Ken Greis, PhD, is a Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Cincinnati and Director of Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry for UC and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. His research focuses on advancing mass spectrometry technologies to explore biochemical and biomedical systems, particularly in post-translational modification profiling for therapeutic targets. With extensive expertise in nanobiosciences, he has contributed to fields such as cancer biology, metabolic regulation, and cardiovascular research.

Xiaoting Zhang’s lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of gene regulation and their disruption in breast cancer, with a focus on estrogen receptor-positive cases. A central focus is the transcriptional coactivator MED1, which is frequently overexpressed or mutated in breast cancers and associated with resistance to endocrine therapies. By utilizing advanced molecular techniques and RNA nanotechnology, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic strategies and enhance personalized treatments for breast cancer.

Somchai Chutipongtanate, a clinician, immunologist, and bioinformatician, focuses on the roles of extracellular vesicles in cancers and viral infections. His research integrates clinical insights to address unmet needs, scientific evidence to generate hypotheses, and informatics expertise to accelerate discoveries. By harmonizing his multidisciplinary experience, he advances the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.

Jiajie Diao’s lab focuses on membrane biophysics and nanotechnology, exploring single-vesicle studies of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion and single-molecule analyses of protein conformational changes in membrane environments. The lab also investigates nanoparticle structures for biomedical detection, combining biophysics and nanotechnology to advance understanding and applications in these fields.

Joan Garrett’s research program focuses on understanding the signal transduction pathways involved in cancer, with a strong commitment to mechanism-based translational research to improve patient outcomes. Her work spans basic cancer biology, translational studies in mouse models and human tissues, and integration with clinical trials. The lab employs a wide range of technologies, including mammalian tissue culture, molecular analyses, next-generation DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, and live animal imaging.

Dr. Taraneh Esfandiari is an associate professor of Biomedical Engineering and a faculty member of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s CuSTOM program. Her research focuses on developing micro- and nano-scale technologies, including sensors and actuators, for applications in liquid biopsy and regenerative medicine. Recognized with awards such as the NIH MIRA Award and the NSF CAREER Award, her work has been supported by NIH, NSF, and the Department of Defense. Dr. Esfandiari holds a PhD in Bioengineering from UCLA and brings a blend of academic and industrial experience, along with a strong commitment to mentoring students and advancing research.

Dr. Donglu Shi is the Director of Energy Materials and Nanomedicine Laboratories in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and a Fellow of ASM International. His research spans nanoscience, energy materials, biomedical engineering, and condensed matter physics, leading to over 300 peer-reviewed publications with a Google Scholar h-index of 76, including work in Nature and ACS Nano. Previously Chair and Graduate Director of Materials Science and Engineering, Dr. Shi has supervised 50 graduate students and conducted groundbreaking studies on superconductors, energy storage, and nanomedicine.

Dr. Andrew Steckl leads the Nanoelectronics Laboratory, focusing on bio/organic materials and sensors, microfluidic devices, and electrospun nanofiber membranes for bio/medical applications. A Fellow of IEEE, AAAS, and the National Academy of Inventors, he has published ~460 papers with ~17,000 citations (h-index: 72) and holds 28 patents. With over $20M in research funding from federal, state, and industry sources, Dr. Steckl's innovative contributions to optoelectronics and bio/electronic materials have earned him numerous accolades, including the Electronics and Photonics Award from the Electrochemical Society.

Dr. Ryan White, Professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar in the Department of Chemistry, specializes in nanoscience, electrochemistry, and biological interfaces. His research focuses on developing innovative bioanalytical methods to study chemical and biological systems at nanoscale resolutions, bridging fundamental science and applied sensor technologies. Recipient of the Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award, Dr. White also holds a joint appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has served as Head of Chemistry since 2022.