Dr. Francesca Taraballi earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences and M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Milan – Bicocca, Italy, followed by a second M.S. in Structural Biochemistry. She completed her Ph.D. in Nanostructures and Nanotechnologies through a joint program between the University of Milan – Bicocca and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Trained as a technologist, Dr. Taraballi bridges engineering and medicine by working closely with surgeons to develop immune-engineering solutions that direct the body’s healing processes. She is currently an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration at Houston Methodist Research Institute, within the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. She also holds affiliations with the Center for RNA Therapeutics, the Department of Nanomedicine, and the Neal Cancer Center.

Her research focuses on designing smart biomaterials—injectable and implantable—that modulate the immune system to support tissue repair and regeneration. By engineering the immune response, her work aims to create targeted, adaptive therapeutic strategies for orthopedic injuries, cancer, and neurological conditions. Her innovations in immune-responsive biomaterials and drug delivery have laid the groundwork for next-generation regenerative therapies.

Dr. Taraballi is also deeply committed to education and mentorship, actively guiding students and young scientists to pursue careers in biomedical research. Her dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration and translational science continues to drive impactful discoveries that improve patient outcomes.

• mRNA therapeutics for orthopedic applications
• mRNA vaccine development and validation in small and large animal models.
• Translational bioaterials fabrication and functionalization to tune the immune system towards tissue homeostasis for reconstructive surgery
• cGMP fabrication of devices and regulatory studies for validation
• Development of smart nano-biomaterials to tune the immune system
• Enhancing immunemodulatories capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells from different sources for surgical adjiuvant. (Clinical trials)
• Evaluation of local delivery of antibiotics to fight surgical-related infections (Clinial trials)