Research Focus Areas
Custom Synthesis of Metal/Porous Nanoparticles
Nanotoxicology
Biomedical Image Contrast Agents
Precision Nanoprobes
Molecular Nanotechnology
Custom Synthesis of Metal/Porous Nanoparticles
Standardized synthesis of Gold nanoparticles (nanoclusters, 5 nm, 10 nm, 16 nm) Silver nanoparticles (nanoclusters, 10 nm, 40 nm, 95 nm) Iron oxide nanoparticles (10 nm) Gadolinium oxide (5 nm, 10 nm) Hafnium oxide (5 nm, 10 nm) Microporous silica particles (15 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm, 400 nm) Other nanoparticles currently being optimized include …
Nanotoxicology
Nanotoxicity assessment is an integral part of designing biomedical probes. In vitro toxicity of nanoparticles is assessed using murine (L929) and human cell lines (HUVEC, RAW246.7). In vivo toxicity was assessed in zebrafish models, and in vivo biodistribution/blood pool kinetics was assessed in athymic and euthymic mouse models. Representative Publications …
Biomedical Image Contrast Agents
Scaled up the synthesis of nanoparticle contrast agents. I specialize in the synthesis of long emission lifetime, fluorescent and photoluminescent nanoparticles. This is achieved by modifying Au cores with fluorophore embedded shells or Au nanoclusters with tunable photoluminescence. Fluorescent silica particles with sizes ranging from 15 nm to 400 nm are also available. Such probes …
Precision Nanoprobes
Antibody-drug conjugates are emerging as a frontrunner in precision targeted therapeutics. However, this capability is still beyond the ability of most academic laboratories. The primary reason for this is the need to identify a precise binding site on the constant region of the antibody (Fc) for the drug molecule to be conjugated, while not affecting …
Molecular Nanotechnology
This is the current focus of my research. Utilizing anisotropic and hybrid nanoparticle architectures to introduce directionality in motion, precisely orienting targeting molecules and directed exertion of force by nanosystems. Anisotropic nanoparticles can be Janus hybrids or non-spherical nanoparticles and include rods, plates, prisms, and core-shells. This will lay the basis for nanomotors and nanomachines …
pdnano Lab Awarded BIPH Technology Bridge Fund for Ovarian Cancer Nanomedicine
Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health · Technology Bridge Fund We’re delighted to announce that the pdnano lab has received a Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health (BIPH) Technology Bridge Fund award. The Technology Bridge program supports promising precision-health projects in generating the additional preliminary data needed to strengthen high-impact grant resubmissions. The funded project — Multispecific …
AY 2026 in Review: PD[N]ano Lab Highlights Featured in the Provost’s TPAC-RL May 2026 Newsletter
The Provost’s TPAC-RL Faculty Newsletter (Spring 2026) went out this week, and I’m grateful that several of the lab’s milestones from the past academic year were included in the round-up of faculty achievements. The newsletter is sent to the university’s Teaching, Professor of the Practice, Advising, Clinical, Research, and Library faculty community, and it’s a …
NIH Funding Opportunities
- Notice of Early Expiration for NCI's Cancer Research Education Program Notices of Funding Opportunity PAR-23-276, PAR-23-277 and PAR-23-278 June 18, 2026Notice NOT-CA-26-017 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of Early Expiration of PAR-25-318 "Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" June 18, 2026Notice NOT-DC-26-007 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Request for Information (RFI): Future Direction of the NLM G13 Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health Program June 18, 2026Notice NOT-LM-26-002 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Request for Information on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact June 18, 2026Notice NOT-OD-26-087 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
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