Paula Hammond

Paula T. Hammond is the David H. Koch Professor of Engineering, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and a member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A pioneer in nanotechnology and polymer science, she develops layer-by-layer (LbL) nanoparticle platforms for cancer therapy, wound healing, vaccine delivery, and synthetic blood substitutes. Her work bridges chemical engineering, materials science, and biomedical applications with a focus on translational research.

• BS in Chemical Engineering, MIT (1984)
• MS in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Tech (1988)
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, MIT (1993)

Research Interests:
Hammond’s research spans nano-based drug delivery, immunotherapy, biomedical implants, and self-assembling materials. Her lab designs LbL nanoparticles for ovarian cancer, glioblastoma, and intractable cancers, enabling combination therapies (siRNA, proteins, chemotherapy). Recent work includes ML-driven nanoparticle design and two-component hemostatic systems for internal bleeding.

Article Trends:
Her recent publications (2025) emphasize modular LbL nanoparticles for hematopoietic stem cells, cancer immunostimulation, and multi-drug delivery. Broader keywords include Nanotechnology, Biomaterials, RNA Therapeutics, while sub-fields cover targeted drug release, immune activation, and synthetic oxygen transport.

Scientific Awards:

• National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2024)
• Othmer Gold Medal (2024)
• Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry (2024)
• James R. Killian Faculty Achievement Award (2023-24)
• MIT Institute Professor (2021)
• Three-time National Academy member (Sciences, Engineering, Medicine)

Advising & Leadership:
Hammond has mentored over 60 graduate students and postdocs, co-founded LayerBio, Inc., and serves on scientific advisory boards for Moderna and Burroughs-Wellcome Fund. She chairs MIT’s Initiative on Faculty Race and Diversity and contributes to national science policy through PCAST.

Lab & Collaborations:
The Hammond Lab at MIT’s Koch Institute develops LbL nanoparticle systems with applications in cancer, regenerative medicine, and hemostasis. Collaborations include the MIT Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology and partnerships with clinicians, biologists, and engineers.