BME PhD Student

(Year joined: 2025)

Contact: 

gberniac@u.northwestern.edu

What I do: 

Hi! I'm Gaby, a fourth-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering. My research focuses on engineering cytokine-based therapeutics to modulate the immune system for diseases including atherosclerosis and breast cancer.

In atherosclerosis, I am investigating whether fusing serum albumin (SA) to Dr. Volpatti's LDL-binding 2D03-IL-10 (2D03-SA-IL-10) can extend circulation time and help further reduce inflammation associated with the disease. I am also evaluating a subcutaneous delivery route to improve clinical translatability.

In breast cancer, I am collaborating with Dr. Huiping Liu's lab, which studies circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters that drive metastasis by evading the immune system. The Liu lab identified Plexin-B2 (PB2), a transmembrane protein found on both CTCs and monocytes. We leveraged PB2 to engineer an anti-PB2-GM-CSF fusion protein that delivers the pro-inflammatory cytokine GM-CSF to PB2+ CTCs and monocytes.

Interests:

Research: Protein engineering

Recreational: I love film (AMC A lister here 😎), exploring different cuisines, going to concerts, thrifting, and am trying to check out as many jazz/live music spots in the city as I can!