Alina Rwei

Dr. Alina Rwei is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Applied Sciences. She leads the Rwei Group, focusing on innovative biomedical technologies at the intersection of materials science, engineering, and biology. Her research aims to bridge clinical translation with scientific discovery through smart therapeutic and diagnostic platforms.

Academic Background:

• Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Ph.D. supervised by Prof. Robert Langer (MIT) and Prof. Daniel Kohane (Harvard Medical School)
• Postdoctoral training in the lab of Prof. John Rogers at Northwestern University

Research Interests:
Dr. Rwei’s work focuses on precision medicine through externally triggerable drug delivery systems and wearable biosensors. Her group develops liposome-based platforms activated by light, ultrasound, and magnetic fields for targeted cancer and pain therapies. Concurrently, they engineer wearable bioelectronic sensors for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers in sweat and physiological states, particularly in pediatric and neonatal care.

Publication Trends:
Her recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on translational biomedical engineering, combining nanotechnology with clinical applications. Key themes include ultrasound- and light-responsive drug carriers, wearable biosensors for cerebral hemodynamics, and aptamer-based detection systems. The integration of modeling, in vitro/in vivo validation, and device engineering underscores a systems-level approach to therapeutic innovation.

Scientific Awards:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Training Award (TL1) – NIH/NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Rwei actively mentors a diverse team of postdocs, PhD candidates, and master’s and bachelor’s students. She supervises numerous MEP and BEP projects, fostering early-career development in interdisciplinary research. While specific grants are not listed, her NIH-supported postdoctoral fellowship and high-impact publications in journals like Nature Medicine and Science Advances suggest a strong grant funding profile.

Labs and Teams:
The Rwei Group operates at TU Delft, conducting cutting-edge research in precision therapeutics. The team is structured around two main tracks: externally triggerable nanoparticles and wearable sensor technology. They collaborate with clinical and engineering partners to develop closed-loop therapeutic systems and multiplexed sensing platforms for real-world healthcare applications.