Claudia Fischbach-Teschl
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Microenvironmental conditions are critically important in tumor induction and progression, and mediate the establishment of metastases at preferential target sites. By exploring diversified tissue-engineered model systems and polymeric growth factor delivery strategies, Claudia Fischbach-Teschl’s research aims at elucidating microenvironmental events that currently impair the prognosis of cancer patients and to develop new drug delivery systems for more effective treatment of cancer. To this end, her research is focused on three main areas of interest: The first project addresses the capability of different stroma compartments to participate in the pathogenesis of cancer; the second project evaluates tumor cell metastasis to bone as a function of differential structural and biomechanical characteristics; and the third project engages in the development of microenvironment-inspired drug delivery systems for combination therapy for cancer. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the complex signaling networks underlying tumor malignancy and culminate in the identification of therapeutic targets and drug delivery technologies that may fundamentally change the way tumors are treated in the future.
Prior to joining the Cornell faculty Claudia Fischbach-Teschl conducted her postdoctoral work at Harvard University in the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Regensburg, Germany, and holds an M.S. in Pharmacy from Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Her graduate research was awarded the 2003 ‘Kulturpreis E.ON Bayern’ for outstanding dissertations.
Education
- Ph.D. 2003, Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
- M.S. 1998, Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
