Michelle Farkas

Michelle Farkas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her work bridges chemical biology, synthetic chemistry, and cancer biology to develop molecular tools for studying circadian rhythms and macrophage phenotypes in oncology contexts.

• Affiliated with the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology
• Faculty member at the Center for Bioactive Delivery and Models to Medicine within the Institute for Applied Life Sciences

Research focuses on:

• Designing reporters and modulators for circadian rhythms in cancer models
• Engineering macrophages for anti-cancer polarization and targeted delivery
• Developing chemically modified cells and nanozymes for therapeutic/diagnostic applications

Scientific contributions include chemical modulation of circadian clocks, bioorthogonal nanozyme systems, and novel cell-based delivery platforms. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining synthetic chemistry with cancer immunology.

• DOD-BCRP Postdoctoral Fellow

Current projects aim to translate molecular tools into clinical diagnostics and therapies, leveraging collaborations across chemistry, biology, and medicine.