(2jn) Colloidal science and macromolecular interactions: Leveraging soft materials in medicine and sustainability

My research expertise lies at the interface of colloidal science and macromolecules where surface phenomena dominate. For my independent research, I will apply my skills on polymeric soft materials and physical chemistry of interfaces to develop technologies in field of biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery, and enzyme-immobilized materials. My lab will carry out studies on interface of colloidal science, biomacromolecules and material design to develop technologies in medicine (drug formulation), drug process development and functional materials. In my independent research, I will develop (A): platforms for local delivery of large molecule drugs; (B): Processes and formulations for pulmonary delivery of biologics; (C): enzyme-immobilized functional materials for environmentally friendly processes. From a fundamental perspective, my work is aimed to unravel interactions of biomacromolecules with polymers.

During my PhD at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and my postdoctoral training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), my research has been emphasized on interfacial phenomena and biomacromolecules. In my PhD, under Dr. Clint Aichele and Dr. Joshua Ramsey, I developed bio-inspired superhydrophilic soft materials that could enhance conformational stability of enzymes and antibodies by enhancing the hydrophobic effects in solution. My research experience includes working in lab facilities specialized for colloids, polymer synthesis, interfacial phenomena, materials synthesis/characterization, surfactant behavior, and emulsion characterization. In my PhD thesis, I examined microscale zwitterionic hydrogels (hydrated polymeric networks) for encapsulation/release, stabilization, and immobilization of proteins.

For the development of my independent research program, I will focus on developing new technologies integrating soft materials and biomacromolecules. To improve my knowledge of techniques related to soft materials and develop a research program designed around colloidal science and biomacromolecules, I joined Prof. Patrick Doyle’s lab at MIT. During my postdoctoral tenure I have worked on an industry sponsored project to develop novel platforms for high concentration protein formulations (2 papers in consideration of publication, 1 under preparation). I leveraged protein crystal formation with use of soft materials to generate a novel crystal laden formulation of monoclonal antibodies and filed for a PCT patent based on our invention.

Successful establishing of my lab and completion of the proposed research aims will have transformative advancements both in science and in technology of the biologics formulations/delivery and advanced functional materials. From a scientific perspective, my work will shed light on interactions of biomacromolecules with polymeric networks and the consequent effects on conformational and colloidal behaviors of such macromolecules. My work will also help unravel effects of processes such as freeze drying on tuning and texturing of soft materials. Furthermore, my lab will elucidate cell materials interactions. From technology development perspective, my work is intended to generate processes and materials to facilitate the developability and manufacturability of hydrogel-based technologies for treatments and industrial usage.

Teaching Interests

Through three semesters as a lab TA and four semesters as a recitation TA in core Chemical Engineering courses, I have had the opportunity to examine my interests and philosophy in teaching and improve my communication skills.

During my PhD at Oklahoma State University, teaching and mentoring students was an important part of my tenure. I taught the unit operations lab for three semesters. My interest in teaching and mentorship was observed by the students and the course manager early on. “When standing alongside our students, he (Amir) teaches them and he clearly enjoys watching students learn, students are not afraid to expose their technical weakness to him, such students sometimes end up regarding him as a mentor.” (Course manager, unit operations lab) I was able to share my industry experience with the students, motivating the students by explaining the usefulness of the materials they attempted to learn. “Amir’s performance in this course was nothing short of excellent.” (Course manager, unit operations lab)

I have also mentored several undergraduate students in research projects, and have trained new group members in lab, working closely with them to help improve their research skills as well as their oral and written communication skills. Two of these students received scholarships that helped them through their careers and continue research. Mentoring student have significantly helped me in managing mentor/student interactions. Fostering curiosity will be an important part of my efforts in teaching. “He (Amir) challenges students to think on their feet, but he is very careful not to embarrass them.” (Course manager, unit operations lab, January 2018). My mentorship goal would be to cherish creativity and curiosity.

At OSU, I took part in the Teaching and Learning Excellence Workshop. Similarly at MIT I have participated part in the Kaufman Teaching Program at the Teaching and Learning Laboratory at MIT to further develop my teaching skills. I have completed a teaching certificate program based on seven workshops aimed at development of teaching skills. The program included exposure to relevant research in teaching/learning and structuring of future teaching. Furthermore, I have presented two short teaching sessions which were videotaped, and from which I received feedback on my teaching performance as well as gave feedback to other participants.

My background and experience have prepared me to teach undergraduate core courses in Chemical Engineering especially courses that include topics in thermodynamics, chemical and biological engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, separation processes, interfacial phenomena, and unit operations. Having industrial scale operation experience and working in multiple lab facilities I would be very comfortable in teaching lab courses such as general chemistry, physical chemistry, and unit operations.

I am also eager to develop interdisciplinary courses for senior undergraduate or graduate students such as advanced surface phenomena (physical chemistry of interfaces), physical chemistry for biosciences, colloids and surfactant science, and advanced unit operations. I am open to learning new materials to teach other courses and would be excited to collaborate with other instructors on multidisciplinary courses especially in topics related to medicine, drug delivery, therapeutics, diagnostics, and nonscience principles.

Selected Publications (out of 21 research articles)

1. Amir Erfani, Jeremy M. Schieferstein, Paul Reichert, Chakravarthy N. Narasimhan, Cinthia Pastuskovas, Vaishali Parab, Denarra Simmons, Xiaoyu Yang, Apoorv Shanker, Paula Hammond, Patrick S. Doyle, “Crystalline antibody laden alginate hydrogel particles: a platform for enabling high concentration subcutaneous delivery of biologics” under consideration of publication.
2. Amir Erfani, Abanoub Hanna, Payam Zarrintaj, Joshua Ramsey, Clint Aichele, “Biodegradable Zwitterionic Poly(Carboxybetaine) Microgels for Sustained Delivery of Antibodies with Extended Stability and Preserved Function”, Soft Matter, (2021).
3. Amir Erfani, Payam Zarrintaj, Joshua Ramsey, Clint Aichele, “Zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine) microscale hydrogels for enzyme (chymotrypsin) covalent immobilization with extended stability and activity”, Applied Polymer Science (2021). (Cover article)
4. Amir Erfani, Kosma Szutkowski, Clint Aichele, Jeffery White, “Diffusion, interactions, and disparate kinetic trapping of water–hydrocarbon mixtures in nanoporous solids”, Langmuir (2021).
5. Amir Erfani, Nicholas H. Flynn, Clint P. Aichele, Joshua D. Ramsey, “Encapsulation and release of protein from zwitterionic poly sulfobetaine hydrogels”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, (2020). (Cover article)
6. Amir Erfani, Josh Seaberg, Clint P. Aichele, Joshua D. Ramsey, “Interactions between biomolecules and zwitterionic moieties: a review”, Journal of Biomacromolecules, (2020). (IF=5.7, Cover Article)