Michael Mak

Dr. Mak's goal is to uncover the fundamental cell mechanics of cancer metastasis in order to provide insights towards novel anti-metastasis therapeutics. To achieve this, he is creating complementary experimental and computational platforms that can probe deeply into the multiscale mechanobiology of cancer cells. By exploring the biochemical and biomechanical signaling and feedback that regulate the mechanical state of cancer cells, such as their viscoelasticity and internal stresses, he will gain insights toward the factors and their mechanisms that lead to phenotypes that are conducive to invasive behavior. With his expertise in computational modeling of the mechanical properties of cells and developing experimental and microfluidic systems for studying cancer cell invasion dynamics, Dr. Mak seeks to overcome the hurdles of treating metastatic cancer.