Dr. Colleen Loynachan

I am an interdisciplinary materials engineer with a passion for developing nano and biomaterials to address challenges in healthcare. My research lies at the intersection of materials science, bioengineering and nanotechnology, and has focused on the development of novel nanoparticle-enabled technologies for globally accessible disease diagnostics and therapeutics. My research aims to address clinical challenges in therapeutic delivery through the rational design of bioinspired nanomaterials – taking advantage of size, surface chemistry, and supramolecular assemblies to develop the next generation of targeted nanomedicines.

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering from MIT, then pursued my PhD in Materials and Bioengineering at Imperial College London on the Marshall Scholarship in Prof. Molly Stevens’ laboratory. Here I published several research papers on novel nanomaterials for enhancing the sensitivity of in vitro and in vivo diagnostics for early detection of cancer and infectious diseases. Following my PhD, I joined EPFL as a postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Francesco Stellacci’s group to develop nanomaterial-enabled therapeutic technologies for antiviral and intracellular delivery applications. I have become experienced in a broad range of experimental and analytical techniques with emphasis in the areas of nanomaterial synthesis, bioconjugation strategies, and assay development.

I am attracted to academic research because it satisfies my intellectual curiosity to develop creative and innovative materials solutions and fulfills my passion to teach, mentor, and collaborate. I am a strong communicator with demonstrated skills in leadership and project management. In the future, I intend to leverage my expertise at the interface of nanotechnology, bioengineering, and materials science to develop next generation diagnostics and therapeutics for precision medicine within my independent research group.

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=E6kdUPgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao