Meet the Team
Xiao Huang, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University
Email: xh324@drexel.edu
Xiao Huang received his PhD degree in Chemistry and Materials at UC Santa Barbara in 2016. There he worked on the spatial control of gene regulation in human embryonic stem cells through light-responsive nanomaterials. He went on to conduct his postdoctoral research at UC San Francisco, working at the interface between biomaterials and immune engineering. One highlight from his work is the development of robust chemistry to surface-functionalize biocompatible materials with exquisite precision for applications in immune modulation. To date, he has published major work in journals including Nat. Nanotechnol., Nat. Protoco., Adv. Mater., ACS Nano, Nano letters, etc.. In 2022, he received the BWF BioInterfaces Rising Star Award.
Marguerite Emrich
PhD Student
My research focuses on leveraging biomaterials to enhance the expansion and function of CAR-T cells, a promising therapeutic approach for immune-related diseases. Prior to joining the BMES program, I worked as a Senior Scientist on the Cell Therapy team at Johnson & Johnson. I received my MS in Pharmacology and Physiology from Drexel University College of Medicine and my BS in Chemistry from Villanova University. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing with my dogs, reading, and traveling.
Binlong Chen
PhD Student
My research interest focuses on using precision materials engineering to stimulate T cells and gain fundamental understandings about cell signaling. Before joining the program, I obtained my Master's degree from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, where I worked on constructing drug-targeted nano-delivery systems for anti-tumor applications. In my spare time, I enjoy cycling, watching movies, and listening to music.
Qinghe Zeng
PhD Student
I propose to use multifunctional biomaterials to “train” T cells to excel in the suppressive environments. Before joining the program, I did my master's thesis in the Chinese Academy of Sciences – Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica from 2018 to 2022, working on cancer metabolisms and targeted therapeutics. In my spare time, I love going on bike rides, watching movies, and tuning into talk shows.
Pratishtha Guckhool
PhD Student
My research interests lie at the intersection of bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology, focusing on understanding the factors that drive CAR-T cell fate decisions through gene regulatory network analysis. Prior to joining the PhD program, I worked as a bioinformatician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where I contributed to the Giotto tool, an open-source platform for spatial transcriptomics analysis. I also received my BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, cooking, and practicing yoga and pilates.
Samuel Mottershead
PhD Student
My research interest focuses on utilizing biomaterials to improve T cell expansion and function, with the goal of improving T cell therapies. Before joining the lab, I obtained my BS in biochemistry from Glasgow University. In my spare time I enjoy exercising, watching movies, and traveling.
Nikolai Przybylski
Undergraduate Student
My research interest involves engineering CAR T cells using light-activated nanoparticles with CRISPR functionalities. As a Biomedical Engineering major, I struggled to find a direction until learning about Immunology. Now, I plan on pursuing a PhD in this field after my undergraduate studies. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, rock climbing, and playing the piano.
Landon Flemming
Undergraduate Student
My research interest is to understand T cell behavior through analysis of single cell RNA sequencing data. I am a computer engineering student that’s fascinated in the intersection of data analysis and immunology. In my free time I enjoy building electronics, playing the cello, and exercising.
Leon Zhang
Undergraduate Student
My research interests focus on precision immune engineering, particularly the application of biomaterials to modulate innate immune signaling pathways. I am eager to explore how engineering approaches can train the immune system to achieve enhanced therapeutic outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, working out, and watching movies.
Daniel Lao
Summer High School Intern
My research interests lie at the intersection of machine learning and cancer immunotherapy, especially understanding how T cells can be engineered to better recognize and eliminate tumors. I am particularly fascinated by the connection between computational biology and experimental immunology. In the future, I hope to continue exploring personalized immunotherapies and the role of computational approaches in their development. In my free time, I enjoy debate, tennis, cooking, and mentoring younger students in STEM.
Lab alumni
Dennis Hao Deng
Jiayang Dong
Eliot Raynor
Riana Ramani
Eshel Ahmad
Nikolai Przybylski
Omkar Katkade