Jennifer West

Jennifer West co-founded Nanospectra Biosciences in 2000, a company dedicated to developing groundbreaking cancer therapy utilizing gold nanoparticles for tumor cell therapy. Her pioneering work at Nanospectra garnered international recognition, earning her a spot on MIT Technology Review’s 2003 list of 100 most innovative young scientists and engineers worldwide. After earning her Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin in 1996, Dr.

West joined Rice University’s faculty. As an associate professor in bioengineering and chemical engineering, her research focused on gene therapy, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. She was awarded the Julia Mile Chance Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2002 and was a co-recipient of the Best Discovery of 2003 Award from Nanotechnology Now in 2004. In 2007, she was appointed chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University, also holding the Isabel C.

Cameron Professorship of Bioengineering and directing Rice’s Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering. Dr. West’s impactful contributions continued to be recognized, earning her the O’Donnell Award in Engineering in 2008 and the State Bar Inventors of the Year in 2010. She received numerous accolades in 2012, including the Frank Annunzio, Duncan, Admiral of the Texas Navy, Hershel M.

In recognition of her profound contributions to photothermal and theranostic therapies and bioabsorbed scaffolds for tissue regeneration, Dr. West was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2016. The following year, in 2017, she was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. Her innovative research has culminated in 20 patents, licensed by ten companies and demonstrating commercial impact.

In 2023, she was inducted as a Member of the National Academy of Medicine and holds ongoing appointments as an HHMI Professor, further underscoring her sustained influence and leadership within the scientific community.