Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez

Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez’s research focuses on engineering precision cell and gene therapies for regenerative medicine. To achieve this, Prof. Gonzalez-Fernandez integrates CRISPR gene editing tools with deep learning-based modeling and biomaterials engineering. The Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez Lab (The TGF Lab) focuses on three interconnected areas: (1) applying synthetic biology tools such as CRISPR gene editing and epigenetic editing to engineer precision stem cell products with improved therapeutic capacity, (2) developing deep learning models for rational CRISPR target discovery and predictive cell reprogramming, and (3) designing biomaterial-based delivery systems for spatiotemporally and stimuli-responsive controlled gene editing in vivo and ex vivo.

 

Tomas received his PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in 2018 from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) under the supervision of Prof. Daniel Kelly and Prof. Fergal O’Brien. His PhD work focused on integrating non-viral gene deliveryand 3D bioprinting for the spatial control of gene expression and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) differentiation and the recapitulation of biochemical gradients found in native tissues. After completing his PhD, Tomas joined the Leach lab at the University of California Davis to explore biomaterial functionalization with extracellular matrix components to direct MSC function and promote the repair of critically sized bone defects. During his postdoc, Tomas was awarded an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship to investigate the relationship between innervation and vascularization in diabetic wound repair, and he was selected as a Rising Star in Engineering in Health by Columbia University.

 

Since joining Lehigh in 2022, Tomas has been recognized with the NSF CAREER Award, the NSF Engineering Research Initiation Award, the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Career Development Award, the BMES Young Pioneer in Drug Delivery Award, and the Frank Hook Assistant Professorship for excellence in student mentoring.

 

In addition to his research, Tomas is actively involved with the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), where he chairs the Biofabrication Thematic Interest Working Group. He is also passionate about science communication and shares his lab’s research and educational content through his YouTube channel, @ProfTGF.