Dr. Irina Balyasnikova is a trained molecular biologist who obtained her PhD degree from the National Cardiology Research Center, Moscow, Russia.  She then completed two post-doctoral fellowships, one at the University of Pennsylvania and the second at the University of Illinois, Chicago.  She subsequently obtained her training in neuro-oncology in Dr. Lesniak's laboratory prior to joining the faculty at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Balyasnikova has extensive experience with stem cells and single chain antibodies.  Her current area of research focuses on the use of mesenchymal and neural stem cells expressing single chain antibodies against glioma antigens.  She is one of only handful of scientists in the world employing this technology to enhance stem cell migration and targeting in the context of malignant brain tumors.  Her research is supported by a grant from the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division as well as the Pardee Foundation. 

View a partial list of Dr. Balyasnikova's publications through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed online database.

Email: ir[email protected]

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