IGERT

Students

Matt Dickerson received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kentucky in 2006, and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering there as well. His current research with Kim Anderson and Leonidas Bachas focuses on the utilization of biological agents to improve implant biocompatibility and the effect of material properties on cell adhesion and proliferation on bioglass surfaces.

Leslie Doleman graduated from Knox Central High School in Barbourville, KY. She obtained a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Kentucky in 2006 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry. As an undergraduate, she published a paper in the journal “Analytical Chemistry” for a DNA hybridization assay for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum, which was the result of a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program. She is also co-author of a chapter in the book Photoproteins in Bioanalysis. Currently, she is working toward the design and development of an in vivo detection system for Crohn’s disease markers with Sylvia Daunert and J. Zach Hilt.

Kyle Fugit received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2008 at the University of Alabama. He is working for his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Kentucky. Kyle works with Brad Anderson and J. Zach Hilt, and his research focuses on using magnetic liposomes for controlled drug release.

Megan Gillespie graduated from Dixie Heights High School in Erlanger, KY. She received her B.S. in Chemistry in 2007, graduating magna cum laude at the University of Kentucky, and continues her work there while pursuing her PhD in Bioanalytical Chemistry. Megan’s research with Leonidas Bachas and Dibakar Bhattacharyya focuses on creating a biofuel cell with thermophilic enzymes, to generate and measure the operating voltage.

In 2008 Ashley Hawkins received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kentucky and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering there as well. Her research with J. Zach Hilt and David Puleo focuses on biodegradable hydrogels as a scaffold to promote new tissue in the growth plate.

Christin Pramudiati Hollis graduated from Frateran Catholic High School in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. She obtained her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kentucky, graduating summa cum laude with a year’s experience of co-op at ISP Chemicals, Inc. As an undergraduate, Christin and J. Zach Hilt, Ph.D., developed a patented polymer-based drug delivery system for Crohn’s disease. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Christin’s research with Tonglei Li and Barbara Knutson focuses on the formulation of an anticancer drug in the form of nanocrystals. It is hypothesized that this novel drug delivery form will be able to circumvent the solubility and stability problems involved with current chemotherapy formulations.

Melissa Howard graduated from Highview Baptist School in Louisville, KY as valedictorian of her class. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Asbury College in May 2007, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences under the guidance of Michael Jay and Tom Dziubla. Her work focuses on the development of smart nanoparticle formulations capable of site-specific and bioresponsive delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors with the end goal being an increase in efficacy and decrease in toxicity of chemotherapeutic treatments.

Scott Lewis graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School in Ashland, KY. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 2006. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Dibakar Bhattacharyya and Sylvia Daunert. Scott’s current research involves the immobilization of free-radical generating reactions in layer by layer assemblies on membranes for disinfection and contaminant destruction.

Samantha Meenach obtained her B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in May 2005 and May 2008, respectively. Prior to graduate work at UK, she spent a year as a graduate student at Arizona State University in Dr. Joseph Wang's laboratory at the Bio-design Institute. Her current research with Kim Anderson and J. Zach Hilt involves evaluating magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites. These nanocomposites are comprised of a hydrogel mesh with embedded iron oxide nanoparticles. The iron oxide nanoparticles provide the hydrogels the ability to be heated with an alternating magnetic field. The combination of heating and drug delivery from the gels is being evaluated for the hyperthermia treatment of cancer.

Brad Newsome graduated from Zane Trace High School in Chillicothe, OH as valedictorian of his class. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Asbury College in May 2005, magna cum laude and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry. The current advances in nanomedicine, and nanotechnology in general, present much concern about how nanoparticles interact in vivo, as compared to their macroscopic equivalent. Brad’s current research with Leonidas Bachas and Tom Dziubla deals with determining the toxicological properties of nanoparticles, specifically the toxicity of alumina nanoparticles.

Daniel Scott graduated from Franklin County High School in Frankfort, KY. He graduated from Georgetown College in 2005, summa cum laude, with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry. Current research with Sylvia Daunert and Kim Anderson includes the development and optimization of hybrid protein molecular switches able to be implemented for in vivo, simultaneous, multiple analyte detection, monitoring, and imaging.

Jonathan Wagner is pursuing his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky. Jonathan’s research with David Rodgers and Bruce Hinds focuses on substrate specificity determinants in neuropeptidases.

In 2008 Marci White received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Franklin College. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky and works with Leonidas Bachas and David Puleo. Their research focuses on the use of biphosphonates as a targeted drug delivery system and to aid in the regeneration of bone after severe trauma, particularly that incurred by military personnel in battle.