(79e) Nanostructures for Nanozymes in Biosensors and Antimicrobial Surfaces

The manipulation of materials’ nanostructure is a key tool in all areas of material science. At the nanoscale, materials boast a higher surface-to-volume ratio compared to bulk materials, enhancing reactivity—a boon for catalyst development. 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. 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. Our future research lab will primarily focus on three thrusts: (1) developing affordable biosensors and point-of-care devices for monitoring health, water, and air quality, (2) tuning nanostructured materials to mimic natural enzymes, and (3) investigating thin films for cells compatibility 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:

During my postdoctoral research, I developed electrochemically etched nanotextured stainless steel surface for combating drug-resistant microbes by leveraging contact killing mechanisms, which induce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation, DNA fragmentation, and depolarization of bacterial membranes, ultimately leading to microbial eradication. To validate the efficacy of this approach, we conducted various assays, including measurement of cytochrome C levels in mitochondria, assessment of cell viability through live/dead staining, and quantification of ROS production using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, kinetic assays, and colony-forming unit (CFU) assays. Furthermore, I'm intrigued by exploring the compatibility of nanotextured steel with osteoblast cells for potential implant applications.

I studied a novel class of biosensors using GLAD nanostructured thin films during my PhD research. GLAD, a physical vapor deposition method, exploits atomic shadowing and precise motion control to craft nanostructures boasting high surface area and internal porosity. These thin films were then treated with nitrogen plasma, enhancing their catalytic activity to closely mimic peroxidase enzymes, known as nanozymes. Leveraging the peroxidase-like activity of these nanozymes, we developed paper-based colorimetric sensors for uric acid detection and electrochemical sensors for assessing food freshness.

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.

Teaching Experience:

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