Meet Nishta Krishnan

Tell us a bit about your background:

I grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and have always had a deep curiosity for science and innovation. During my undergraduate degree at UC San Diego, I was introduced to nanotechnology, which opened my eyes to the incredible potential of nanomaterials, particularly in healthcare. I was fortunate to join Professor Liangfang Zhang's lab, where I discovered my passion for cell membrane coating technology. Continuing in the Zhang lab, my graduate research focuses on developing nanoscale systems that can more effectively deliver payloads to target cells, thus offering a more precise and efficient approach to treatment. I am especially excited by how we can engineer nanoparticles with specific biological functions to address real-world therapeutic challenges. Alongside the research, the supportive and collaborative environment in the Zhang lab has made a lasting impact on me. I am eager to continue learning, both from the people around me and through the cutting-edge work that we do. At UC San Diego, I have been able to dive deeper into research that has a tangible impact on cancer treatments, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the growing field of nanomedicine!

What are you studying/researching?

I am a fifth-year Nano Engineering Ph.D. student in Prof. Liangfang Zhang's lab, where my research focuses on developing the next generation of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CNPs). Cell membrane coating technology allows us to create biomimetic nanoparticles that leverage the natural properties of cell membranes and enhance biocompatibility, enable immune evasion, and improve targeting specificity. In my work, I use genetic engineering to enhance the functionality of these CNPs. For example, by modifying the cell membranes to express a specific anchor component, we can attach targeting ligands to introduce additional capabilities. These modular CNPs have been used to significantly improve the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapeutic payloads in tumor models. This interdisciplinary work also lays the foundation for next-generation therapies, including CNP vaccines, which can be used in immunological approaches to prevent various diseases.

Tell me a little bit about your campus involvement at UC San Diego. 

At UC San Diego, I currently serve as the President of the Jacobs Graduate Student Council (JGSC), where I lead initiatives to improve graduate student welfare, such as mental health workshops and industry mentorship programs. I also mentor junior graduate and undergraduate students, both in the lab and through programs like JUMP and GradAMP, helping them navigate research and graduate school. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time at the beach and rock climbing!

Have you been awarded any fellowships or grants during graduate school? If so, which ones?

 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), Siebel Scholar.