1E: Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Modeling and Theranostics

This symposium will highlight advances in biomaterial- and nanomaterial-based platforms that are transforming cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy. Biomaterials-based cancer models closely mimic the tumor microenvironment, enabling integration of multiple cell types, tunable matrices, patient-relevant treatments (e.g., radiation), and high-resolution mechanistic analysis to accelerate therapeutic development with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. Complementing these approaches, nanomaterials are advancing cancer theranostics through multimodal imaging, remotely actuated non-invasive therapies, and innovative immunomodulatory strategies. Together, these technologies bridge physiologically relevant cancer models with next-generation nanomedicine to enhance therapeutic precision and clinical translation.

Moderators:

Dr. Ricardo Cruz-Acuna
Assistant Professor of Cancer Engineering
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Daniel Harrington
Associate Professor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)