Daniel Levy, PhD

I am a dedicated bioengineer specializing in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies using extracellular vesicles (EVs). I completed my PhD in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Jay. My doctoral research focused on harnessing the therapeutic potential of EVs, particularly through the delivery of bioactive non-coding RNAs such as miRNA and lncRNA, to enhance EV therapeutic efficacy.

My research journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, where I developed a strong foundation in biomedical principles. I then pursued a Master of Science in Bioengineering at Santa Clara University, where my thesis work centered on engineering nanovesicles for enzyme replacement therapy in lysosomal storage diseases. This project laid the groundwork for several influential journal publications and deepened my expertise in protein delivery systems. During my PhD at the University of Maryland, I designed and executed experiments to assess the translational and therapeutic potential of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived EVs in regenerative medicine applications. For example, I described an anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory mechanism of iPSC-derived EVs in promoting wound repair in diabetic models. In addition this work, I have significant experience in teaching and laboratory management. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Maryland, I prepared course materials and lectured on modeling physiological systems. At Santa Clara University, I served as the Department Laboratory Manager, overseeing the bioengineering department's facilities, supporting faculty and students, and managing large-scale laboratory relocations.

I am also proficient in a variety of technical skills, including mammalian cell culture, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular cloning, and programming languages such as Matlab, C, and Python. I was awarded several fellowships and awards, including the Clark Doctoral Fellowship, an NIH T32 Host-Pathogen Interactions training grant award, and Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship. Currently, in the McManus lab, I aim to leverage synthetic biology techniques to develop novel intercellular communication tools, continuing my quest to push the boundaries of bioengineering and therapeutic innovation.