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 …
Summer in the PDNano Lab: Two NURF Students Take On the Brain and the Bowel
This summer, the PD[N]ano Lab hosted two NDnano Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NURF) students, Jack Latilla Campbell and Kolbe Schlosser, both of the University of Notre Dame. Working at the intersection of nanoscience, engineering, and precision medicine, each took on one of oncology’s hardest problems: how to kill a tumor without poisoning the patient. Chemotherapy has …
Congratulations to Carlie Kudary on Passing Her Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
The PD[N]ano Lab is delighted to announce that Carlie Kudary has successfully passed her Ph.D. qualifying examination in the Bioengineering Program at the University of Notre Dame, housed in the Department of Civil, Environmental Engineering, and Earth Sciences on August 20, 2026. Passing the qualifying exam is the milestone that formally marks the transition from …
NIH Funding Opportunities
- Notice of Early Expiration of PAR-25-229, "Investigator Initiated Innovation in Computational Genomics and Data Science (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" September 4, 2026Notice NOT-HG-26-002 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of Early Expiration of PAR-25-228, "Investigator Initiated Innovation in Computational Genomics and Data Science (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" September 4, 2026Notice NOT-HG-26-001 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of budget change in RFA-HL-27-004 "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" September 3, 2026Notice NOT-HL-26-010 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of Informational Webinar on the NIGMS Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Centers Program September 2, 2026Notice NOT-GM-26-011 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
- Notice of Informational Webinar: F and K Awards Demystified: Strategies for Biomedical Career Success NIAID Virtual Outreach activity September 16th and 17th, 2026 September 1, 2026Notice NOT-AI-26-016 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
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