Engineering powerful new technologies for a healthier future

Dr. Steven Jonas is at the forefront of research at the intersection of medicine and engineering, helping create life-saving new treatments.

Jonas, a UCLA physician-scientist specializing in pediatric oncology, is a leader in nanoscience research and gene-editing whose multidisciplinary approach has advanced regenerative medicine and childhood cancer treatments. A member of the California NanoSystems Institute and the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jonas specializes in designing safe and cost-effective gene therapy approaches that address some of the most pressing threats to public health. 

Among his contributions, Jonas helped develop genetically engineered cells that treat people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The NIH supported Jonas with one of the nation's most prestigious federal grants, in recognition of his innovative biomedical research. The five-year $1.25 million award enabled him to continue his pioneering work in gene-editing and cellular therapies. It’s not the only major grant he’s received.

In 2025, Jonas received a $400,000 grant to support his extensive work in pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors. His research examined a new liquid biopsy test that uses nanotechnology to analyze childhood cancer without the need for painful and invasive surgeries. This strategy helps doctors better understand how tumors function to adjust treatments more accurately and efficiently.

“This generous and consistent support goes beyond the dollars. It gives researchers the freedom to innovate, and it gives patients and families hope that tomorrow’s treatments will be better than today’s,” Jonas said.

Outside of his leadership in oncology, Jonas helped develop a new treatment for cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder that causes chronic infections and severe organ damage. Although there have been some advancements in treating the disease, many current medications don’t work for every patient and can cost millions of dollars over time. With support from UCLA’s Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Jonas and his team sought to address the root cause of the condition – developing a new one-time treatment delivered through a simple inhalable mist.

“Think of it like an Amazon delivery,” Jonas said of the gene-editing machinery, which reaches lung stem cells by harnessing the power of lipid nanoparticles as carriers.

This inhalable gene therapy is yet another example of Jonas’ work in technology and public health. As a scientist and engineer, Jonas bridges the gap between nanoscience and medicine to address real-world clinical problems.

“As a physician, I see firsthand that there is a need for new tools to really move forward with how we treat and manage our patients’ conditions,” Jonas said.

With federal support, Jonas can continue to lead these multidisciplinary endeavors – engineering powerful new technologies for a healthier future.