Special Interests:
Neuro-Oncology
AAV Gene Therapy
Focused Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery
Education and Training
Dr. Christina von Roemeling earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Mayo Clinic in 2019, specializing in Cancer Cell Biology. Her dissertation research was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, where she applied multidisciplinary approaches, including nanomedicine, chemotherapy, and targeted immunotherapy, to the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Following completion of her PhD, she pursued her postdoctoral training at the University of Florida Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, where she advanced her expertise in immuno-gene therapy and translational neuro-oncology.
Research Overview
Dr. von Roemeling joined the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida as an Assistant Professor in 2023, bringing over 15 years of translational research experience focused on developing targeted and immunologic therapies for pediatric and adult brain malignancies. Her laboratory within the Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy centers on two principal research areas: (1) applying low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to enhance the delivery and distribution of therapeutic agents in brain tumors, and (2) leveraging bioengineering strategies, including recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and small molecule inhibitors, to reprogram the tumor-immune microenvironment and improve responsiveness to immunotherapy.
By integrating expertise in molecular cancer biology, nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, and drug development, her team aims to address major barriers in brain tumor treatment, such as poor immune infiltration and limited therapeutic penetration. They employ LIFU-mediated blood–brain barrier disruption and advanced delivery platforms to optimize therapeutic biodistribution, while also developing immunomodulatory approaches to reverse tumor-induced immune suppression. In parallel, her laboratory uses high-resolution spectral three-dimensional imaging of cleared tissue specimens to spatially map the tumor microenvironment, providing insights into biophysical barriers and predictive biomarkers of treatment response.
Together, these efforts are directed toward translating innovative therapeutic strategies into clinically meaningful advances for patients with devastating brain cancers.