Matthias Stephan

Matthias Stephan is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington and an Academic Associate Professor in the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. He also holds an Adjunct Associate Professor position in Bioengineering at the University of Washington.

Dr. Stephan earned his M.D. from Medical University of Luebeck, Germany, and his Ph.D. from Cornell University, followed by postdoctoral training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His interdisciplinary background bridges medicine, engineering, and materials science.

Dr. Stephan's research focuses on immunobioengineering, developing synthetic materials that interface with the immune system to create novel cancer immunotherapies. His laboratory works at the intersection of materials science and immunology, designing biomaterials that can program immune cells directly within the body. His work emphasizes creating off-the-shelf therapies that avoid the complex manufacturing processes required for current cell-based treatments.

His recent publications reveal a consistent trajectory toward developing in situ immune cell reprogramming technologies. He has pioneered approaches using biomaterial scaffolds, polymeric implants, and nanocarriers to deliver genetic instructions directly to immune cells within the body. These innovations span disciplines including immunotherapy, nanotechnology, biomaterials science, and gene delivery, with primary applications in cancer treatment but potential implications for autoimmune diseases and regenerative medicine.

• 2020 GeekWire Award Winner in the category 'Health Innovation of the Year' for T-cell delivery devices

As Principal Investigator of the Stephan Laboratory, Dr. Stephan leads a research team developing next-generation immunomodulatory synthetic materials. His work has resulted in multiple patents and the founding of Tidal Therapeutics, which was acquired by Sanofi in April 2021. His laboratory continues to develop innovative approaches for in situ programming of immune cells, with several technologies advancing toward clinical translation for cancer treatment.