Maria G. Castro

Maria G. Castro is a Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, affiliated with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Cell and Developmental Biology. Her research focuses on epigenetic regulation of brain cancer progression, oncometabolites in tumor microenvironments, and the development of immunotherapies for primary and metastatic brain cancers.

• Epigenetic regulation of brain cancer
• Oncometabolites in tumor microenvironment
• Immunotherapy and gene therapy development
• RNA biology and small hairpin RNAs

Dr. Castro has led an FDA-approved immune-mediated gene therapy Phase 1 clinical trial for malignant brain cancer at the University of Michigan. Her work utilizes genetically engineered mouse models, omics tools, and nanoparticles to identify therapeutic targets. She actively mentors students, emphasizing critical reading, hypothesis-driven experimentation, and scientific communication. Outside academia, she expresses interest in interior design and corporate law for social justice.