Center for Nanoscale Materials and Biointegration

Dr. Eugenia Kharlampieva Awarded a NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award

NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER)

“CNMB member and a faculty member in the UAB Department of Chemistry Dr. Eugenia Kharlampieva has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Award entitled “CAREER: Shape Responses of Ultrathin Hydrogel Microcapsules” for a five year period 2014-2019. This is one of the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations”

2007 NSF REU Taoreed “Larry” Lawal is back in the News

Southern Education Desk, a consortium of public media stations in AL, GA, LA, MS and TN aired Money Tight, Scientist Turn to “Crowdfunding” Research . The broadcast highlighted Larry Lawal’s HealthFundit as a source of this discussoin. You can also check out WBHM’s local story.

Dr. Claudiu T Lungu Awarded a National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Grant

CNMB Member Dr. Claudiu T Lungu Awarded a National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Grant (CDC/DHHS R21, Total amount for two years: 09/01/2013 – 08/31/2015: $398,672)

Lungu The goal of this study is to develop a new technique that allows accurate sampling of gases and vapors at low levels.

Dr. Lungu is investigating a new process of using pulsed visible light to release chemicals from new substrates based on carbon nanotubes. These substrates will be used in air sampling devices for volatile organic compounds and gases for workplace or environmental monitoring. This research could potential lead to a new generation of air samplers that may be faster, cheaper, and more sensitive than the currently available models.

Dr. Eugenia Kharlampieva Awarded a NSF Biomaterials Grant

Dr. Eugenia Kharlampieva Awarded a National Science Foundation Biomaterials Grant
Immunomodulatory Ultrathin Multilayer Coatings for Pancreatic islet Transplantation NSF-DMR1306110, program of Biomaterials (BMAT)
This grant will supports the development of a novel type of cytoprotective material with controlled immunomodulatory and inflammatory responses to be used for cell-basedtransplantation therapy for diabetic recipients. This project is in collaboration between departments of Chemistry (Eugenia Kharlampieva, PI) and Microbiology (Hubert Tse, coPI). Although transplantation of pancreatic islet cells has emerged as a promising treatment for Type 1 diabetes, its clinical application remains limited due to adverse effects of immunosuppression and declining allograft function. The awarded project will develop a preclinical approach to preserve islet viability and function during culturing and transplantation by protecting pancreatic islets (cell clusters) with a novel polymer coating. These coatings will be designed through hydrogen-bonded assembly of cytocompatible macromolecules with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This project is particularly timely since current islet encapsulation systems are challenging for transplantations due to high cytotoxicity and the requirement for large injection volumes. The design of novel immunoprotective materials will open new prospects for developing biomaterials with unique characteristics having applications in various bio-related areas such as bioengineering and tissue engineering. The awarded project will develop interdisciplinary collaborative research which should stimulate awareness of the needs of the UAB biomedical research community for specialized polymer-based biomaterials as novel platforms for cell transplantation therapy.

REU Larry Lawal entered the Alabama Launchpad Competition

Larry Lawal entered the Alabama Launchpad Competition

Larry Lawal entered the Alabama Launchpad startup business competition and out of 27 contestants, he made the cut to the Top 10. The Top 10 will be considered for prizes totaling $100,000. Per al.com, “Healthfundit: is the only peer-reviewed, subscription-based crowd funding portal for health research and biotechnology at academic institutions. Team leader is Larry Lawal. Based in Birmingham.”

Each contestant will present their plans to a panel of judges on July 12, 2013. We wish Larry good luck and we’re certainly proud of this accomplishment.

Crowdfunding Panel Discussion

On June 13, 2013, Larry served on a panel to discuss “Crowd-funding” which is essentially a network of people that pool their money together to support the ventures of members of the network. Larry was idea for this panel given his recent startup: Healthfundit. We wish Larry continued success in his efforts to develop and grow his business.

2012: Congratulations to Taoreed “Larry” Lawal for being the recipient of the 2012 Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award. Larry continues to impress with his diligence in seeking opportunities that will serve the research community well.

HealthFundit website will not launch until November 2013, but you can “like” it Facebook and follow on Twitter.

2012 REU Aditi Naik Invited to National Collegiate Conference

Congratulations to Aditi Naik

Aditi Naik, a participant in our 2012 REU program, has been invited by the Harvard College Undergraduate Research Association to attend the National Collegiate Research Conference 2013. The conference will be held January 24-26, 2013 at Harvard University. Aditi was selected from a pool of approximately 400 applicants. The conference’s overall mission is one of promoting interdisciplinary research among Harvard undergraduates. The NCRC’s expanded reach offers students like Aditi tremendous opportunities to network with peers, educators and industry professionals. Aditi will showcase her REU research by presenting a poster and I am sure she’ll be a shining example for the REU program.

Congratulations Aditi Naik.