Kam W. Leong
Biography
Kam Leong is widely recognized as a pioneer in the application of nanotechnology for gene delivery and nonviral gene editing in vivo, a critical step to realize the full potential of CRISPR-based gene editing. He is also a key member of the team that invented Gliadel™, a biodegradable polymeric wafer that delivers the drug carmustine directly into a brain tumor site after surgical removal to improve the efficacy of the drug and prolong the survival of cancer patients. Leong continues to innovate with biomaterials and nanocarriers to help realize the potential of exciting breakthroughs in genomics, stem cell technology, and gene editing.
An IEEE Member, Leong is the Samuel Y. Sheng Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA and is the recipient of the 2025 IEEE Biomedical Engineering Award for "pioneering contributions to bionanotechnology that transformed therapies with drug and gene delivery, gene editing, and anti-inflammation nanomaterials."
