Speakers 2024

Speakers 2024

Christian Figueroa-Espada

National Cancer Institute K00 Fellow Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center


Dr. Christian G. Figueroa-Espada is a distinguished biomedical engineer and cancer researcher dedicated to advancing therapeutic strategies through innovative nanotechnology and interdisciplinary approaches. He completed his Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, where his research focused on developing nanoparticle drug delivery systems for cancer therapies, particularly in the context of multiple myeloma.   During his doctoral studies, Dr. Figueroa-Espada worked under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Mitchell, a leading scientist in the field of drug delivery. His research culminated in the invention of novel technologies aimed at targeting interactions within the tumor microenvironment to enhance treatment responses and resensitize cancer cells to FDA-approved chemotherapeutics. His innovative approaches to engineering lipid-based nanoparticles for RNA delivery have positioned him as a thought leader in developing next-generation cancer therapeutics. Additionally, he developed a manufacturing protocol for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that express proteins binding to tumor vasculature, potentially transforming immunotherapy for solid tumors and addressing critical challenges such as systemic toxicities and cytokine release syndrome.   In recognition of his groundbreaking research, Dr. Figueroa-Espada has received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a GEM Consortium Fellowship, a Hispanic Scholarship Foundation Scholarship, and the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award from the National Cancer Institute. His contributions to the field have also garnered recognition from the Biomedical Engineering Society, underscoring his commitment to innovation and excellence in biomedical engineering.   As a postdoctoral fellow at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Figueroa-Espada focuses on understanding tumor microenvironment interactions before and after cancer treatments through high-dimensional single-cell approaches. His long-term goal as a principal investigator is to develop smart biomaterials to target these interactions, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients.   Dr. Figueroa-Espada is not only a researcher and inventor but also a collaborative spirit committed to interdisciplinary work in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computing. He is particularly passionate about mentorship and community engagement, actively seeking opportunities to inspire and guide the next generation of scientists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. He firmly believes in the power of teamwork and aims to integrate mentorship and community into his development as an independent scientist.

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