Maria Gonzalez Porras

Maria Gonzalez Porras serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UTSA's Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, leading the Adipose Tissue Engineering and Physiology Lab (FatLab) focused on metabolic modulation through engineered fat tissue solutions for cancer, obesity, and regenerative medicine.

Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and Physiology, establishing expertise at the convergence of physiological systems and engineering design.

Research centers on innovating at the adipose tissue interface using nanotechnology and molecular tools to address critical challenges in cancer microenvironments, metabolic disorders, and wound repair. The FatLab pioneers translational approaches where fat biology meets engineering functionality, emphasizing therapeutic applications for thermoregulatory conditions and tissue regeneration.

Her scientific contributions are recognized through prestigious awards:

• 2024 Voelcker Foundation Early Career Pilot Award in Cancer
• 2024 Vanderbilt Vibrant Travel Award for The Metabolic Physiology Meeting
• 2023 UNM CTSC Bioventure First Place with Patent Disclosure #2022-026
• 2023 Gordon Research Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Travel Award
• 2023 Mays Cancer Center Early Career Pilot Award
• 2020-2023 NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F32)
• Undergraduate Honors: Excellence List (2006-2008) and Highest-Honor Thesis Award (2011)

Dr. Gonzalez Porras directs active grant-funded research including NIH F32 support and cancer center pilot projects, mentoring through the FatLab's interdisciplinary framework. Her laboratory drives innovation in adipose biomechanics and translational potential, with ongoing work targeting clinical applications in metabolic disease and regenerative therapies.