President’s Frontier Award: 2025 Recipient and Finalists

Jamie Spangler, associate professor of biomedical engineering and chemical & biomolecular engineering, is a molecular immunoengineer, translational innovator, and nationally recognized leader whose work is transforming how we understand and modulate the immune system. A pioneer in the design of synthetic cytokines, antibodies, and growth factors, Dr. Spangler has helped define the field of molecular immunoengineering through structure-guided strategies that allow for unprecedented precision in controlling immune responses. Her research bridges fundamental insight and therapeutic potential, advancing technologies that hold promise for cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune and infectious disease treatment, and tissue regeneration.

Driven by a commitment to expanding what is scientifically possible, Dr. Spangler builds molecules and protein platforms that do not exist in nature yet achieve biological plausibility—unlocking mechanisms and therapeutic strategies inaccessible through conventional biology. Her innovations already influence pharmaceutical R&D pipelines, including a licensed patent supporting autoimmune drug development and technologies under active industry negotiation. Recognized as a “once-in-a-generation scientist,” she is celebrated for combining creativity with mechanistic rigor, shaping the biomolecular design community, and fostering collaborative teams that accelerate discovery.

Beyond her scientific contributions, Dr. Spangler is a dedicated mentor and educator whose trainees go on to impactful careers in academia and industry. She is also deeply engaged in expanding access to STEM education for Baltimore youth, reinforcing her belief that scientific discovery must advance both knowledge and opportunity.

With support from this award, Dr. Spangler aims to propel her lab into the next frontier of immune engineering by developing next-generation therapeutic modalities—including antibody–drug conjugates, engineered immune cell therapies, programmable delivery systems, and protein-based tools for tissue regeneration. Her long-term vision is to build a transformative platform for designing immune-modulating molecules that redefine the therapeutic landscape and open new avenues for treating human disease.