Two BME hires focus on fighting cancer

Twelve new faculty members began at the University of Arizona College of Engineering this academic year, with two at the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Assistant professors Swarna Ganesh and Alexander McGhee are focused on the Cancer Engineering Initiative, a universitywide effort to merge engineering and cancer research. They lend an engineering mindset to rapid development of individualized diagnostics and treatments.

Swarna Ganesh

Ganesh earned a PhD at Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, where she also completed a postdoctoral research fellowship funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Ganesh, co-author of 23 research publications and two patent applications, has executed several clinical projects, including a nano sensor for detecting cancer biomarkers and clinical assessment tools for monitoring brain metastases.

She chose the U of A for its strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, particularly in cancer engineering.

“The collaborative environment here, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, provides an ideal setting for advancing cancer research,” she said.

 Alexander McGhee

McGhee earned his PhD from the University of Florida and most recently was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a key collaborator in the U of A Cancer Engineering Initiative since January 2024, McGhee leverages 3D bioprinting and in vitro modeling techniques to advance personalized drug treatments.

He says the university offers unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary work that bridges the gap between biology-focused cancer research and biomedical engineering.

“My role is a direct result of this forward-thinking initiative aligning perfectly with the vision of my research. I am truly excited about the potential this collaboration holds for the future and the advancements we can achieve together,” said McGhee.