Kristopher J. Koudelka

Kristopher J. Koudelka serves as Associate Dean of STEM and Professor of Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), where he has taught since 2014. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Biology and Chemical Biology from The Scripps Research Institute and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

His educational journey features:

• Ph.D., Biology and Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute
• B.A., Biology, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Dr. Koudelka's research pioneers chemical modification of plant/bacterial viruses into viral nanoparticles (VNPs) for precision drug delivery and imaging, with cancer therapy as a primary application. His lab engineers VNPs to transport therapeutics exclusively to disease sites through molecular targeting mechanisms, bridging virology, nanotechnology, and biochemistry. This work emphasizes how chemical structure dictates molecular function in biological systems.

His publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in viral nanotechnology, with recurring themes in capsid engineering, mammalian cell interactions, and endothelial targeting. Key advancements include lysine addressability techniques for bacteriophage procapsids and vimentin-mediated vascular targeting systems.

Professional recognition includes:

• Achievement Recognition for Collegiate Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship
• Joint USD-Scripps Training for Future Faculty Members (JUST) Fellowship
• Auxin Partners Grant

He actively mentors undergraduate researchers in VNP engineering through PLNU's Summer Research program and organizes the annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (WCBSURC). His grant portfolio supports student-driven projects in cancer-targeted nanotherapeutics.

Dr. Koudelka leads the STEM division's research initiatives while directing a specialized lab focused on viral nanoparticle engineering, with ongoing projects optimizing VNPs for tumor-specific drug delivery and molecular imaging applications.