Abilash Gangula, PhD

Abilash Gangula, PhD, is a researcher and assistant professor of radiology. His research bridges nanotechnology, cancer biology and translational diagnostics to address critical challenges in medicine and environmental health. His work focuses on engineering multifunctional nanovehicles for tumor-specific delivery of RNA therapeutics and chemotherapeutic agents, with an emphasis on enhancing payload stability, cellular uptake and immune modulation. These platforms are designed not only to overcome biological barriers, but also to interrogate resistance mechanisms that limit the efficacy of current cancer therapies.

Dr. Gangula is actively involved in uncovering molecular and immunological drivers of therapy resistance, particularly in the context of non-small cell lung cancer. His research integrates immuno-oncology principles with nanomaterial design to revitalize checkpoint blockade strategies and improve patient stratification. Parallel efforts in biosensor development aim to develop point-of-care and at-home diagnostic platforms, enabling early detection and personalized monitoring of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.

Beyond biomedical applications, Dr. Gangula’s work extends to environmental nanotechnology, where he designs catalytic nanomaterials for the degradation of persistent pollutants and sustainable water purification. His interdisciplinary approach combines materials chemistry, molecular biology and clinical insight to create solutions that are both mechanistically rigorous and translationally impactful.

With more than 15 years of research experience and publications in leading journals such as Bioactive Materials, Langmuir and Journal of Materials Chemistry, Dr. Gangula’s research fosters innovation at the interface of molecular engineering, clinical relevance and global health.