(6fc) Light-Activatable Nanoconstructs for Mechanism-Based Combination Therapy

My background is in biochemical engineering with extensive experience in cutting-edge photoresponsive nanoconstructs for the delivery of therapeutics. As a postdoctoral fellow my training has broadened into tumor biology and rationally designed combination therapies, with a focus on tackling compelling challenges in translational nanomedicine. My research efforts cover cross-disciplinary boundaries and reflect creativity in developing new nanoplatforms. This multidisciplinary tack has led to influential and innovative work as reflected by my publications, patent and awards. To transition to independence, I seek to build a laboratory bridging biochemical engineering (nanotechnology) and oncology (basic science). It is increasingly apparent that multi-faceted combination treatments will most likely to improve outcomes. However, the selective delivery of multiple regimens to the right place, right time, and in the correct sequence with respect to the mechanistic therapeutic interactions remain major challenges. These unmet needs provide a clear and distinct path for my transition to independence. I will leverage image-guided strategies and engineering to develop a photoresponsive nanoplatform that can co-delivery multiple regimens in a unique manner, where one treatment primes the target for the second modality, and the subsequent evasion pathways are mitigated by a third agent. All agents are rationally selected and released in an appropriate time and sequence to account for mechanistic interactions and to improve outcomes. The principle and the nanoplatform developed here will be adaptable to treating a broad range of diseases. This poster will highlight my previous and current research, mentoring (teaching) philosophy and the distinct future research direction to establish a unique program in image-guided customization of nano-photomedicine.