Gabriel Lopez-Berestein

Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, M.D., is a distinguished academic leader in cancer nanomedicine and experimental therapeutics. He holds primary appointments as the John Q. Gaines Foundation Endowed Professor in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Professor of NanoMedicine and Biomedical Engineering at UTHealth. He also serves as Associate Director of the RNA Center at MD Anderson and holds adjunct roles at Rice University, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, and other institutions.

His research focuses on developing tumor-targeted nanotherapeutics, including lipid-based drug delivery systems and RNA-interference technologies. Notable achievements include pioneering liposomal drug delivery in the U.S., leading to FDA-approved therapies like ABELCET and ATRAGEN. Current work emphasizes nanocarrier systems for siRNA and small molecules, with applications in ovarian cancer and hematological malignancies.

Lopez-Berestein’s laboratory integrates basic science and clinical translation, emphasizing drug resistance mechanisms and tumor progression pathways. His interdisciplinary collaborations span bioengineering, pharmacology, and oncology, contributing to over 30 years of impactful research in cancer therapeutics.

Key affiliations include leadership roles across multiple universities and institutions, reflecting his broad influence in the field. His lab’s future directions aim to advance non-toxic, targeted therapies through innovative nanoparticle designs.