Perez Lab
The Perez Laboratory conducts research on the design of nanoparticle technologies with applications in medicine, particularly imaging, diagnostics and therapy. Our main focus is to design clinical translational nanotechnologies for the imaging and treatment of cancer (prostate, breast and brain) as well as neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the design of biodegradable and biocompatible nanoparticles with dual imaging and therapeutic capabilities is a major focus of the Perez Lab. Another emphasis of our research group is to discover nanoparticle-based techniques that can be used to interrogate biological systems in the pursuit of novel targets and therapeutics.
The Perez Laboratory is affiliated with the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nanomedicine Research Center, Neurosurgery Department and the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.

Personal Statement
I received my doctorate in biochemistry at Boston University and my postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. I then accepted a position at the University of Central Florida as an assistant professor at The NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), eventually becoming an associate professor with tenure. Although initially trained as a biochemist, during my postdoctoral training I developed into a bio-organic and conjugation chemist. I also trained in molecular imaging, particularly the development of iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI probes and nanosensors. My current research interests are the development of novel nanoparticle-based systems that integrate imaging and drug delivery capabilities, molecular imaging, diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer."
J. Manuel Perez, PhD
- Hyperbranched Polymeric Nanoparticles as Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Therapeutics
- Activatable Molecular Imaging Agents
- Small-Molecule-Based Activatable Prodrug for the Detection and Treatment of Tumors
- Binding Magnetic Relaxation Nanosensors for the Assessment of Molecular Interactions
Collaborations
Internal
External
- Annette Khaled, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida
- Jan Grimm, MD, PhD, Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Kaittanis C, Shaffer TM, Ogirala A, Santra S, Perez JM, Chiosis G, Li Y, Josephson L, Grimm J.
Nature Comm. 2014 Mar 5;5:3384.
Lee MW, Bassiouni R, Sparrow NA, Iketani A, Boohaker RJ, Moskowitz C, Vishnubhotla P, Khaled AS, Oyer J, Copik A, Fernandez-Valle C, Perez JM, Khaled AR.
Cell Death Dis. 2014 May 22;5:e1249.
Santiesteban OJ, Kaittanis C, Perez JM.
Small 2014;10(6):1202-1211.
Contact the Perez Lab
127 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Advance Health Sciences Pavilion, Suite A8113
Los Angeles, CA 90048