Faculty Directory

Jewell, Christopher

Jewell, Christopher

Minta Martin Professor of Engineering
Research Biologist, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
MPower Professor, MPowering the State
Fischell Institute Fellow
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices
5110 A. James Clark Hall

BIOGRAPHY

Christopher M. Jewell is MPower Professor and Minta Martin Professor of Engineering in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, and a Research Biologist with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. He is an elected Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), the Controlled Release Society (CRS), the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), and the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT). Dr. Jewell was previously appointed as the Miegunyah Distinguished Fellow at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity at the University of Melbourne (Australia). He has also served as the Associate Chair for Research and the Director of the BioWorkshop Core Instrumentation Facility at the University of Maryland. Dr. Jewell graduated from Lehigh University with high honors in 2003 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.S. in Molecular Biology. He attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, completing his PhD in Chemical Engineering with Professor David Lynn in 2008. Chris then joined the Boston Consulting Group in New York City as a consultant in the Healthcare practice, where his work focused on R&D strategy development for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. In 2009, Dr. Jewell accepted a postdoctoral fellowship from the Ragon Institute to begin vaccine research at MIT with Professor Darrell Irvine in the departments of Materials Science and Biological Engineering. Dr. Jewell held a concurrent appointment as a Visiting Scientist in the Division of Vaccine Research at Harvard. In August 2012, Chris established his lab at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on understanding the interactions between synthetic materials and lymph nodes, and exploiting these interactions for therapeutic vaccination. He is also currently Associate Editor for Nature Publishing's Regenerative Medicine.







Dr. Jewell's work has been funded by more than $22M, resulting in more than 120 papers and patent filings, including papers in ACS NanoBiomaterialsCell ReportsNature MaterialsPNASNature, Nature Biotechnology, Trends in Immunology, and others. These efforts have been recognized by awards for research and education, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) awarded by the White House. Dr. Jewell also previous served as an Associate Scientific Adviser for Science Translational Medicine, and has received the NSF CAREER Award, the Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Young Investigator Award, the Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator Award, the University of Maryland Research and Scholar Award, and the University of Maryland's 2017 Graduate Faculty Mentor of the Year.  Dr. Jewell has received the Outstanding Lectureship in Drug Delivery (2020) from the Materials Research Society (MRS), and the NSEF Young Investigator Award (2018) and Owens Corning Early Career Award (2018) from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He also received the University of Maryland's Research Communicator Impact Award (2018) and Clark School of Engineering's Outstanding Research Award (2018).  Dr. Jewell leads the lab's outreach efforts, working with more than 500 area high school students to promote STEM research exposure, building community awareness about STEM opportunities in the cancer field, and fundraising for local and national charities. Chris was previously the recipient of a Society for Biomaterials STAR Award, an American Association of Immunologists Trainee Award, and the Controlled Release Society T. Nagai Postdoctoral Achievement Award. In 2012, Dr. Jewell appeared in USA Today representing the Chemical Engineering discipline as a “New Face of Engineering” during National Engineers Week. Chris was also selected in 2013 as the state of Maryland’s Outstanding Young Engineer by the Maryland Academy of Science, the state’s highest professional honor awarded to an engineer under 36.

EDUCATION

  • Visiting Scientist, Harvard University, 2010-2011
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT, 2009-2012
  • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2008

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Fellow, Controlled Release Society (2022)
  • Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society (2021)
  • Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Peter Doherty Inst. for Infection & Immunity (2021)
  • Outstanding Lectureship Award in Drug Delivery, Materials Research Soc. Nationanl Meeting (2020)
  • Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) awarded by White House (2019)
  • Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) (2019) 
  • Fellow, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) (2019)
  • NSEF Young Investigator Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2018)
  • Owens Corning Early Career Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers - MSED (2018)
  • University of Maryland Clark School Junior Faculty Outstanding Research Award (2018)
  • NanoResearch journal Young Innovator in NanoBiotech (2018)
  • University of Maryland Research Communicator Impact Award (2018)
  • Selected as Associate Scientific Advisor for Science Translational Medicine (2017/2018)
  • Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering journal 2017 Editor Choice Award (2017)
  • University of Maryland Graduate Faculty Mentor of the Year Award (2017)
  • Acta Biomaterialia Outstanding Reviewer Award (2017)
  • Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Education Grant (2017)
  • Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering journal Young Innovator (2016)
  • Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering Young Innovator (2016)
  • Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, Fischell Department of Bioengineering (2015)
  • Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovator Award (2015-2018)
  • Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Young Investigator (2015-2018)
  • Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator (2015-2018)
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2014-2019)
  • State of Maryland's Outstanding Young Engineer (2014)
  • Featured in USA TODAY "New Faces of Engineering" during National Engineers Week (2012)
  • American Association of Immunologists Trainee Award (2012)
  • Controlled Release Society T. Nagai Postdoctoral Research Achievement Award (2011)
  • Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard Science Symposium–Best Poster recipient (2011)
  • Society for Biomaterials STAR award (2011)
  • Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Havard Postdoctoral Fellowship (2009-2011)
  • The Boston Consulting Group Social Impact Fellow–New Zealand conservation work (2008)
  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers Senior Engineering Prizze, Lehigh University (2003)
  • Merck & Co., Inc. Engineering and Technology Fellowship (2001-2002)
  • Lehigh University Dean's Scholarship (1999-2003)

 

Dr. Jewell’s research integrates immunology and biomaterials to decipher the interactions between synthetic materials and immune tissues. His lab also uses these unique expertise to improve therapeutic vaccines for cancer and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. 

Keywords: vaccine, biomaterials, immunology, nanotechnology, immunotherapy, polymers, lipids, drug carriers, autoimmunity, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, scaffolds, controlled release, cancer, melanoma, polyelectrolyte multilayers, microneedles


Find a complete list of Dr. Jewell's publications on his Google Scholar Page

BIOE Announces Fall 2023 Instructional Impact Awards

Three BIOE instructors were recognized for the positive, every-day impact they make supporting the success of BIOE students.

Jewell Lab Participates in the Million Mile for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

Since starting the team years ago, Jewell and his lab members have raised over $25,000 for the cause.

Ph.D. Candidate Shrey Shah Receives Fellowship in Drug Delivery

BIOE Ph.D. candidate Shrey Shah receives a PhRMA Foundation 2024 Predoctoral Fellowship in drug delivery.

24 Teams Present at BIOE Capstone Competition Including First BCE Students

On May 8, 2023, 24 teams presented novel designs at the BIOE Capstone Design Competition.

UMD Bioengineers Work to Recondition Lymph Node Function to Fight Diabetes

Jewell Research Lab Publishes Findings in Nature Communications

Two UMD Bioengineering Majors Named 2023 Goldwater Scholars

UMD’s 49 scholarships in the past 15 years rank No. 1 in the nation.

BIOE Postdoctoral Researcher Spotlight: Marian Ackun-Farmmer

Marian Ackun-Farmmer is a Postdoctoral Researcher in BIOE Professor Chris Jewell lab 

Cancer in the Crosshairs

UMD bioengineers aim to shape the future of cancer vaccine technology by tuning the body’s immune response.

Maryland Engineering’s John Fisher Appointed MPower Professor

BIOE chair one of six UMCP/UMB professors to receive University of Maryland Strategic Partnership appointment.

Jewell Named Associate Editor of Regenerative Medicine

Bioengineering Professor named to Nature Portfolio Journal editorial board.

Jewell Leads Team in Advancing Multiple Sclerosis Research

Bioengineering professor awarded $2.8 million NIH R01 grant for advanced autoimmune therapies.

Using Biomaterials as Tools to Study and Control Immune Function

Chris Jewell presented the Miegunyah Fellowship Public Lecture

Jewell Named Controlled Release Society Fellow

BIOE Professor recognized for outstanding contributions to the field of delivery science and technology.

MIPS company Avidea Technologies acquired by Vaccitech

Avidea is developing the next generation of safer and more effective T-cell immunotherapies.

Maryland Engineering's Chris Jewell Appointed MPower Professor

Bioengineering professor one of eight UMD/UMB professors to receive UMD Strategic Partnership appointment.

Oakes Receives BIOE Postdoctoral Achievement Award

Dr. Robert “Smitty” Oakes recognized for accomplishments in research, funding, and community outreach.

Jewell Named BMES Fellow

BIOE Minta Martin Professor of Engineering Chris Jewell was named to the 2021 BMES Class of Fellows.

Eppler Selected for St. Jude National Graduate Student Symposium

Haleigh Eppler is a fifth-year Biological Sciences Ph.D. candidate and a researcher in the Jewell Lab.

Jewell Lab Explores Techniques to Tailor MS Therapy Design

Prof. Chris Jewell and his lab are investigating how the biophysical properties of nanomaterials used in immunotherapies shape treatment outcomes.

UMD-Led Research Could Point to New Targets for MS Treatments

Findings show that a novel immunotherapy strategy might one day be used to treat multiple sclerosis patients without leaving them immunocompromised.

Jewell Named 2021 Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the University of Melbourne

BIOE professor will collaborate on vaccine technologies at Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity 

New MS Treatment Approach Taps Skin’s Immune Cells

BIOE postdoc Robert “Smitty” Oakes awarded $600K Veterans Affairs grant for multiple sclerosis research

Jewell Lab Project Selected for NIH Concept to Clinic Program

Researchers to gain resources, training to support clinical translation of multiple sclerosis therapy

Eppler Receives NIH F31 Grant

Fourth-year Ph.D. student Haleigh Eppler was recently named a recipient of the NIH F31 grant.

BIOE Faculty Members Jewell and Scarcelli Promoted

Jewell and Scarcelli were promoted to BIOE Professor and Associate Professor, respectively.

BIOE Capstone Class Virtually Presents 24 Novel Projects

BIOE seniors present Capstone projects and celebrate winners virtually.

Eppler Named Dr. Edna O. Hokenson Endowed Fellow

Haleigh Eppler is a fourth-year Biological Sciences Ph.D. student and a member of Christopher Jewell's lab.

Jewell Named Minta Martin Professor

BIOE associate professor recognized for significant scholarly contributions.

Jewell Named Presidential Early Career Award Recipient

BIOE associate professor and associate chair recognized for immune engineering research and STEM outreach.

Jewell Lab Awarded Two NIH R01 Bioengineering Research Grants

BIOE Associate Professor Christopher Jewell now backed by four active NIH R01 grants.

Four BIOE Ph.D. Students Awarded NIH Fellowships

Students recognized for research in vaccine design, surgical sealants, pulmonary diseases, and multiple sclerosis. 

BIOE Capstone Class Presents 20 Novel Projects

Student projects include novel pediatric medical devices, a hemofiltration system, and a tracheostomy device.

Four BIOE Students Named NSF Graduate Research Fellows

Students recognized for research in immunoengineering, regenerative medicine, and more.

Clyne, Jewell Inducted into AIMBE College of Fellows

BIOE faculty awarded one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to a medical/biological engineer.

Jewell Named AIChE 2018 NSEF Young Investigator, Owens Corning Recipient

BIOE associate professor recognized for research at interface of immunology and engineering.

UMD Researchers Point to Future of Engineered Immune Tissues

Jewell Lab review article featured as Nature Materials cover story.

Jewell Lab Research Featured as Transplantation Cover Story

BIOE researchers use quantum dots to to aid design of specific and effective therapies for MS.

Three BIOE Professors Awarded NIH R01s in as Many Months

Drs. Jewell, Scarcelli, and Jay were awarded a collective total of $5.4 million in NIH R01 funding this spring.

Jewell Awarded $1.4 Million NIH Grant for Novel Multiple Sclerosis Research

BIOE professor works to advance study of immunology.

Jewell Promoted to Associate Professor

Dr. Christopher Jewell named associate professor with tenure, effective July 1.

Gray Wins Dr. Mabel S. Spencer Award for Graduate Achievement

BIOE Ph.D. student recognized for efforts to develop therapies for diseases of the central nervous system.

BIOE Researchers Develop New Technologies to Drive Next-Generation Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis

Jewell Lab members use quantum dots to define density of self-antigen display.

BIOE Researchers Host 4th Annual Symposium featuring High School Bioscience Students

Jewell’s Program to Enhance Participation in Research Celebrates Growth

BIOE Capstone 2017: Projects Focus on Pediatric Care, Physical Therapy, Pulmonary Tumors, and More

BIOE hosted it's largest-ever Capstone Design competition on May 10th, 2017.

BIOE Researcher Works to Advance MS, Autoimmune Disease Research

Ph.D. student Lisa Tostanoski recognized with Lemelson-MIT Student Prize

BIOE Student Wins Prestigious Lemelson-MIT Student Prize

Lisa Tostanoski recognized for biomaterials-based strategies to combat multiple sclerosis

Jewell Named Science Translational Medicine Associate Scientific Advisor

BIOE Assistant Professor Christopher Jewell to publish seven Editors’ Choice articles in AAAS journal.

UMD, VA Maryland Health Care System Collaborate on MS Research

BIOE assistant professor Chris Jewell leads effort to use nanotechnology to treat MS.

Jewell Lab Teams up with Veterans Affairs to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Research

BIOE, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and others collaborate in the name of human health innovation.

Jewell Lab Takes on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Million Mile Challenge

BIOE researchers rally support for month-long campaign to raise money, awareness for pediatric cancer research.

UMD Bioengineers Work to Reprogram Lymph Node Function to Fight Multiple Sclerosis

Jewell Research Lab Publishes Findings in Cell Reports Journal

Jay, Jewell Named 2016 Young Innovators of Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

BIOE researchers look to advance delivery of therapeutics to treat cancers.

Jewell Research Lab Explores New Therapies for Treatment of Juvenile Diabetes

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation awards Prof. Jewell $500,000 grant to study vaccine for diabetes.

BioE Capstone 2016: New Projects Focus on Improved Healthcare for Underserved Communities, Pediatric Patients, and More

Affordable RT-PCR for clinical diagnostics, fear mitigation device for pediatric MRIs tie for first place.

Arjun Adapa Named 2016 Fulbright Grant Recipient

Senior BioE student to conduct research on Alzheimer's disease in the Netherlands.

Jewell Lab Makes Strides in Multiple Sclerosis Research

Fischell Department of Bioengineering researchers awarded $599,000 grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

BioE Undergrads Celebrate Upcoming 4th Edition of The Catalyst

Department’s first undergraduate research journal highlights student research.

Andorko Awarded AAPS Graduate Student Fellowship

BioE graduate student recognized for cutting-edge vaccine and drug delivery research.

Fischell Researchers Develop Innovative Technique to Fine-Tune Vaccines

Members of the Jewell Research Laboratory publish ACS Nano paper on rationally designed vaccines that promote tunable immune responses.

Fischell Researchers, Wheaton High School Host Second-Annual Symposium to Foster Bioengineering Education

BioE’s Christopher Jewell furthers initiative to expose high school students to new opportunities in bioengineering.

BioE Capstone 2015: New Projects Focus on Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Injury Rehabilitation, and More

Neonatal acoustic protection device takes first place in annual design competition.

Invention of the Year Finalist: Intra-Lymph Node Cancer Vaccination Delivery

Jewell develops potent and selective vaccine delivery technique targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases

UMD To Celebrate Innovations and Partnerships April 29

Nine nominees for Invention of the Year to be recognized at annual event

Jewell Named ACGT Research Grant Recipient

BioE assistant professor receives prestigious $250,000 Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy grant.

Jewell Named 2015 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovator

BioE Assistant Professor Chris Jewell recognized for revolutionary cancer vaccine strategy.

Andorko Receives Future of Science Fund Scholarship at Keystone Symposia Vaccine Meeting

BioE Ph.D. candidate recognized by leading immunologists during Keystone Symposia event.

UMD Clark School Highlights Disaster Resilience at Mpact Week

Five-day event focused on role of engineers in disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.

2014 Fischell Festival Tackles Key Topics in Biomedical Emergency Response

Keynote Speaker Rear Admiral Stephen Redd (CDC) discusses Ebola treatment, prevention efforts.

BioE Capstone 2014: New Projects Focus on Cardiological Health, Surgical Tools and More

Students' inventions range from diagnostic devices to accident prevention products.

Tostanoski Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Ph.D. student Lisa Tostanoski was recently awarded a $132,000 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

Christopher Jewell Receives NSF CAREER Award

Assistant Professor Christopher Jewell Receives NSF CAREER Award for Biomaterial Vaccine Research

UMD Researcher Helps Arm the Immune System to Fight Cancer

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation supports Jewell's cancer vaccine research.

BioE's Chris Jewell Named Outstanding Young Engineer

Md. Science Center honors expert in controlling immune system response.

Mukhamedova: HHMI Fellowship Supports System That Could Help Treat MS

BioE junior developing drug delivery system that could help control immune system response.

Andorko Wins Bioengineering Conference Poster Award

Grad student takes top honors for presentation of "stealthy" drug delivery system.

Jewell Joins BioE Faculty

Professor strives to create new treatments for for type 1 diabetes, other autoimmune diseases.