell and Tissue Mechanics
Polymer Physics
Cell Adhesion and Migration
Research Groups
Gardel Lab
Jun Huang

Jun Huang

Associate Professor of Molecular Engineering, Chair of the Admissions Committee, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
T Cell Immunology
mRNA Nanotechnology
T Cell Receptor
Chimeric Antigen Receptor
Immunotherapy
Research Groups
Huang Lab
Juan Mendoza

Juan Mendoza

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, Senior Advisor to the Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Protein Engineering
Structural Biology
Computational Biology
Immunology
Cell Signaling
Research Groups
Mendoza Group
Samantha Riesenfeld

Samantha Riesenfeld

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering and Medicine, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Computational Biology
Genomics
Systems Immunology
Research Groups
Riesenfeld Group
Milos Simic

Milos Simic

Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Cell Engineering
Synthetic Biology
Neuroinflammation
Neurodegeneration
Brain-Targeted Therapies
Research Groups
The Simic Lab
Melody Swartz

Melody Swartz

William B. Ogden Professor of Molecular Engineering, Co-Director of the Immunoengineering and Bioengineering Institute, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Lymphatic Physiology
Cancer Research
Immunotherapy
Research Groups
Swartz Lab
Joshua Weinstein

Joshua Weinstein

Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Department of Medicine, Section of Genetic Medicine
Research Topics
Immunoengineering and Bioengineering
Research and Scholarly Interests
Biophysics
Numerical Analysis
Molecular Biology
Research Groups
Weinstein Lab