Maneesha Rajora, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
MD/PhD Candidate
Country of Origin: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Pre-PhD Education: B.Sc. Chemistry (Honours), M.A.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
Recent Research Experience: I recently completed my M.A.Sc. in 2013, under the supervision of Dr. Paul Santerre, in which I developed oligo-urethanes to be applied as anti-proliferative drug-eluting catheter coatings.
Current Research Experience:
After completing my M.A.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, I entered the MD/PhD program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 2013, where I am currently conducting the PhD component of the program within the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. My PhD research is centred around the application of organic nanoparticles as high-density lipoprotein (also known as the “good cholesterol”) mimetic theranostic agents. More specifically, I aim to take advantage of the biomimetic nature of these particles, in conjunction with focused ultrasound, to develop potential nanotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease and glioma in preclinical disease models.
Future Education Plans and/or Career Goals:
Over the course of my MD/PhD program, I hope to attain skills that will aid me in the pursuit of my goal of becoming a clinician-scientist conducting research in the field of biomaterials. Towards this end, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto was the ideal program choice in Canada to pursue an MD/PhD. The Faculty has a history of excellence in both medical education and biomedical research, and is a leader in the field of biomaterials and biomedical engineering.