CIIDI Distinguished Lecture SERIES
The Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Diseases, and Immunity emphasizes its interprofessional relationships by hosting annual Speakers Series events. The CIIDI invites all interested parties, including faculty, students, and staff, to informative guest lectures to bring together a diverse body of researchers for both informational purposes and collaborative opportunities.
Past Events
Save the Date: Invited Speaker, Dr. Kevin Byram/CIIDI Member Meeting
Celebrating a decade of research excellence.Invited Speaker: Dr. Kevin Byram and CIIDI Annual Member MeetingTuesday, September 23, 2025 11:30 AM -12:30 PMStanton-Gerber Hall, Large Auditorium (C023)Lunch by Jeremiah Cafe served at 11:15 |
Celebrating a decade of research excellence.
New Faculty Seminar Mohammad Hajipour, PhD"Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Disease Diagnosis and Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities" October 1, 2025 Bishop Hall, VA 60; Ground Floor Lecture Hall Lunch Served at 11:45 AM; Seminar 12 PM-1 PM Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as powerful tools for disease diagnosis and therapy. Their small size enables them to cross biological barriers, making them highly attractive carriers for targeted drug and diagnostic delivery, as well as gene editing. Despite this promise, and although many NP-based systems are currently in clinical trials, only a limited number have reached clinical use. A major challenge lies in hidden factors at the nano–bio interface that profoundly influence their behavior in vivo. The main challenge is the formation of a protein corona—a layer of biomolecules that adsorbs onto the NP surface upon exposure to biological fluids. It changes the physicochemical properties of NPs, giving them a new biological identity distinct from their original synthetic design, which in turn impacts their biodistribution, circulation time, and targeting efficacy. Understanding how the protein corona shapes NP interactions with cells and tissues is essential for advancing nanomedicine from the bench to the clinic. In this presentation, I will discuss my previous research on nanoparticle–protein interactions and their effects on therapeutic performance and disease diagnosis, as well as recent studies showcasing the application of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in drug delivery. These insights highlight the importance of designing nanoparticles with precisely controlled nano–bio interface properties to improve their clinical translation. Dr. Hajipour has recently joined Dr. Zhi Q. Yao's lab as an assistant professor of research in the Department of Internal Medicine. His focus will be on LNP-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9/Cas12 for HIV/HBV gene therapy. He will establish a nanomedicine and drug delivery lab/facility and will collaborate with CIIDI members in nanotechnology. Sponsored by the Paul Dishner Chair of Excellence in Medicine |
