Mangala Srinivas

Prof. Mangala Srinivas is a Full Professor and Chair of Cell Biology and Immunology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR, Netherlands). She is also a Chief Scientific Advisor to the European Commission, the first WUR appointee to this prestigious role. Her research focuses on multifunctional nanoparticles for in vivo imaging and immunomodulation, pioneering 19F MRI for cell tracking and developing translational diagnostic/therapeutic platforms. Her work involves integrating imaging modalities like fluorescence, MRI, and photoacoustics in cancer and cardiovascular disease studies. Key achievements include winning the Dutch Venture Challenge 2015 (leading to spin-off Cenya Imaging B.V.) and securing major grants including ERC, NWO VENI, and EU H2020 funding. She oversees a department of ~30 staff impacting 2000+ students annually and contributes to WUR's sustainability/inclusion policies. Beyond academia, she chairs initiatives on Open Science and gender equity through the Young Academy of Europe, speaking globally at UNESCO and EuroScience events.

• Education:
  • PhD: Carnegie Mellon University (USA)
  • BSc (Hons): National University of Singapore
• Research Interests:
  • Multifunctional nanoparticle design for imaging and therapy
  • 19F MRI and multimodal imaging techniques
  • Immune cell tracking in disease models
• Grants & Awards:
  • ERC Proof of Concept Grants (2019-2024)
  • H2020-MSCA-ITN (€4.05M coordination)
  • NWO Take-off Phase II (€250k)
• Policy Impact:
  • EU Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) member
  • Advocacy for researcher equity and Open Science

Her lab integrates cutting-edge imaging technologies with clinical translation, emphasizing nanoparticle stability and safety. Recent work explores force sensing hydrogels and long-term nanoparticle stability, advancing personalized medicine applications. Collaborations span academia, industry (e.g., Cenya Imaging), and policymakers to bridge research and societal impact.