Biography

Dr. Traverso is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in the Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Harvard Medical School. Dr. Traverso grew up in Peru, Canada and the United Kingdom. He received his BA from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK, and his PhD from the lab of Prof. Bert Vogelstein at Johns Hopkins University. He subsequently completed medical school at the University of Cambridge, internal medicine residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and his gastroenterology fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital, both at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Traverso’s previous work focused on the development of novel molecular tests for the early detection of colon cancer which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. This work was licensed to Exact Sciences and led to the development of the FDA-approved non-invasive test Cologuard for colon cancer screening. For his post-doctoral research, he worked in the laboratory of Professor Robert Langer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he developed a series of novel technologies for drug delivery as well as physiological sensing via the gastrointestinal tract.

Currently, Dr. Traverso's research program, in collaboration with the L4TE team and other partners, spans a wide range of innovative areas in biomedicine and engineering. The lab's work encompasses the development of advanced biomaterials for delivering small molecules, macromolecular therapeutics including nucleic acids, and cell therapies. A significant focus is placed on creating ingestible devices for electroceutical applications, covering both therapeutic and diagnostic indications.

The team is also at the forefront of synthesizing and characterizing new biodegradable and bioresorbable materials, as well as developing ultra-long drug delivery systems to maximize adherence across various medical conditions. Stem cell research, with an emphasis on delivery and control challenges, forms another key area of investigation.

Dr. Traverso's lab addresses critical translational challenges, including pre-clinical and first-in-human characterization of novel drug delivery and sensing modalities. They are leveraging machine learning tools to inform next-generation solutions for drug formulation and delivery. Additionally, the team is pioneering the creation of implantable and ingestible robotic systems capable of identifying unique signals and providing therapeutic interventions, supporting closed-loop interventions.

To support these diverse research streams, the lab develops ex vivo and in vitro tissue models to study drug transport and tissue behavior. This multifaceted approach positions Dr. Traverso's team at the cutting edge of biomedical innovation, working to transform patient care through advanced drug delivery systems, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic interventions.