Dr Jun Ishihara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, where his research group pioneers innovative protein- and cell-engineering strategies for therapeutic applications in cancer, autoimmunity, and wound healing. Trained as a stem-cell biologist at the University of Tokyo and later as a postdoctoral researcher in immunoengineering at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the University of Chicago, Ishihara has developed a distinctive research focus at the intersection of biomaterials, immune-cell therapy, and synthetic biology. His team has made key advances in designing immune-therapeutic cells that activate locally within solid tumours by coupling cytokines such as interleukin-12 to collagen-binding domains, enhancing efficacy while reducing side effects. Beyond academia, Ishihara is involved in biotechnology ventures translating his discoveries into clinical applications and is committed to engaging the public in understanding new frontiers in biomedical science.