Will Blackledge

Background

About Will Blackledge

I am a Ph.D student in Biomedical Engineering at NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. My research lies at the intersection of microphysiological systems engineering and the tumor microenvironment (TME). I strive to understand the dynamic biological roles of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes and how CAFs systematically worsen cancer, within vascularized microfluidic models of the TME.I am highly motivated to use my extensive knowledge in microfluidic technology to advance New Approach Methodologies into viable clinical platforms for complex diseases. In addition, I am a well-versed scientific communicator across a breath of contexts, including undergraduate mentoring, classroom lecturing, and wide-reaching poster and podium presentations at national conferences.Microfluidic device technology has the potential to transform complex disease modeling, and allow for the development of breakthrough cancer treatments. I would love to connect with industry professionals and academic researchers within the fields of microfluidic device fabrication, immunology, and cancer engineering!