Shreyas S. Raoمشاهده پروفایل
دانشیار
- Biodegradable Polymers
- Bioengineering
- Biomaterials
- +۱۵ مورد دیگر
Dr. Shreyas S. Rao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of Alabama, College of Engineering. He leads the Rao Laboratory, which is affiliated with the Polymers and Soft Materials Research Center. His research focuses on engineering 3D biomaterial scaffolds to model cancer microenvironments, particularly in metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases. Dr. Rao earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Ohio State University and a B.E. from R.V. College of Engineering, India. He joined The University of Alabama in 2015 after a postdoctoral position at the University of Michigan. His research interests lie at the intersection of biomaterials, cancer biology, and systems engineering. He develops hydrogel and porous scaffolds to mimic in vivo tissue conditions, enabling the study of tumor dormancy, drug resistance, and metastatic progression in physiologically relevant models. His lab integrates biomaterial design with systems biology to uncover mechanisms of therapeutic resistance and devise strategies to reprogram the tumor microenvironment. The recent publications from his lab highlight a strong focus on metastatic cancer, particularly brain metastasis in breast cancer, tumor dormancy, immune interactions, phage-based therapeutics, and biomimetic modeling. The work spans from fundamental biomaterial design to translational applications in drug screening and personalized medicine. CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2018 Grant recipient, Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, January 2024 Named 'Emerging Leader in Biological Engineering,' Journal of Biological Engineering, 2019 Reichhold-Shumaker Assistant Professorship, The University of Alabama, 2017 Ohio State College of Engineering’s Texnikoi Outstanding Alumni Award, 2024 National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Inductee, 2024 American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award METAvivor Early Career Investigator Award Dr. Rao has successfully advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have received national fellowships and awards. His research is supported by grants from the NSF, American Cancer Society, BCRFA, and METAvivor. He collaborates with researchers at institutions such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ohio State University, and UNC/NCSU. The Rao Lab also engages in outreach, mentoring high school and undergraduate students through programs like Randall Research Scholars and REU. The Rao Laboratory operates within the Science and Engineering Complex and is part of a broader network of research centers including the Polymers and Soft Materials Research Center and the Integrative Center for Athletic and Sport Technology. The lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in bioengineering and cancer therapeutics.







