Samagya Banskota

Samagya Banskota is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, where her research focuses on overcoming delivery barriers for genome editing therapeutics and developing molecular tools to study transposable elements in the human genome.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University
• Postdoctoral training in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT

Dr. Banskota's work integrates synthetic biology, protein engineering, and drug delivery to create genetically-encoded and stimuli-responsive systems for therapeutic macromolecule transport. Her lab develops molecular recorders to investigate transposable elements (genomic dark matter) at scale, aiming to uncover their disease mechanisms and inspire novel treatments for genetic disorders.

Analysis of her 2022-2024 publications reveals dominant themes in viral/non-viral delivery systems for genome editors (particularly compact base/prime editors), with significant applications in ocular, neurological, and oncological contexts. Her cancer research demonstrates innovative synergy between brachytherapy and nanoparticle drug delivery in resistant tumors.

Her accolades include:

• MIT Technological Review 35 Innovators Under 35
• Pratt-Gardner Graduate Fellowship

As a Hartwell Investigator, Dr. Banskota leads a collaborative project developing genome editing therapies for rare childhood disorders. Her lab trains graduate students in cross-disciplinary approaches to therapeutic delivery challenges while securing competitive research funding.

The Banskota Lab operates within Boston University's Biological Design Center and maintains active collaborations across Synthetic Biology, Materials by Design, and Tissue Engineering initiatives.