Yansong (Harry) Peng, a biomedical engineering doctoral candidate, was selected as a recipient of a 2024-25 International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) Graduate Fellowship for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science to pursue biomedical research using bioengineered microsystems rather than animal test subjects.

Credit: Provided

Using “organ-on-a-chip” technology and a tissue engineering approach, Peng studies how tumors block lymphatic vessels, or drainage pathways, to further the development of predictive, patient-specific cancer models that can improve both drug screening and treatment outcomes.

“The bioengineered tumor models can reduce reliance on animal testing while providing insights into cancer-immune interactions,” he said. “This work supports the development of more effective cancer immunotherapies and helps bridge the gap between preclinical studies and clinical trials, ultimately advancing personalized and precision medicine.”

Read more on the Graduate School website.