Research Scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows
Yuri Mackeyev
Joined in 2003
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, 2002, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia (Thesis: Towards Physical and Chemical Properties of the Fluoro[60]fullerenes Systems with Organic Solvents)
Research Interests:
-Designing, synthesizing and characterizing functionalized novel nanomaterials, i.e. fullerenes and SWCNTs, for potential medical/biological applications, including a series of anti-cancer drugs, with a larger therapeutic index due to protective properties of [60]fullerene.
Sakineh Moghaddam
Joined in 2015
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2013, Shiraz University, Iran (Synthesis of organometallic precursors to heterogeneous nanocatalysts; Characterization of synthesized nanocatalysts; Application of synthesized nanocatalysts in click, coupling and MC reactions.)
Visiting researcher, 2013-2015, Rice University (Profs Kenton H. Whitmire and Rouzbeh Shahsavari Groups)
Research Interests:
-Developing ultra-short single walled carbon nanotubes (US-tubes) as a nano-platform for medical imaging and therapy.
Maciej Serda
Joined in 2015
Master of Engineering (summa cum laude), 2009, Silesian University of Technology, Poland
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2013, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, Poland (Thesis: Synthesis and biological activity of novel analogs of thiosemicarbazone iron chelators)
Lecturer, 2013-2014, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia
Adjunct Professor, 2014 – present, Institute of Chemistry, University of Silesia, Poland
Researcher, Feb. 2015 – Nov. 2015, University of Chicago, USA
Research Interests:
-Conjugating chemotherapeutic agents to nanoparticles, especially fullerenes, for drug delivery applications.
Adem Guven
Returned in 2016
Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2013, Rice University (Thesis: Cisplatin@US-tube Carbon Nanocapsules for Enhanced Chemotherapeutic Delivery)
Research Interests:
-Loading chemotherapeutic drugs into ultra-short carbon nanotubes for drug delivery applications
Graduate Students
Mayra Hernandez-Rivera
Joined in 2011
B.S. in Chemistry, 2011, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
M.A. in Chemistry, 2013, Rice University
Research Interests:
-The synthesis and characterization of intracellular contrast agents for different imaging techniques in order to track mesenchymal stem cells, specifically when these cells are use for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
-Controlling the location of mesenchymal stem cells labeled with magnetic nanoparticles by an external magnetic field. We are applying this method for different clinical applications
Nadia Lara
Joined in 2012
B.S. in Chemistry, 2012, California Institute of Technology
M.A. in Chemistry, 2014, Rice University
Research Interests:
-Radiofrequency heating properties of different ionic and nonionic solutions
-Studying electric properties of biologically relevant solutions in the presence of radiofrequency
Nicholas Zaibaq
Joined in 2013
B.S. in Chemistry, 2013, University of St. Thomas, Houston
M.A. in Chemistry, 2015, Rice University
Research Interests:
-The synthesis and biodistribution of biocompatible C60 fullerenes using PET imaging.
-Studying the enhanced tumor uptake in mice exposed to noninvasive radiofrequency (RF) field.
Stuart Corr
Returned in 2014
B.Eng. in Electronics with Music, 2005, University of Glasgow
M.Eng. in Electronic Systems, 2008, Dublin City University
Ph.D. in Nanoengineering, 2011, Dublin City University
Research Interests:
-Studying radiofrequency thermal effects on nanomaterials for cancer therapy
-Conjugating chemotherapeutic drugs to nanoparticles for drug delivery
-Studying bioelectric properties for radiofrequency treatment optimization at Baylor College of Medicine
Undergraduate Students
Asad Haidar
Joined in 2013
Senior Undergraduate: B.A. in Chemistry
Research Interests:
-The effect of kosmotropes on the conductivity and heating rate of biologically-relevant saline solutions.
Michael Collins
Joined in 2014
Senior Undergraduate: B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. Kinesiology
Research Interests:
-Water-soluble fullerene derivatives with copper ion chelate for biodistribution and RF studies
Trevor Jamison
Joined in 2015
Sophomore Undergraduate: B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Research Interests:
-Studying the degree and mechanism of uptake of water-soluble fullerene derivatives by T cells