Brisa Peña

Brisa Peña serves as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Medicine-Cardiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, where she leads innovative research at the intersection of cardiac biomechanics, biomaterials science, and regenerative medicine. Her work focuses on developing nanotechnology-based solutions for cardiac tissue engineering and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiomyopathies.

Her educational foundation includes a PhD in Engineering from Universitat Rovira i Virgili (2012), an MS from the same institution (2009), and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Mexico (2007). These qualifications underpin her multidisciplinary approach to cardiovascular research.

Dr. Peña's research program centers on cardiac tissue engineering with specialized expertise in atomic force microscopy (AFM) for characterizing cardiomyocyte mechanics, development of injectable hydrogels and nanomaterial-based scaffolds for cardiac repair, and investigation of fibrosis mechanisms in genetic cardiomyopathies. Her laboratory employs advanced techniques including nanomechanical analysis, biomaterial fabrication, and molecular characterization to address critical challenges in heart failure and regenerative cardiology. Current projects focus on miRNA delivery systems for cardiac regeneration and the biomechanical consequences of lamin A/C mutations.

Analysis of her 30+ publications reveals consistent thematic emphasis on nanomaterial applications in cardiac tissue engineering (particularly carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles), AFM-based biomechanical characterization of cardiac cells, and the development of thermoresponsive hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Her work demonstrates strong translational potential with significant implications for treating arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure through novel biomaterial approaches.

Her scientific achievements have been recognized through 12 major awards including:

• NHLBI K25 award (2020) for developing efficient miRNA delivery systems
• AHA SFRN Heart Failure Fellowship (2017)
• URV Extraordinary Doctorate Award (2013)
• Multiple NIH T32 training grants and AHA travel awards
• NIH Diversity Supplement for cardiac biomaterials development (2014)

Dr. Peña has secured substantial NIH and AHA funding including the prestigious K25 career development award and multiple T32 training grants, demonstrating her capacity to lead independent research programs. While specific advisees are not publicly listed, her collaborative publications with trainees across multiple institutions indicate active mentorship in cardiovascular research. Her work frequently involves interdisciplinary teams spanning cardiology, bioengineering, and materials science.

She operates within the Cardiology research ecosystem at the University of Colorado, contributing to collaborative initiatives in cardiac biomechanics and regenerative medicine. Her laboratory integrates advanced imaging, biomaterials engineering, and molecular cardiology approaches to develop next-generation therapies for heart disease, with particular emphasis on translating nanotechnology innovations to clinical applications.