(4kj) Bridging Materials to Biology: Tuning Nanostructure for Better Understanding of Nanozymes and Biomimetics

The manipulation of materials’ nanostructure is a key tool in all areas of material science. Nanoscale materials exhibit higher surface volume than bulk materials. One benefit of the high surface area is improved reactivity which can lead to the development of efficient catalysts. This can be further used for developing biosensors, point of care (POC) devices, antibacterial surfaces, scaffolds for drug delivery in implants, and mimicking biological catalysts. Therefore, my interest lies at the intersection of material science, bioengineering, biocatalysts, and microbiology. My research group would aspire to lead the discipline toward currently inaccessible design spaces for dense bulk materials by exploring new pathways for nanostructure materials and controlling their features by electrochemical etching method and physical vapor deposition. The primary goal of my future research lab will be focused to pursue three main research thrusts using the nanostructured materials: (1) affordable biosensors and point-of-care devices for monitoring health, water, and air quality, (2) understanding nanostructured materials for mimicking natural enzymes, and (3) Investigating thin films for delivery in cells and combating drug-resistant bacteria. These endeavors will confront pivotal challenges in engineering, focusing on stimuli-responsive materials in healthcare, microbiology, and bioengineering and mimicking catalytic activities of natural biological catalysts, such as enzymes.

Research Experience:

In my postdoc, I studied electrochemically etched nanotextured film for antimicrobial surfaces to inhibit drug resistant bacteria. This showed microbes can be killed by contact killing which generates ROS, fragments DNA, and depolarizes the bacterial membrane. We further confirmed the induced stress by measuring cytochrome C levels in mitochondria, live/dead cells and ROS generation using a flow cytometer, confocal microscope, kinetic run, and CFU assay. My further research interests include nanotextured steel’s compatibility with osteoblast cells and delivery in cells for implants. Additionally, I am studying targeted delivery of mRNA-hybrid lipid nanocapsules for the treatment of cancer, which includes delivering nanocapsules, immunoassay, and IVIS imaging.

My doctoral dissertation involves developing a new class of colorimetric and electrochemical biosensors using modified nanostructured thin films. I have used Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) technique with an electron beam evaporation as a vapor source, to fabricate nanostructured Ni thin films of different thicknesses and shapes. GLAD is a physical vapor deposition technique that exploits atomic shadowing and dynamic motion control to engineer nanostructures with high surface area and high internal porosity. These Ni GLAD films were used as peroxidase-like nanozymes for paper based colorimetric sensing of uric acid and enzymatic electrochemical sensing of food freshness.

Teaching Experience:

• Course co-instructor – CHE 243, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (Jan 2021)
• Teaching Assistant – CHE 243 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (Sept 2021, May 2021, Sept 2020, May 2020, Sept 2019)
• Teaching Assistant – MATE 494/694 Nanostructured Materials MATE 494/694 (Jan 2019)

Teaching interests

I am interested in teaching chemical engineering core courses including thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and fluid dynamics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Based on my training in teaching and research, I am further excited to teach electrochemistry and analytical chemistry. Additionally, I plan to develop new chemical engineering courses at the undergraduate or graduate level, which will be focused on nanostructured materials fabrication and their application in various sectors such as health and energy.