Mauro Ferrari

Mauro Ferrari
Born	(1959-07-07)7 July 1959 Padova,Italy
Nationality	Italy, United States
Alma mater	University of California BerkeleyMS, PhD (Mechanical Engineering) University of Padova,Italy Dottore, Mathematics)
Known for	Nanomedicine Cancer Therapeutics Nanofluidics Drug delivery Biomedical microtechnology Bioethics
Spouse	Paola Ferrari ​ (m.1995)​
Children	five
Awards	National Academy of Sciences Italy National Academy of Sciences Europe Blaise Pascal Medal in Biomedical Engineering(2012) Department of Defense Innovator Award (2009-2014) Fellow,American Association for the Advancement of Science(2009) Aurel Stodola Medal(2005)
Scientific career
Fields	Nanomedicine
Institutions	Houston Methodist University of Texas National Cancer Institute Ohio State University University of California Berkeley
Website	www.houstonmethodist.org/research/our-faculty/labs/ferrari-lab/

Mauro Ferrari(born 7 July 1959) is a nanoscientistand leader in the field ofnanomedicine.He served as special expert on nanotechnology for theNational Cancer Institute(2003-2005) and was instrumental in establishing the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer in 2004. On 1 January 2020, Ferrari was made president of theEuropean Research Council(ERC).Following a vote of no confidence, on 27 March 2020, "all 19 active members of the ERC’s Scientific Council individually and unanimously requested that Mauro Ferrari resign from his position as ERC’s President", due to poor conduct in office, exploiting the position to further his own projects, and for consistently failing to represent the interests of the ERC.On 7 April 2020, Ferrari officially resigned, stating to the media that he was "extremely disappointed by the European response” to the pandemic and expressing frustration over opposition to his efforts to launch a scientific program to combat the virus.

Early life and education

Ferrari was born inPadova,Italy in 1959. He spent his early years in Udine and Florence before attending the University of Padova and earning his Laurea in Mathematics in 1985. He moved to Berkeley, California where he earned his master's and doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of California Berkeley.

Career

Professor of Engineering

Ferrari became an associate professor of engineering at Berkeley, then moved to theOhio State Universityas professor of bioengineering, internal medicine, and mechanical engineering. He studied medicine at theOhio State Universityconcurrent with his faculty appointment from 2002-2004.

Cancer research

He moved to theMD Anderson Cancer CenterandUniversity of Texas Health Science Centerat Houston, TX to become the chair of the department of nanomedicine and biomedical engineering, and then in 2010 accepted the position of president and CEO of theHouston Methodist Research Institutein Houston, TX. Ferrari was appointed as Chief Commercialization Officer of Houston Methodist in 2018, and retired in 2019.

ERC President (2020)

In 2019, theEuropean Commissionappointed Ferrari as the next President of theEuropean Research Council(ERC), succeedingJean-Pierre Bourguignon;he was selected by a search committee chaired byMario Monti.He took the post on 1 January 2020.

Ferrari resigned in 7 April 2020, citing his disappointment at the lack of coordinated EU action to address theCOVID-19 pandemic.Ferrari was not alone in his criticism of the EU response to COVID-19.The ERC countered that calling for specific research was contrary to their mandate. According toScience Magazine,"ERC, set up to reward bottom-up basic research ideas, does not designate money for specific research areas....Other EU organ[ization]s can and do pay for research in particular fields, including COVID-19, but ERC is designed to protect science from politics. Ferrari writes that 'the expected burden of death, suffering, societal transformation, and economic devastation' of the pandemic justifies breaking this rule." The ERC responded on 8 April 2020: "...we regret Professor Ferrari's statement, which at best is economical with the truth."The ERC stated that Ferrari's "resignation in fact followed a written unanimous vote of no confidence”.They cited "a complete lack of appreciation for the raison-d’être of the ERC", "a lack of engagement with the ERC", with Ferrari "failing to participate in many important meetings, spending extensive time in the USA and failing to defend the ERC’s programme and mission," making "several personal initiatives within the Commission" without consulting the ERC, and being "involved in multiple external enterprises, some academic and some commercial, which took a lot of his time and effort and appeared on several occasions to take precedence over his commitment to ERC."Ferrari disputed the ERC claims of his failing to meet his obligations and their accusations of inappropriate outside involvements.In the months following Ferrari's resignation, the EU itself debated whether some funding of the ERC should include some focused research on COVID-19; which is what Ferrari advocated and the ERC adamantly opposed.

Other activities

Corporate boards

• AMBER, Member of the Scientific Advisory Board
• Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals,Member of the Board of Directors(2010–present)
• Dead Sea Research Institute, President of the int'l board of governors
• Leonardo Biosystems, Member of the Board of Directors
• NanoMedical Systems, Member of the Board of Directors

Non-profit organizations

• Member of the Engineering Leadership Board,Cullen College of Engineering,University of Houston

Research interests

Ferrari's research usesnanotechnology,microtechnology,physical sciences,mathematics,biomechanics,andmaterial sciencesto develop new technologies for health care applications likedrug deliveryandcancer therapeutics.He leads a physical sciences inoncologycenter, one of a network of centers sponsored by theNational Institutes of HealthNational Cancer Center.The research of this center focuses on understanding the physical and biomechanicalbiologicalbarriers that reduce the efficacy of cancer therapeutics.He developed a new drug callediNPG-pDox,composed ofsiliconnanoparticlesloaded withpolymericdoxorubicin,that had better results at lower doses in animal models compared to standarddoxorubicinchemotherapyformetastaticbreast cancer.

Published works

Ferrari has produced more than 350 publications, including seven books and 41 issued patents in the US and Europe. In June 2020, Ferrari and his lab colleagues had a publication retracted from Science Advances Journal due to various image duplications suggesting possible scientific misconduct.

Books

• Ferrari M, Granik VT, Imam A, Nadeau J, editors. Advances in Doublet Mechanics. Lecture Notes in Physics, New Series M: Monographs, vol. m 45. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer Verlag; 1997.ISBN978-3-540-49636-6
• Ferrari M. Micro- and Nanofabricated Electro-Optical Mechanical Systems for Biomedical and Environmental Applications. SPIE, The International Society for Optical Engineering; 1999 Jan.ISBN9780819423894
• Lee A, Lee J, Ferrari M, editors. BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology. Vol I: Biological and Biomedical Nanotechnology. Springer. 2006.ISBN978-0-387-25842-3
• Ozkan M, Heller M, Ferrari M, editors. BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology. Vol II: Micro/Nanotechnologies for Genomics and Proteomics. Springer. 2006.ISBN978-0387255644
• Desai T, Bhatia SN, Ferrari M, editors. BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology. Vol III: Therapeutic Micro/Nanotechnologies. Springer. 2006.ISBN978-1850758600
• Bashir R, Werely S, Ferrari M, editors. BioMEMS and Biomedical Nanotechnology. Vol IV: Biomolecular Sensing, Processing, and Analysis. Springer. 2006.ISBN978-0387255668
• Cristini V, Ferrari M, Decuzzi P, editors. Nanoparticulate Delivery to Cancerous Lesions: Advances in Mathematical Modeling. Ferrari M, series editor. Fundamental Biomedical Technologies. Vol. 2. Springer. April 2010.ISBN978-0387290850

Journal articles

• Xu R, et al. (2016)."An injectable nanoparticle generator enhances delivery of cancer therapeutics".Nat Biotechnol.34(4): 414–8.doi:10.1038/nbt.3506.PMC5070674.PMID26974511.
• Blanco E, et al. (2014)."Co-localized delivery of rapamycin and paclitaxel to tumors enhances synergistic targeting of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR".Molecular Therapy.22(7): 1310–9.doi:10.1038/mt.2014.27.PMC4088997.PMID24569835.
• Dave B, et al. (2014)."Targeting RPL39 and MLF2 reduce tumor initiation and metastasis in breast cancer by inhibiting nitric oxide syn".Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.111(24): 8838–43.doi:10.1073/pnas.1320769111.PMC4066479.PMID24876273.
• Chen X, et al. (2014)."XBP1 promotes triple negative breast cancer by controlling the HIF1α pathway".Nature.508(7494): 103–107.Bibcode:2014Natur.508..103C.doi:10.1038/nature13119.PMC4105133.PMID24670641.
• Parodi A, et al. (2013)."Synthetic nanoparticles functionalized with biomimetic leukocyte membranes possess cell-like functions".Nature Nanotechnology.8(1): 61–68.Bibcode:2013NatNa...8...61P.doi:10.1038/nnano.2012.212.PMC3751189.PMID23241654.
• Hall R, Sun T, Ferrari M (2012). "A portrait of nanomedicine and its bioethical implications".Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics.40(4): 763–779.doi:10.1111/j.1748-720X.2012.00705.x.PMID23289679.S2CID16678752.
• Michor F, Liphardt J, Ferrari M, Widom J (2011)."What does physics have to do with cancer?".Nature Reviews Cancer.11(9): 657–670.doi:10.1038/nrc3092.PMC3711102.PMID21850037.
• Ananta JS, et al. (2010)."Geometrical confinement of gadolinium-based contrast agents in nanoporous particles enhances T1 contrast".Nature Nanotechnology.5(11): 815–821.Bibcode:2010NatNa...5..815A.doi:10.1038/nnano.2010.203.PMC2974055.PMID20972435.
• Ferrari M (2010). "Vectoring siRNA therapeutics into the clinic".Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology.7(9): 485–6.doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2010.131.PMID20798696.S2CID41070268.
• Evans J (2009)."Five big ideas for nanotechnology".Nature Medicine.15(4): 348.doi:10.1038/nm0409-348.PMID19349991.S2CID205377524.
• Ferrari M (2009). "Straight talk with Mauro Ferrari".Nature Medicine.15(7): 716–7.doi:10.1038/nm0709-716.PMID19584847.S2CID205380426.
• Gewin, V (2009). "Big opportunities in a small world".Nature.460(7254): 540–1.doi:10.1038/nj7254-540a.PMID19637403.
• Ferrari M (2008). "Nanogeometry: Beyond Drug Delivery".Nature Nanotechnology.3(3): 131–132.Bibcode:2008NatNa...3..131F.doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.46.PMID18654480.
• Sanhai W, Sakamoto J, Canady R, Ferrari M (2008). "Seven Challenges for Nanomedicine".Nature Nanotechnology.3(5): 242–244.Bibcode:2008NatNa...3..242S.doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.114.PMID18654511.
• Cheng M, et al. (2006). "Nanotechnologies for Biomolecular Detection and Medical Diagnostics".Current Opinion in Chemical Biology.10(1): 11–19.doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.01.006.PMID16418011.
• Sanga S, Sinek J, Frieboes H, Ferrari M, Fruehauf J, Christini V (2006). "Mathematical Modeling of Cancer Progression and Response to Chemotherapy".Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy.6(10): 1361–1376.doi:10.1586/14737140.6.10.1361.PMID17069522.S2CID20253749.
• Decuzzi P, Lee S, Bhushan B, Ferrari M (2005). "A Theoretical Model for the Margination of Particles within Blood Vessels".Annals of Biomedical Engineering.33(2): 179–190.doi:10.1007/s10439-005-8976-5.PMID15771271.S2CID1705344.
• Ferrari M (2005). "Cancer nanotechnology: opportunities and challenges".Nature Reviews Cancer.5(3): 161–171.doi:10.1038/nrc1566.PMID15738981.S2CID340845.
• Liotta L, Ferrari M, and Petricoin E (2003)."Clinical proteomics: Written in blood".Nature.425(6961): 905.Bibcode:2003Natur.425..905L.doi:10.1038/425905a.PMID14586448.S2CID34755301.

Patents

• WO application 201517777,Fine D, Grattoni A, Ferrari M, Liu X, Goodall R, Hosali S, "Therapeutic microdevices and methods of making and using same", published 2015
• US patent 8926994,Ferrari M, Serda R, Meraz IM, Gu J, Xia X, Shen H, Sun T, "Mesoporous silicon particles for the presentation of tumor antigens and adjuvant for anti-cancer immunity", published 2015
• US patent 8685755,Ferrari M, Tasciotti E, Liu X, Bouamrani A, Hu Y, "Combinational multidomain mesoporous chips and a method for fractionation, stabilization, and storage of biomolecules", published 2014
• US patent 8753897,Ferrari M, Cheng MM-C, Cuda G, Gaspari M, Geho D, Liotta L, Petricoin E, Robertson F, Terracciano R, "Nanoporous substrates for the [sic] analytical methods", published 2014
• US patent 8920625,Ferrari M, Liu X, Cheng MC, "Electrochemical method of making porous particles using a constant current density", published 2014
• US patent 8361508,Decuzzi P, Ferrari M, "Endocytotic Particles", published 2013
• US patent 8480637,Ferrari M, Liu X, Grattoni, Fine D, Goodall R, Hosali S, Medema R, Hudson L, "Nanochanneled device and related methods", published 2013
• US patent 8563022,Decuzzi P, Ferrari M, "Particles for cell targeting", published 2013
• US patent 8568877,Ferrari M, Liu X, Chiappini C, Fakhoury JR, "Porous and non-porous nanostructures", published 2013
• US patent 8173115,Ferrari M, Decuzzi P, "Particle compositions with a pre-selected cell internalization mode", published 2012
• US patent 7993271,Liu J, Ferrari M, Rokhlin SI, Sedmark DD, "System and method for screening tissue", published 2011
• US patent 6355270,Ferrari M, Dehlinger PJ, Martin FJ, Grove CF, Friend DR, "Particles for oral delivery of peptides and proteins", published 2002
• US patent 6405066,Essenpreis M, Desai TA, Ferrari M, Hansford DJ, "Implantable analyte sensor", published 2002
• US patent 6015559,Keller CG, Ferrari M, "High vertical aspect ratio thin film structures", published 2000
• US patent 6044981,Chu WH, Ferrari M, "Microfabricated filter with specially constructed channel walls and containment well, and capsule constructed with such filters [II]", published 2000
• US patent 6107102,Ferrari M, "Therapeutic microdevices and methods of making and using same", published 2000
• US patent 5985164,Chu WH, Ferrari M, "Method for forming a filter", published 1999
• US patent 5893974,Keller CG, Ferrari M, "Microfabricated capsules for immunological isolation of cell transplants", published 1999
• US patent 5938923,Tu J, Ferrari M, "Microfabricated filter and capsule using a substrate sandwich", published 1999
• US patent 5948255,Keller CG, Ferrari M, "Microfabricated particle thin film filter and method of making it", published 1999
• US patent 5985328,Chu WH, Ferrari M, "Micromachined porous membranes with bulk support [II]", published 1999
• US patent 5770076,Chu WH, Ferrari M, "Micromachined capsules having porous membranes and bulk supports [I]", published 1998
• US patent 5798042,Chu WH, Ferrari M, "Microfabricated filter with specially constructed channel walls and containment well, and capsule constructed with such filters [I]", published 1998

Honors, decorations, awards and distinctions

• 2008 Fellow,American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
• 2009 Fellow,American Association for the Advancement of Science
• 2011 Founders Award,Controlled Release Society
• 2015 Aurel Stodola Medal, Mechanical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Personal life

Ferrari met and married his first wife Marialuisa while they were both students at the University of Padova, and they moved to Berkeley, California. While he was faculty at theUniversity of California Berkeley,Marialuisa died from cancer. Ferrari married Paola Del Zotto from Udine, Italy in 1995. He has five children, including two sets of twins.