2021 HENAAC Awards

A rising star at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, Dr. Christina L. Zavaleta has already made significant technical contributions to her field of Biomedical Engineering.

Described as a “force of nature,” Dr. Zavaleta’s achievements have opened-up new and exciting areas of research in optical imaging, including the utilization of an entirely new class of nanoparticle-based contrast agents. She has developed new imaging techniques like multiphoton luminescence as well, and she already has 8 patents granted or pending to her name.

Dr. Zavaleta’s work has had an immediate impact in the fight against cancer.  Her research has demonstrated how those nanoparticles can specifically target various cancer biomarkers and, once targeted, they can generate a signal that her imaging instrumentation can detect.

These novel molecular imaging strategies have shown much greater sensitivity and specificity than current techniques.  This has inspired new ways of detecting and fighting cancer at its earliest stages, and it has the potential to save innumerable lives. 

Growing up in an isolated border-town in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Zavaleta fell in love with science after winning an 8th grade regional science fair.  She originally planned to follow in her father’s footsteps as a medical doctor before deciding to pursue her Ph.D. in Radiological Sciences. 

Dr. Zavaleta is also actively involved in student outreach and has a passion for engaging and recruiting underserved students within her lab.  She currently has 2 doctoral students, 4 undergrads, and 3 high school students of Hispanic heritage under her mentorship.