Matthew J. Paszek

Matthew J. Paszek is an Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University, where he joined the faculty in Spring 2014. His research bridges chemical engineering, biophysics, and cancer biology through interdisciplinary investigations of cellular mechanics and glycobiology.

His educational background includes:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Cornell University (2002)
• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania (2009)
• Postdoctoral training at University of California, San Francisco (2012)
• Kavli Fellow at Cornell University (2013)

Dr. Paszek's research centers on how spatial organization of biomolecules and mechanical forces govern cellular signaling at nanometer scales, with groundbreaking work on the cancer glycocalyx. His lab employs super-resolution imaging, computational modeling, and molecular biology to investigate how sugar coatings on cells drive tumor progression. This work reveals that glycans are not merely structural but actively prime integrin-mediated cancer growth through mechanical mechanisms.

His publication trends demonstrate consistent innovation across nanoscale imaging techniques (e.g., Scanning Angle Interference Microscopy), cancer mechanobiology, and glycocalyx biochemistry. These works collectively advance understanding of how physical forces and biochemical signaling intersect in disease contexts, particularly in tumor microenvironments.

Scientific recognition includes:

• NIH New Innovator Award (2015)
• BMES Postdoctoral Fellow Award (2013)
• Kavli Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2012)
• Sandler Foundation/UCSF Biomedical Breakthrough Fellowship (2012)
• UPenn Leadership Graduate Research Fellowship (2002)

As principal investigator of the Paszek Lab, he directs research supported by high-impact grants including the NIH New Innovator award. His work exemplifies Cornell Engineering's interdisciplinary ethos through collaborations with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine. Current projects include developing biosynthetic lubricants for arthritis treatment through NSF-funded Sprout Award initiatives.

The Paszek Lab operates at the convergence of engineering and life sciences, maintaining state-of-the-art imaging facilities for nanoscale cellular analysis while fostering cross-departmental teams focused on translating mechanistic discoveries into therapeutic strategies for cancer and degenerative diseases.