Elizabeth Nance

Elizabeth’s research focuses on using nano-based and live-tissue imaging technologies to characterize the physiological and pathological processes that affect those suffering from neurological disorders. Her lab has a particular interest in developing these technologies for the neonatal or pediatric population due to the limited technology available to this demographic. Additionally, her lab engineers nanoparticle platforms for therapeutic application in clinically relevant animal models of brain disease, which can then be translated to human disease.

Her research explores ways in which we can utilize nanotechnology to focally control common brain disease hallmarks, such as inflammation, impaired fluid flow, and glutamate excitotoxicity, to improve neurological outcomes. Her long-term goal is to utilize nanotechnology in patients to give real-time information about the brain, and take advantage of those disease hallmarks to improve diagnosis and to direct therapy. She is an extensive collaborator in the neuroscience, neurology, and pediatric fields. Her passion is to find ways to more efficiently connect resources and information across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines. Thus far, Elizabeth’s career has been built on the guiding principle that these connections can be accomplished by establishing more effective communication, and asking questions in a less field-specific manner.

Elizabeth joined the University of Washington in September 2015 as the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, with an adjunct appointment in Radiology. Elizabeth received her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering with Dr. Justin Hanes. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, with a research emphasis in neuroscience, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.