Carlos Luna Lopez, PhD is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at California State University San Marcos where he leads a research program in cell mechanics, cancer biology, and biophysics. He has secured federal funding including an NIH R25 (co-investigator) for the BEARS science education program, an NIH SC3 as principal investigator focused on breast cancer invasion and proliferation in adipocyte co-culture models, and an NSF REU Site grant (co-investigator) in cellular and organismal plasticity. At the institutional level, he has received multiple CSUBIOTECH Faculty-Student Research Collaboration awards, supporting student researchers working on breast cancer and adipocyte biology. His grant portfolio reflects a consistent focus on cancer cell mechanics, 3D culture technology, and stem cell biology. Central to his work is a commitment to training the next generation of scientists, with students as active contributors to every stage of the research process. Behind much of what Dr. Luna Lopez has learned about grants is the steady mentorship of colleagues and senior collaborators, and he looks forward to passing that support on to others.
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