Luciano Costa e Silva
Research Assistant/Technician III (2026-present)
luciano_costa_e_silva@sfu.ca
Research
I bring expertise in antibody discovery and engineering to support the lab’s viral immunogen and broadly neutralizing antibody programs. My work focuses on the design, selection, and optimization of antibody therapeutics. I contribute to multiple ongoing projects, including the development of cross-neutralizing antibodies against human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV), the engineering of influenza antibodies for enhanced cross-reactivity, and the characterization of coronavirus-directed responses. I also support the lab’s efforts in the development of mRNA-based antibody delivery systems. My experience in biophysical characterization techniques, including biolayer interferometry and size exclusion chromatography, helps bridge structural insights with functional antibody properties to guide rational immunogen design approaches.
Other Interests
Outside of science, music and sport have been defining threads throughout my life. Growing up in Brazil, I was on track for a career in professional soccer — until, at 17, I picked up an electric guitar and everything changed. Though neither path became a profession, both left lasting marks. I play guitar almost daily, treating it as a creative practice and a way to think differently. I also read widely — across philosophy, religion, economics, and the arts — driven by a genuine curiosity about the world and the questions that don’t have easy answers.
Pantophlet Lab 
Pantophlet Lab