From the University of Pennsylvania to UVA, Margaret Billingsley Charts a Course in Nanomedicine and Women’s Health
Following Marshall Padilla’s move to Stanford, the next installment of Launching the Next Generation of Bioengineering Faculty features Margaret Billingsley.
On Aug. 31, 2026, Billingsley will join the University of Virginia as an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering with an appointment in the university’s NanoSTAR Institute, where she will establish a laboratory focused on engineering nanoparticle platforms to treat sex-specific diseases, including ovarian cancer.
In Charlottesville, Billingsley’s research group will operate at the intersection of biomaterials, drug delivery and immunology, developing targeted therapies while advancing new treatment strategies for diseases with significant unmet clinical needs. Her transition to leading an independent laboratory builds on the hands-on research experience and collaborative approach she developed during her time in the Mitchell Lab and at Penn Engineering.
Learning the Mechanics of a New Lab
Billingsley’s passion for academic research began as an undergraduate in Dr. Emily Day’s group at the University of Delaware, where she first encountered Ph.D. pathways and faculty careers. At the time, however, running her own laboratory felt like a distant aspiration rather than a tangible next step.
Her perspective transformed when she arrived at Penn as part of the initial graduate student cohort in the Mitchell Lab.
Under the direction of Michael J. Mitchell, Hibbert Professor in Bioengineering, the group develops advanced biomaterials for targeted drug delivery, with major focus areas in lipid nanoparticles and cellular therapies. Joining the lab at its inception gave Billingsley an insider’s view of what it takes to build a research group from the ground up.
“Especially as a member of the first grad student cohort in the Mitchell Lab, I got to see what it takes to grow a new community, jumpstart projects, and navigate the ups-and-downs that come with it,” says Billingsley. “My time in the Mitchell Lab really gave me a playbook for how to approach this next adventure.”
Penn’s clinically oriented environment reinforced the importance of orienting basic science toward tangible patient outcomes, a principle that continues to drive her work in drug delivery.
Cultivating a Mentorship Philosophy
As Billingsley turns her attention to UVA, her initial focus centers on recruiting a dedicated group of researchers who share a vision for translational biomaterials and effective scientific communication. She also plans to forge connections between UVA’s engineering departments and clinical units to accelerate collaborative projects.
Her approach to mentorship reflects the guidance she received throughout her graduate training. When navigating the academic job market, she relied heavily on Mitchell’s steady support during every phase of application reviews and interview preparation.
“It can be hard to find mentors that will support you across career phases, so I feel incredibly lucky to have no doubts that Mike will be a mentor for life,” says Billingsley. “Even as I transition into this next role and begin building my own research program, it’s still an honor to be a part of the ever-growing Mitchell Lab community.”
Taking the Next Step
Billingsley credits her progress to a wide network of peers, research partners, and mentors across Penn who challenged her scientifically and offered continuous encouragement.
Stepping into her role at UVA offers Billingsley the opportunity to establish her own scientific hub, bringing together the clinical focus, collaborative spirit, and mentorship culture that shaped her journey in Penn Bioengineering.