Rao Lab
Harnessing biomaterials and tissue engineering technologies to target the tumor microenvironment across the macro-, micro- and nano-scales
The Rao Lab at Seattle Children’s Research Institute leverages biomaterials and tissue engineering technologies to create advanced 3D models of pediatric tumors, enabling the study of cell-matrix interactions that drive chemoresistance to identify novel therapeutic targets. Our work sits at the intersection of cancer biology and bioengineering, where we design innovative New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to advance therapeutic strategies across macro-, micro- and nano-scales. Located in the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, we thrive in a multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.
Our primary research goals are:
- Modeling the tumor microenvironment by developing 3D models of pediatric cancers
- Engineering patient-derived organoids
- Understanding cell-matrix interactions and how they guide chemoresistance
The Rao Lab strives to foster the next generation of scientists, physicians and physician-scientists by creating a welcoming environment, advancing translatable science and enabling collaboration.
Funding Sources
- Seattle Children's Research Institute - Excellence in New Research New Investigator Award
- MIB Agents OutSmarting Osteosarcoma Young Investigator Hope Award 2025
- Kuni Foundation Discovery Grant for Cancer Research (Co-Investigator with Lawlor and Price labs)
- Kuni Foundation Imagination Grant for Cancer Research
- Hyundai Hope on Wheels Young Investigator Grant
3D Modeling of Pediatric Cancers
We engineer biomaterial-based three-dimensional models that recreate the pediatric tumor microenvironment to better understand disease progression and accelerate the development of more effective therapies.
Patient-derived Organoids
Using patient-derived organoids, we build clinically relevant models that preserve tumor heterogeneity and enable personalized studies of cancer biology and therapeutic response.
Cell-Matrix Interactions and Chemoresistance
We investigate how the extracellular matrix regulates tumor cell behavior and drug response, uncovering microenvironmental mechanisms that drive chemoresistance in pediatric cancers.
Ram Rao, MD, PhD
Rameshwar (Ram) Rao, MD, PhD, is the first faculty member in the Ben Towne Center to be funded through the Seattle Children’s Research Institute Excellence in Research New Investigator Award, a career development program that supports faculty with backgrounds underrepresented in science, including those with disabilities — a community to which he proudly belongs.
Dr. Rao is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist. Dr. Rao received his MD (2017) and PhD in Biomedical Engineering (2013) at the University of Michigan. He fast-tracked his Pediatrics residency at UCLA (2020) through the American Board of Pediatrics and completed his clinical fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Stanford University (2024). He is deeply committed to training the next generation of physicians and scientists and aims to create an inclusive environment that fosters belonging.
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Andrew Lu
Undergraduate Researcher
Andrew Lu is a second-year student intending to major in Bioengineering at the University of Washington. He plans to pursue a career in medicine with the goal of becoming a physician.
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Haley Neumiller
Research Technician I
Haley holds a BS in Bioengineering from the University of Washington. Her research centers on developing hydrogels using various biomaterials with the goal of modeling sarcoma and cellular environments.
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Avery Nguyen
Undergraduate Researcher
Avery is a senior at the University of Washington studying bioengineering, with interests in oncology and biomaterials. Her work in the Rao Lab focuses on studying how the mechanical properties of collagen-based hydrogels influence osteosarcoma cell behavior and chemotherapy resistance.
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Nikolaos Pipis, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Pipis holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida (2025), an MS from the University of Washington (2021) and a BSc from University College London (2020). His work focuses on designing, fabricating and characterizing hydrogels and ECM-mimetic biomaterials to develop 3D tissue-engineered tumor models with translational relevance.
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Sriya Sagi, MS
Research Scientist I
Sriya graduated with an MS in Bioengineering from the University of Washington. She studies osteosarcoma using collagen-based 3D hydrogel models, examining cell-cell and cell-matrix signaling across early- and late-stage disease through imaging, mechanical analysis, cell viability assays and drug response studies.
Gisele Charpentier, BS
Research Technician I
Gisele graduated with a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Washington. In the Rao Lab, she developed 3D tissue-engineered models of osteosarcoma to study how cell-matrix interactions contribute to chemoresistance, with the goal of uncovering matrix-driven mechanisms that reduce treatment efficacy. She is currently a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan.
Ryan Hsi
Undergraduate Researcher
Ryan is an undergraduate student at Brown University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and an aspiring physician.
Mackenzie Burr
Undergraduate Researcher
Mackenzie is a medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine and is hoping to practice in Pediatrics or Obstetrics/Gynecology.
Advocacy, Belonging, Leadership, Empowerment
Central to our mission is to foster a culture of wellbeing, championing Advocacy, Belonging, Leadership and Empowerment (ABLE) to support the next generation of physicians, scientists and innovators.
Nikolaos brings a broad perspective shaped by experiences across the medical device industry, academia, military and community service-oriented environments. He is deeply committed to mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaborations, viewing them as core responsibilities of leadership. He currently serves as Co-Secretary of the Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Advisory Committee, where he works to foster a sense of belonging and advocacy and to help build a supportive foundation for trainees as he advances to the next stage of his scientific career.
Sriya is part of the Ben Towne Center’s Social Committee, where she helps organize inclusive events that celebrate diversity and foster community. Outside the lab, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, hiking, exploring new countries and learning about their cultures.
Haley grew up in 4-H raising livestock and riding horses. She is a student leader with the University of Washington’s GoBabyGo project, where she works with families to provide free, customized mobility devices for young children with disabilities. This hands-on experience has reaffirmed her plan to attend medical school in the future.
Avery is a student-athlete on the University of Washington Women’s Soccer Team and volunteers at Blessed Sacrament, serving hot meals to underprivileged communities. She aspires to pursue a career in medicine.
