(4f) Conjugated Polymer Semiconductor for Electronics, Optoelectronics, Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Conjugated polymer semiconductors have attracted significant interest due to their potential application in low cost plastic electronics and optoelectronics. They also represent a novel class of promising alternative nanomaterials for diagnostics and therapeutics. The ability to engineer the electronic structures of organic/polymer semiconductors using molecular design and synthesis and understand structure-property relationships are essential for developing novel materials for the next generation high-performance organic electronics, and for early detection and targeted delivery of therapeutics. During my graduate studies, the focus of my research was on engineering the electronic structures of organic semiconductors using molecular design and synthesis and understanding structure-property relationships that are essential for developing the next generation, high-performance, low-cost organic electronics including field-effect transistors, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells. Currently, the focus of my postdoctoral work with Timothy Swager at MIT is to develop a modular platform that combines fluorescent probe, targeting ligands and therapeutics in multicomponent conjugated polymer nanoparticles with tunable photophysical properties for early detection of biological analytes, in vivo dual imaging and multi-targeted drug delivery. This versatile platform allows for independent tuning of optical properties, targeting agents, and nanoparticle size.  As an independent investigator, I am interested in developing a highly interdisciplinary research program at the interface of synthetic organic chemistry, materials science and engineering and biomedical diagnostics and delivery of therapeutic agents. My research interests broadly include: (i) synthesis of novel and functional organic/ polymer semiconductors; (ii) device engineering (field-effect transistors, photovoltaics, lasers, organic spintronics); (iii) self-assembly and morphology of organic/polymer semiconductors, block copolymers, nanowires and multicomponent nanostructures; and to (iv) develop multiblock copolymers for diagnostics and therapeutics.