Tania Lopez-Silva

Dr. Tania Lopez-Silva is a postdoctoral fellow in the Chemical Biology Laboratory at the National Cancer Institute, NCI, where she specializes in the design of self-assembling peptide biomaterials for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy applications.

Academic Background

Dr. Lopez-Silva earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. She completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Rice University in 2020, working under the mentorship of Professor Jeffrey Hartgerink. Her doctoral research focused on developing peptide-based hydrogels for tissue regeneration and immune modulation.

Research Focus

At the NCI, Dr. Lopez-Silva's research centers on the development of self-assembling peptide hydrogels that can modulate immune responses and promote tissue regeneration. Her work aims to create biomaterials that interact with the immune system to enhance healing processes and improve therapeutic outcomes in diseases such as cancer and nerve injuries.

Notable Contributions

Dr. Lopez-Silva has significantly advanced the field of biomaterials through her development of peptide hydrogels that facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration and modulate immune responses. Her innovative approaches have led to the creation of materials that can be injected and form structures in situ, promoting healing without the need for additional drugs or cells.

Awards and Honors

In recognition of her outstanding research, Dr. Lopez-Silva received the 2025 Fellows Award for Research Excellence from the National Institutes of Health. She was also honored with the Harry B. Weiser Leadership Award for her contributions to the graduate student community and was a recipient of the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología Fellowship during her graduate studies.

Professional Engagements

Beyond her research, Dr. Lopez-Silva actively participates in scientific outreach and mentorship. She has presented her work at various conferences and seminars, contributing to the broader scientific discourse on biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Her commitment to advancing science extends to mentoring emerging scientists in the field.

Through her interdisciplinary research and dedication to scientific advancement, Dr. Tania Lopez-Silva continues to make significant contributions to the development of innovative biomaterials for therapeutic applications.