Grad Student Presents at Cancer Engineering Symposium

The University of Arizona’s inaugural Cancer Engineering Symposium took place on March 24. The event, co-hosted by the College of Engineering and the Cancer Center, brought together internationally recognized researchers for the launch of the UA Cancer Engineering Initiative.

Through the state of Arizona’s New Economy Initiative, the UA was awarded $10.8 million for interdisciplinary research to advance understanding of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. David W. Hahn, Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering, addressed the group of cancer biologists and engineers.

“When I came to Arizona as dean in 2019, I set a high priority to build a cancer engineering program here in collaboration with our colleagues,” he said. “Now – thanks to excellent partnerships, expertise and timing – we’re seeing that this initiative has huge potential.”

Hahn first worked on cancer engineering at the University of Florida, where he had a 20-year career and chaired the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He collaborated with Greg Sawyer, the symposium’s keynote speaker.

Francisco Martinez, who is pursuing a CHEE master’s degree, presented research on targeted cancer drug delivery at the event.

“As a chemical engineer, you feel that maybe there isn’t a place for you because you don’t have that background in biology. But we’re totally capable of transitioning to that field with the skills gained as engineers,” he said. “It gave me confidence seeing Greg’s success.”

Martinez was among several graduate students presenting research posters at the symposium. He is working with UA professor Roberto Guzman on cancer drug delivery carriers. Martinez’s goal is to make cancer drugs more effective and efficient by increasing their targeting capabilities and bioavailability.