Natalia Matiuto

Natalia Matiuto is a PhD candidate in the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences and Clinical Investigation in the Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research focuses on mitochondrial transplantation for vascular complications in diabetes. Natalia also holds a leadership role in the Northwestern Biotech Group and Nucleate Chicago. 

How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience? 
My research focuses on developing a therapy to improve wound healing in people with diabetes. The idea stems from an innovative concept called mitochondrial transplantation, which was discovered relatively recently. Mitochondria are the cell's energy generators, but in diabetes they often become impaired, leaving tissues without the energy they need to heal properly. My work involves taking these "generators" from healthy cells and finding a way to safely deliver them to a wound to help jump-start the healing process. 

What do you find both rewarding and challenging about your research and/or work? 
I enjoy digging deep into a research question to figure out where I can make the biggest impact. Designing and troubleshooting experiments can be frustrating, but when something finally works, it feels like you've solved a mystery that no one else has cracked. A PhD definitely teaches you how to troubleshoot, stay resilient, and learn from your mistakes quickly. 

How do you unwind after a long day? 
I definitely take advantage of having Lake Michigan just steps away from our downtown campus. Whether it's going for a walk or bringing a blanket to relax by the water on a sunny day, spending time by the lake always helps me recharge. 

What did you originally want to be when you grew up? 
I was always naturally curious and had a lot of interests as a kid. I think I cycled through every possible career I wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, or even an accountant. They all stemmed from the same desire to try everything. I eventually found my way to the life sciences because they offer endless opportunities to keep learning, explore different paths, and make a meaningful impact by improving human health. 

Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you. 
This summer, I'm taking a break from my PhD to complete a fellowship at Flagship Pioneering, a venture creation firm based in Boston. I've loved learning how breakthrough biotech companies are built from the ground up and experiencing innovation in a fast-paced startup environment. It's been exciting to work on ideas that have the potential to become the next generation of scientific and medical breakthroughs. 

What are you most proud of in your career to date? 
I'm proud of helping build a stronger biotech community in Chicago through my involvement with the Northwestern Biotech Group and Nucleate Chicago. Both organizations are focused on making biotech more inclusive and accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Over the past few years, I've seen both communities grow in membership and visibility, and I hope the work I contributed helped set them up for continued success long after I move on. 

Published Date: July 28, 2026