A team of biomedical engineers and mathematical oncologists has launched Cairina Inc., a company specializing in advanced image analysis and computational modeling to improve cancer treatment planning.
Founded by researchers from Virginia Tech and City of Hope, Cairina provides oncologists with highly detailed, 3D-rendered tumor models that enhance drug delivery, radiotherapy planning, and surgical guidance. By mapping interstitial fluid flow within tumors, the company’s technology offers new insights into cancer progression and treatment response.
“Our platform helps clinicians anticipate how cancer cells move and how treatments interact with the tumor microenvironment,” said Jennifer Munson, Cairina’s president and director of the Cancer Research Center at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. “This level of precision has the potential to improve patient outcomes.”
Cairina’s approach is inspired by the 1992 ‘Friendly Floatees’ oceanographic experiment, which tracked rubber ducks across the ocean to study currents. Applying similar principles, Cairina’s software models fluid dynamics inside tumors, predicting how cancer spreads and how therapies can be optimized. Unlike traditional imaging methods, the software integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows, requiring no additional scans or specialized equipment.
Leadership Team
Cairina is led by:
- Jennifer Munson, Ph.D. – President, Virginia Tech
- Caleb Stine, Ph.D. – Vice President
- Russell Rockne, Ph.D. – Director of Mathematical Oncology, City of Hope
- Ryan Woodall, Ph.D. – Assistant Research Professor, City of Hope’s Beckman Research Institute
- Jessica Cunningham, Ph.D. – Research Scientist, Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Cairina is forming research partnerships and pursuing licensing opportunities with major medical firms.
For more information, message Cairina at [email protected].
