Dr Lei Zhu

Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr. Lei Zhu, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Emory University and a member of the Winship Cancer Institute. He is a translational scientist with expertise in nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and tumor biology. His research focuses on the development of bioactive nanoparticle systems for targeted cancer therapy and imaging.

Dr. Zhu’s work centers on engineering a diverse range of nanoparticle-based platforms that enable precise delivery of therapeutic agents to both tumor cells and stromal components, thereby improving treatment efficacy and overcoming resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. His research integrates redox biology, tumor metabolism, and immune modulation to develop multifunctional nanotherapeutics that reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity.

Dr. Zhu’s group has advanced multiple stroma-penetrating and immunomodulatory nanomedicines toward clinical translation, supported by NIH R01, SBIR, and STTR funding, including projects aimed at IND-enabling development for pancreatic and other solid tumors. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Zhu is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of MIGRA Therapeutics, where he leads efforts to translate nanoparticle-based cancer therapies into clinical applications.

Dr. Zhu has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles and holds multiple patents in nanotechnology and cancer therapeutics. He serves as an associate editor and guest editor for several journals and is an active reviewer for leading journals and NIH study sections. His research aims to bridge fundamental discoveries with clinical applications, advancing next-generation nanomedicine strategies to improve outcomes for patients with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers.

Updated 20 March 2026