About

Joseph M. DeSimone is the Sanjiv Sam Gambhir Professor of Translational Medicine and Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. He holds appointments in the Departments of Radiology and Chemical Engineering, with courtesy appointments in the Department of Chemistry and in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. His laboratory's research efforts are focused on developing innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems centered around advanced polymer 3D fabrication methods. In Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, the lab is pursuing new capabilities in digital 3D printing, as well as the synthesis of new polymers for use in advanced additive technologies. In Translational Medicine, research is focused on exploiting 3D digital fabrication tools to engineer new vaccine platforms, enhanced drug delivery approaches, and improved medical devices for numerous conditions, with a current major focus in pediatrics. Complementing these research areas, the DeSimone group has a third focus in Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, and Manufacturing.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Computer Science
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology
• Database
• Geography
• Cancer research
• Biology
• Intensive care medicine
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Optoelectronics
• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Virology

Selected publications

• Fabrication of 3D-Printed Carbon Microarchitected Structures with High Yield from Polyacrylonitrile Composites via Gel Infusion and Pyrolysis

  Chemistry of Materials · 2025-09-15 · 4 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Fabrication of geometrically complex conductive carbon electrodes with micrometer-scale features via polymer 3D printing and pyrolysis enables precise control over precursor composition and structure geometry, enabling the development of a tunable electrode design space for electrochemical systems. Continuous liquid interface production 3D printing of lattices with high surface-to-volume ratios offers promise for producing polymer pyrolysis precursors with tailored microarchitected structures. Herein, a method is reported for 3D printing of polyacrylonitrile-derived carbon structures via gel infusion and subsequent pyrolysis. With optimized pyrolysis conditions, samples demonstrate high char yields of greater than 40% by mass, comparable to yields for conventionally electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibers and higher than commercial resin alternatives. Characterization of polyacrylonitrile-derived 3D carbon lattices reveals carbon crystallite sizes in the nanocrystalline to amorphous regime and capacitance values up to 1.98 F/g corresponding to an electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of >1 m2/g with solid lattice beams. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature results in a higher ECSA, likely caused by increased surface roughness confirmed by microscopy. This gel infusion and pyrolysis method establishes a platform for incorporation of high char yield linear polymers into high-resolution microarchitected structures, paving a pathway for producing hierarchical 3D electrodes for energy storage, catalysis, and reactor technology applications.

  PublisherDOI

• Engineered 3D micro-architected carbon structures via conformal deposition of multifunctional transition metal catalysts

  Carbon · 2025-11-17

  articleOpen access

  Three-dimensional (3D) carbon structures have garnered increasing attention in energy storage and conversion technologies. While conventional porous carbon materials offer high surface areas, their ill-defined structures are replete with closed pores, reducing the effective surface area for electrochemical reactions. . A promising solution is converting 3D polymers into precisely engineered 3D carbon architectures with large accessible surface areas and low tortuosity, thereby facilitating rapid volumetric electrochemical reactions. However, direct pyrolysis of polymers suffers from low carbon yields and significant shrinkage. Herein, we report a method to enhance carbonization yield of 3D-printed polymers while improving dimensional retention using low-cost transition metal salts as catalysts. Facilitated by metal-ester (O–C O) coordination, transition metal salts were conformally deposited onto 3D polymer structures before pyrolysis. During pyrolysis, these metal salts serve two key functions: catalyzing the decomposition of polymer into carbon and graphitization. FeCl 3 demonstrates effective catalysis by increasing yield from 4.2 wt% for neat polymer to 21.4 wt%. In addition to a catalytic interface, the Fe-rich overcoat promotes the preservation of the 3D polymer geometry during pyrolysis. Dense polymer lattices with 50 μm strut diameters, which typically exhibit substantial shrinkage down to 10 μm, were converted into carbon with strut diameters of 43 μm. This high level of dimensional retention enables the creation of high-density carbon struts otherwise unattainable. The ability of this method to tune carbon yield, dimensional retention, graphitization, and porosity enables a pathway for high-throughput manufacturing and offers a toolbox for fabricating highly engineered 3D micro-architected carbon for diverse applications.

  PublisherDOI

• Top-P Masking for Cross Language Information Retrieval

  ArXiv.org · 2025-10-22

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Top-K masking schemes have been proposed as a method to promote sparse representations in Information Retrieval (IR) tasks, as a simple alternative to Floating Point Operations per Second (FLOPS) regularization. Algorithms such as Bilingual Lexical and Document Expansion Model (BLADE), adopt this approach as a post-processing stage. We propose using Top-P Dynamic Masking similar to Nucleus Sampling in Large Language Models, and demonstrate better performance than Top-K masking. Specifically, we evaluate our methods in the domain of Cross Language Information Retrieval (CLIR)

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Transfection via RNA-Based Nanoparticles: Comparing Encapsulation vs Adsorption Approaches of RNA Incorporation

  Bioconjugate Chemistry · 2025-02-25 · 4 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Historically, RNA delivery via nanoparticles has primarily relied on encapsulation, as demonstrated by lipid nanoparticles in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Concerns about RNA degradation on nanoparticle surfaces initially limited the exploration of adsorption-based approaches. However, recent advancements have renewed interest in adsorption as a viable alternative. This Viewpoint explores the approaches of RNA incorporation in nanoparticles, comparing encapsulation, adsorption, and the combination of encapsulation and adsorption, and presents a framework to guide the selection of the most suitable strategy based on general characteristics.

  PublisherDOI

• Free-Form Microfluidic Microneedle Array Patches

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-02-07 · 3 citations

  preprintSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Personalized biomedical devices, such as microneedle array patches (MAPs), offer a promising transdermal drug delivery technology, providing a safe, painless, and self- administered alternative to traditional hypodermic injections. Despite their potential for precise therapeutic release, MAP adoption has been limited by challenges in payload capacity, treatment versatility, and manufacturing scalability. To address these issues, we integrated microfluidic channel designs with MAP technology, enhancing its functionality for delivering a range of payloads, from liquid therapeutics to solid-state cargos, at tunable volumes. Using injection continuous liquid interface production (iCLIP), a novel additive manufacturing approach, we fabricated high-resolution microfluidic MAPs with complex designs. Inspired by the stingers and fangs of various venomous animals, we developed a biomimetic microneedle design that prevents clogging, enhances mechanical strength, and eliminates needle leakage, thereby improving therapeutic delivery efficiency. Our technology reliably delivers multiple distinct payloads, enables combinational mixing, and enables point-of-care reconstitution of solid-state payloads. Teaser Leveraging biomimetic design and advanced 3D printing, we developed high-resolution microfluidic microneedle array patches (MAPs) that overcome payload and scalability challenges, offering a versatile and efficient platform for precise transdermal drug delivery.

  PublisherDOI

• Author Correction: Antigen-capturing nanoparticles improve the abscopal effect and cancer immunotherapy

  UNC Libraries · 2025-06-04

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Palette-PrintAR: augmented reality design and simulation for multicolor resin 3D printing

  2024-05-11 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  While 3D printing affords designers unprecedented geometrical complexity, fewer interactive design tools for multimaterial platforms exist. Recent work in resin 3D printing specifically promises fast, multicolor printing by growing fluidic channels concurrent with the object itself, infusing different resins spatioselectively into the vat; however, no design tools have been developed enabling users to interact with such novel personal fabrication machines in situ. Here, we introduce an augmented reality-based design tool allowing users to engage with this multicolor fabrication method so as to "paint" growing 3D objects. We define the design process and mode of user interaction with our tool, Palette-PrintAR, which integrates situated 3D model manipulation with real-time computational fluid dynamics simulation and computer vision-based tracking and analysis. We detail our 3D printer hardware add-on implementation and AR software architecture, along with characterizing the design flexibilities and limitations of our AR-based multicolor fabrication method.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Issue Information ‐ Cover Description

  Journal of Polymer Science · 2024-03-01

  paratextOpen access

  The cover image by Simon van Hurne depicts the formation of a dynamic covalent boronate-TetraAzaADamantane bond, which could be integrated in a covalent adaptable network.As a result of the on-going dynamic bond exchange reactions within this network, the material could undergo stress relaxation.At the same time, the more robust triple bonding motif allowed for stronger materials compared to their conventional boronate ester-based counterparts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• High-resolution stereolithography: Negative spaces enabled by control of fluid mechanics

  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2024-09-04 · 12 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Stereolithography enables the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) freeform structures via light-induced polymerization. However, the accumulation of ultraviolet dose within resin trapped in negative spaces, such as microfluidic channels or voids, can result in the unintended closing, referred to as overcuring, of these negative spaces. We report the use of injection continuous liquid interface production to continuously displace resin at risk of overcuring in negative spaces created in previous layers with fresh resin to mitigate the loss of Z-axis resolution. We demonstrate the ability to resolve 50-μm microchannels, breaking the historical relationship between resin properties and negative space resolution. With this approach, we fabricated proof-of-concept 3D free-form microfluidic devices with improved design freedom over device material selection and resulting properties.

  PublisherDOI

• HIGH-RISK HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RETINOBLASTOMA FOLLOWING PRIMARY ENUCLEATION

  Retina · 2024-08-16 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: To evaluate high-risk histopathological features following primary enucleation of eyes with retinoblastoma and assess the patient outcomes across continents. METHODS: A retrospective study of 1,426 primarily enucleated retinoblastoma eyes from five continents. RESULTS: Of all, 923 (65%) were from Asia (AS), 27 (2%) from Australia (AUS), 120 (8%) from Europe (EUR), 162 (11%) from North America (NA), and 194 (14%) from South America (SA). Based on the continent (AS vs. AUS vs. EUR vs. NA vs. SA), the histopathological features included massive choroidal invasion (31% vs. 7% vs. 13% vs. 19% vs. 27%, P = 0.001), postlaminar optic nerve invasion (27% vs. 0% vs. 16% vs. 21% vs. 19%, P = 0.0006), scleral infiltration (5% vs. 0% vs. 4% vs. 2% vs. 7%, P = 0.13), and microscopic extrascleral infiltration (4% vs. 0% vs. <1% vs. <1% vs. 4%, P = 0.68). Adjuvant chemotherapy with/without orbital radiotherapy was given to 761 (53%) patients. Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates in different continents (AS vs. AUS vs. EUR vs. NA vs. SA), the 6-year risk of orbital tumor recurrence was 5% versus 2% versus 0% versus 0% versus 12% ( P < 0.001), systemic metastasis was reported in 8% versus 5% versus 2% versus 0% versus 13% ( P = 0.001), and death in 10% versus 3% versus 2% versus 0% versus 11% ( P < 0.001) patients. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the infiltrative histopathological features of retinoblastoma across continents, resulting in variable outcomes. SA and AS had a higher risk of orbital tumor recurrence, systemic metastasis, and death compared to AUS, EUR, and NA.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant U54CA151652

  NIH · $9.2M · 2016

• NIH Grant DP1OD006432

  NIH · $2.2M · 2014

• EAGER:Meso-Polymers

  NSF · $279k · 2009–2012

• NIH Grant R21HL096011

  NIH · $382k · 2012

• NIH Grant R01EB009565

  NIH · $1.3M · 2014

Frequent coauthors

• Bharat Bhushan

  715 shared

• Bradley J. Nelson

  ETH Zurich

  288 shared

• S. Siva Sankara Sai

  Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

  270 shared

• Lixin Dong

  Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University

  263 shared

• Li Zhang

  Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

  194 shared

• J. Christopher Luft

  171 shared

• Timothy J. Merkel

  169 shared

• Jason Li

  149 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  1989

• M.S., Chemical Engineering

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  1985

• B.S., Chemical Engineering

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  1983

Awards & honors

• National Medal of Technology and Innovation (2016)
• U.S. Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award (1997)
• American Chemical Society Award for Creative Invention (2005…
• Lemelson-MIT Prize (2008)
• NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2009)