Q&A with Bojing Jiang: Striking the Spark to Advance Cancer Drug Delivery

Provide a summary of your PhRMA Foundation-funded research and its potential impact on patients.

My research focuses on building incredibly tiny drug delivery packages out of natural materials. Think of it almost like a microscopic tea bag that automatically forms around our medicine. We send these packages directly inside cancer cells. Once inside, instead of bursting open all at once, they act like a slow-steeping tea, continuously releasing a signal that wakes up the immune system over time. This gives the body a constant, steady instruction to fight the cancer at the exact right location. For patients, this means the therapy is far more effective and lasts much longer, while significantly reducing the harsh side effects that come from treating the whole body.

Why did you become a scientist?

Back in high school, I was amazed by the beauty of organic chemistry. I was drawn to how diverse molecules could react through shared underlying mechanisms, and I saw the immense power of building functional molecules to treat diseases. That fascination led me to study chemistry in college. When I joined a lab during the summer of my freshman year, science was no longer just knowledge in a textbook; I could actually use those concepts to solve real-world problems. I discovered how much I enjoyed the process of creating something new. My specific interest in drug delivery sparked later, while working on a project developing injectable, photo-responsive protein hydrogels to enhance nerve regeneration. That experience showed me that molecular engineering is a remarkably powerful tool for constructing complex biomolecular architectures. It also crystallized something for me: I do not want these engineered systems to just exist on paper or remain confined to a lab. I want them to solve urgent medical problems and eventually translate into real products that reach the clinic and impact patient treatment.

Tell us about a standout moment from your career journey.

When I first joined my master’s lab, I had an inexplicable fear of open flames. Part of my routine doing E. coli cell cultures involved using a Bunsen burner to sterilize the workbench. Even though I knew exactly how to operate it safely, I was terrified. For a while, I would always find a reason to ask my mentor or lab mates to light it for me. Then came a day when I was completely alone in the lab and absolutely needed to run an experiment. I had no choice but to light it myself. I took a deep breath, struck the spark, and the flame caught. I immediately realized it was not nearly as scary as I had built it up to be in my head. That small moment became a defining mental touchstone for me. Now, whenever I face a daunting new challenge in my PhD, I remind myself of that Bunsen burner. I tell myself to just strike the spark, because the flame is never as scary as the moment before you light it.

What do you think is a common misconception people have about science and why?

People often believe that science is completely detached from their daily lives and that progress happens in dramatic, movie-style “eureka” moments. Because people picture science as remote and sudden, they miss how it really works. In reality, science is rooted in everyday life, and an entire research project can spark from a very simple, relatable observation. But translating that observation into something meaningful requires a strict scientific approach. It takes time, the discipline to break down complex problems, careful experimentation, constant optimization, and a willingness to think outside the box. Real scientific progress is built not on lone flashes of genius, but on learning from a long series of negative results to finally achieve that one step forward.

What do you love most about research?

To me, research feels like an intricate, real-world puzzle. The absolute best part is that moment at the bench when a piece finally clicks into place. Not just solving a problem, but realizing you have uncovered something no one knew before. Most importantly, I love knowing that the knowledge we create has the potential to be practically applied to improve patient care and change how people live.

What do you like to do outside of research?

Outside of the lab, my two biggest passions are hiking and street photography. Hiking is my favorite way to decompress; it immerses me in nature and forces me to slow down, focusing entirely on the path right in front of me. Street photography is fulfilling in a completely different way. I like to bring my camera along when exploring the city. Observing the world through a 35mm lens teaches me to see things from new perspectives and to make deliberate choices about what to include in the frame. It also gives me the courage to approach strangers. I enjoy striking up brief conversations with the interesting people and taking a moment to hear their stories.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to try new things. When you are just starting out, it is so important to explore different possibilities and research areas. Stay flexible rather than getting locked into one track simply because it is the default route. I would also tell myself to reach out more. Seek guidance when you have genuinely tried and hit a wall, and build a strong network of friends who share your passion for research. Above all, I would emphasize that the environment you choose matters immensely. Seek out mentors who value you as a person, rather than just treating you as a data-generating machine. A healthy, supportive lab culture is ultimately just as important as the prestige of the work you are doing.

What are your career goals?

My future career goals are deeply inspired by pioneers like Dr. Robert Langer. He demonstrated how fundamental chemical engineering could completely revolutionize modern medicine by creating the first localized delivery systems for large molecules. I want to operate at that exact intersection of engineering and clinical application. Rather than letting my research remain in academic journals, my long-term goal is to build a translational research program that takes the biomolecular delivery systems we design in the lab and engineers them into real medical products for diseases where conventional systemic treatments fall short.

Learn more about the PhRMA Foundation’s fellowship and grant opportunities. Check out more researcher stories on our blog.