Lisa Volpatti

Lisa Volpatti is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biological Engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University. Her research focuses on immunoengineering to treat metabolic diseases through protein engineering and biomaterials. The Volpatti Lab develops targeted immunomodulatory therapies to reduce inflammation in conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Key approaches include engineering cytokines to bind LDL for plaque targeting and designing biomimetic polymers for controlled drug delivery.

Her interdisciplinary work bridges engineering and medicine, emphasizing translational solutions to combat metabolic disorders. The lab prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively engaging in STEM outreach and addressing health disparities linked to obesity. Contact: volpatti@northwestern.edu.

Research projects include cytokine engineering for tumor immunotherapy, pro-drug strategies for atherosclerosis, and polymer-based vaccine systems. Collaborations span biomaterials design, protein expression, and clinical translation.