About Cairina

At Cairina, we transform complex oncology challenges into actionable insights. Inspired by the groundbreaking principles of fluid dynamics demonstrated in the “Friendly Floatees” spill experiment, we’ve pioneered an innovative approach to cancer treatment planning. Our platform leverages the predictive power of interstitial fluid flow analysis to map tumor behavior, enhance treatment precision, and improve patient outcomes.

At Cairina, we aim to revolutionize oncology care by providing clinicians with tools that enable personalized, effective, and accessible treatment planning.

Our Inspiration

In 1992, a shipping accident released thousands of rubber duckies into the ocean, giving oceanographers an unprecedented opportunity to study ocean currents and fluid flow patterns. This event sparked an idea: could similar principles be applied to the intricate fluid dynamics within the human body?

Our founding researchers recognized the parallels between ocean currents and interstitial fluid flow within tumors. By adapting these methods, Cairina can predict how cancer cells move, how drugs interact with the tumor microenvironment, and where cancer may spread next.

Our Software

Cairina revolutionizes cancer treatment by providing clinicians with highly detailed, 3D-rendered models that map the unique fluid dynamics of each patient’s tumor. These precise visualizations empower surgeons with greater accuracy in the operating room, optimize the delivery of radiotherapy and targeted drugs, and offer early, actionable insights into how a patient is responding to treatment or how the disease is progressing. What sets Cairina apart is its ability to integrate effortlessly into existing clinical workflows—no need for additional imaging or specialized equipment. This means advanced, personalized cancer care can be delivered more efficiently and made accessible to a broader range of patients, ultimately improving outcomes and transforming the standard of care.

Cairina Leadership

Our leadership team combines expertise in biomedical science, oncology, physics, and mathematical modeling to drive innovation in personalized medicine.

Jenny Munson, Ph.D.

President, Cairina
Professor
Director, Cancer Research Center
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Virginia Tech

Dr. Jennifer Munson is a distinguished biomedical engineer and professor specializing in fluid dynamics within the brain and tumor microenvironments. She also serves as the Director of the Cancer Research Center at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech. With over 15 years of groundbreaking research experience, Dr. Munson focuses on measuring, modeling, and manipulating interstitial fluid flow to advance the understanding and treatment of brain cancers such as glioblastoma.

Dr. Munson leads a multidisciplinary lab that integrates in vivo, in vitro, and computational approaches to uncover how fluid dynamics influence tumor behavior, invasion, and therapeutic delivery. Her team’s work has contributed to innovative imaging techniques, including DCE-MRI, and the creation of tissue-engineered microenvironments that replicate patient-specific conditions. She has also explored novel methods to manipulate fluid flow, improving therapeutic delivery in both oncology and neurodegenerative diseases.

As the Faculty Director of the Preclinical Imaging Center and now the Cancer Research Center, Dr. Munson oversees advanced imaging and biotransport analysis, driving discoveries that impact clinical outcomes. Recognized as a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society and recipient of numerous awards, including the Emerging Leader Award from the Ivy Foundation, she is a leader in bridging engineering, biology, and clinical science.

At Cairina, Dr. Munson applies her extensive expertise to shape innovative, patient-centric solutions for oncology treatment planning and beyond.

Caleb Stine, Ph.D.

Vice President, Cairina
Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Virginia Tech

Dr. Caleb Stine is a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow and Vice President of Cairina Inc., bringing a dynamic blend of engineering and biomedical expertise to the forefront of cancer research. With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Tech, Dr. Stine has spent over seven years advancing the study of interstitial fluid flow in glioblastoma, developing innovative models and techniques that drive translational research.

Dr. Stine’s contributions include pioneering a novel surgical technique for murine models to simultaneously image and manipulate brain fluid flow, creating mathematical models of chemotactic gradients, and designing in vitro devices to explore tumor responses to fluid dynamics. His interdisciplinary work bridges computational, biological, and imaging methods, offering groundbreaking insights into tumor progression and therapeutic interventions. He has also developed an advanced pipeline for MRI and histological analysis to predict tumor invasion and progression based on fluid transport parameters.

As Vice President of Cairina, Dr. Stine combines his academic achievements with entrepreneurial leadership, securing funding, fostering partnerships, and spearheading the company’s translational research initiatives. His passion for improving healthcare outcomes drives his commitment to developing innovative, patient-centered solutions in oncology treatment planning and beyond.

Russ Rockne, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Director, Division of Mathematical Oncology
Beckman Research Institute
City of Hope

Dr. Russell Rockne is a pioneering mathematical oncologist and Associate Professor dedicated to advancing precision medicine through computational modeling and quantitative analysis. As Director of the Division of Mathematical Oncology and Vice Chair of the Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine at the Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, he leads a multidisciplinary team integrating mathematics, physics, and data science to transform cancer research and treatment.

Dr. Rockne’s expertise spans mathematical modeling, machine learning, and multi-modal imaging analysis, focusing on patient-specific predictions of cancer growth, treatment response, and disease progression. His innovative work has led to patented algorithms and novel methodologies for integrating imaging data with biological and clinical insights, particularly in glioblastoma and hematological malignancies.

An internationally recognized leader in the field, Dr. Rockne co-directs the Biostatistics and Mathematical Oncology Shared Resource, which supports large-scale data analysis and predictive modeling for clinical applications. He has been instrumental in bridging computational methods with clinical care, as reflected in his extensive body of published research, editorial roles, and leadership in developing a roadmap for the future of mathematical oncology.

At Cairina, Dr. Rockne’s cutting-edge expertise drives the development of advanced tools for oncology treatment planning, emphasizing precision and innovation in patient care.

Ryan Woodall, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor
Beckman Research Institute
City of Hope

Dr. Ryan Woodall is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Mathematical Oncology at the Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, where he specializes in mathematical modeling, control engineering, and computational optimization for cancer research and treatment. With a foundation in engineering and physics, Dr. Woodall brings a unique perspective to biological phenomena, leveraging his expertise to develop innovative models and analytical tools that enhance our understanding of tumor dynamics and therapeutic delivery.

Dr. Woodall has made significant contributions to the development of tissue-scale models for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, optimization algorithms for nanoparticle delivery, and data-driven discovery of CAR-T cell interactions. His work bridges the gap between engineering, mathematics, biology, and medicine, providing critical insights into tumor heterogeneity, fluid transport, and treatment efficacy. He has also optimized therapeutic delivery strategies for clinical trials, demonstrating the impact of his research in practical, patient-specific oncology applications.

As a lecturer on mathematical modeling and an experienced collaborator with biologists and clinicians, Dr. Woodall excels at translating complex data into actionable insights. At Cairina, he applies his expertise in model discovery and computational oncology to advance innovative solutions for personalized cancer treatment, emphasizing precision, optimization, and translational impact.

Jessica Cunningham, Ph.D.

Research Scientist
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Virginia Tech

Dr. Jessica Cunningham is a Research Scientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, where she integrates mathematical modeling and evolutionary ecology to transform our understanding of cancer biology and therapeutic strategies. With a Ph.D. in Mathematical Oncology from Maastricht University, her interdisciplinary expertise spans applied mathematics, computer systems, and ecological principles, offering a unique lens to study cancer as a Darwinian evolutionary process.

Dr. Cunningham’s work bridges theory and clinical application, emphasizing the spatio-temporal dynamics of tumor ecosystems, environmental selection forces, and adaptive therapeutic strategies. Her contributions include developing the mathematical model that informed the first adaptive therapy clinical trial for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, significantly improving patient outcomes by delaying resistance to treatment. She also explores innovative concepts such as intracellular electrodynamics, challenging traditional assumptions about cellular processes and advancing the theoretical understanding of protein dynamics.

With a career rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration, including roles at Moffitt Cancer Research Center, Dr. Cunningham excels in translating complex mathematical frameworks into actionable insights for cancer research and treatment.

At Cairina, she applies her expertise to develop cutting-edge, ecologically informed solutions that enhance oncology treatment planning and precision medicine approaches.