Lab Team

Ph.D. in Materials Physics and Chemistry with a specialization in Nanotechnology. Expertise in molecular imaging and ultra-small Cornell Prime Dot (C'Dot) technologies developed through post-doctoral training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and translational research work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Led Formulation/Platform development at Elucida Oncology (a clinical-stage biotechnology company) and was a key contributor to the FDA IND clearance of ELU001 (anti-human folate receptor alpha Nanoparticle-Drug Conjugates, NDC). Advanced the C’Dot diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and co-invented 6 patents. Now serve as an Instructor of Materials Physics at Weill Cornell Medicine's Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute. Google Scholar Publication Link.

Immunotherapy, Cellular Immunotherapeutics, Nanomaterials

Dr. DeLeon earned his Ph.D. in Immunology from the Duke University where he developed multicomponent peptide vaccines targeting human cytomegalovirus (CMV), specifically assessing the feasibility of a personalized CMV vaccine for treating glioblastoma (GBM). As part of his post-doctoral training at Duke in the Department of Neurosurgery/Division of Applied Theranostics, he studied the utility of employing platforms to study innate immune adaptor proteins (MAVS and STING) that could reprogram immunologically silent tumors into immunologically responsive malignancies. This was followed by a second fellowship in the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry at North Carolina State University to elucidate molecular mechanisms underpinning the role of innate immune proteins involved in oncogenesis and viral infections. Dr. DeLeon joined Dr. Bradbury’s laboratory to advance next generation nanoparticles (C’ dots) and other engineered cellular engineered products to the clinic as part of combinatorial strategies to overcome suppression in solid tumor microenvironments.

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cellular Immuno & Microbial Therapeutics, Nanomaterials

Dr. Siddiqui obtained his MPhil (Nottingham University) and Ph.D. (University of Cincinnati) in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Prior to his doctoral work, he worked as a pharmacist with an interest in designing and developing “smart” insulin delivery systems. His doctoral work focused on the development of a 64Cu-based PET imaging probe for specific detection of bacteria in vivo by targeting a distinct metal transport pathway. Utilization of non-pathogenic strains of E. coli, genetically-encoded for overexpressing a metal transporter, were also used to facility delivery of 67Cu to solid tumors as part of a targeted radiotherapy paradigm. He joined Dr. Bradbury's lab with the goal of developing novel bioimaging and precision engineered cellular/microbial systems for interrogating and treating diseased microenvironments.

Medicine, Oncology, Immunology, Nanomaterials

Dr. Zhang earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Medical Science at the China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning. He then pursued a Residency in General Surgery and served as an Attending Surgeon at the Third Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. He has held research positions at The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto), University Health Network (Ontario Cancer Institute), the Rockefeller University (Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology), Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Transplant Service) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Zhang joined Dr. Bradbury’s laboratory to assist with preclinical and/or clinical studies focused on modulating immune suppressive tumor microenvironments, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and improving pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of particle tracers. He has expertise in animal breeding, molecular imaging, and analysis of biological specimens.

Dr. Pourbaghi is an interdisciplinary researcher specializing in nanomedicine, oncology, biomaterials, medical devices, and AI. His work focuses on innovative healthcare solutions, enhancing patient outcomes through advanced technologies.

Biomedical Engineering

Ms Padmanhaban received her B.E. in Biomedical Engineering with Honors from Vanderbilt University in 2023, as well as pursued a second major in Communication of Science and Technology and a Neuroscience minor. At Vanderbilt University, Reethi analyzed the migration of breast cancer subpopulations in simulated primary tumor and fluid shear stress conditions. She also received a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and MD Anderson Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) Summer Internship to study factors limiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer cells.

Ms. Kashyap is the Laboratory Manager of MI3. She specifically manages all laboratory activities and orders, as well as assists the Program and Administrative Coordinator with other tasks needed to efficiently run programmatic initiative.

Ms. Wood is a Program and Administrative Coordinator who assists the MI3 Director with the advancement of laboratory and programmatic initiatives. She specifically assists with the planning and coordination of new programmatic initiatives for MI3, monitors implementation of program policies and practices, monitors program benchmarks, supports programmatic growth and development, coordinates program communications.

Organic / Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Nanomaterials

Dr. Yoo received his M.S. in Biology and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from New York University. He has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, first in the Organic Synthesis Core, and then as a fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Michelle Bradbury where he designed and synthesized new multi-component macromolecules, including ultrasmall nanoparticle drug conjugates, as well as developed analytical chromatographic and mass spectrometry approaches for product characterization. His goal is to engineer newer generation immunotherapeutic and nano-immunoconjugate platforms for cancer treatment.