PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Ulrich J. Krull
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Krull is a professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). He holds the endowed AstraZeneca Chair in Biotechnology. He presently serves as Vice-President of the University of Toronto, and as the Principal of the UTM campus. He has also held the positions of Dean of Science, Vice-Principal: Research, and Vice-Principal: Special Initiatives. His research work explores biosensors, bioassays, microfluidics and nanomaterials, to create technology with applications in clinical/medical, forensic, agricultural and environmental areas. His research team has produced over 250 refereed publications, 60 book chapters, and a dozen patents. Work by his research team has been integral to the launch of four start-up companies. A Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, he has received both the McBryde Medal and the Maxxam Award of the Canadian Society for Chemistry (the top awards for analytical chemistry research in Canada). He has been a recipient of the University of Toronto Faculty Excellence Award and a UTM Teaching Excellence Award. Krull is the lead editor of Analytica Chimica Acta, a top journal for publications of analytical chemistry research. He has served on numerous industry advisory boards, and with organizations that support start-up companies. He led the creation of the UTM Master of Biotechnology program, the UTM laboratory infrastructure known as the Centre for Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, the UTM Institute for Management and Innovation, and the predecessor of the Research Innovation Commercialization Centre that now serves the Region of Peel as part of the Ontario Network of Excellence for business support. |
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Dr. Vishal Kale (Post Doc.)
Dr. Balmiki Kumar (Post Doc.)
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Karan Malhotra (Ph.D. Candidate)
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Karan completed his H.B.Sc. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2016. He worked with Dr. Omair Noor in the Chemical Sensors Group during his senior thesis on paper-based analytical devices for detection of nucleic acids. Karan started his M.Sc. in 2016 working on technology related to luminescent upconverting nanoparticles for applications in biological systems. Outside of research, Karan has been a reviewer for the student-run, Canadian journal “Health Science Inquiry”. In 2017, Karan became the Social Director for the UTM Association of Graduate Students (UTMAGS). For more information on UTMAGS visit http://utmags.sa.utoronto.ca/. |
David Horvat (Ph.D. Candidate)
Philip Rolo (M.Sc. Candidate)
Hamna Fayyaz (M.Sc. Candidate)
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Hamna completed her H.B.Sc. in Chemistry and Forensic Science from the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2016. During this time, she interned at the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore where she used various analytical techniques to determine the identity of an unknown compound found in confiscated narcotics. In her final year at UTM, she completed a team based undergraduate thesis project through the Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (AIRLab) course. The team attempted to create a portable device capable of identifying species for applications in cases of food fraud. Hamna started her M.Sc. in 2017, working on paper-based technology for sample preparation and signal amplification. |
Alex Escobar (M.Sc. Candidate)
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Alex Escobar received his H.B.Sc. at UTM with a specialist in biotechnology and a major in chemistry. He worked for GL Chemtec International Ltd where he gained industry experience in the pharmaceuticals and biomedical devices field. He is interested in researching paper-based analytical devices and exploring the practical developments possible with paper microfluidic technologies. He is currently exploring the use of gold nanoparticles in detecting potentially pathogenic microorganisms on a paper substrate. |
Grace (Yue) Qu (M.Sc. Candidate)
Justin Van Houten (Summer Research Fellowship Student)
VISITING SCIENTISTS
Dr. Anna Shahmuradyan
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Anna completed her H.B.Sc. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Toronto Mississauga in 2013. She worked with Dr. Omair Noor in the Chemical Sensors Group during her CHM489 senior thesis project on paper-based analytical devices for detection of nucleic acids. Anna completed her Ph.D. in CSG in 2019. The goal of her project was to design a paper-based assay that will allow for detection of non-labeled nucleic acid targets, thereby simplifying the sample preparation process. In addition to work, Anna is running a tutoring center, Academy for Mathematics and English Canadian Place location. |
Dr. Sreekumari Nair
Dr. Lisa Studnicki
Dr. Gamil Alhakimi
CHM489Y UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECT STUDENTS
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS
Phoebe Chan (Volunteer)
Li Xuan (Volunteer/Work-study)
CSG ALUMNI
Graduate and Course-based Research Students
R.S. Brown; M.Sc. Student, Intrinsic fibre optic supported chemoreceptive membrane biosensor based on evanescent wave stimulation (Joint Supervisor).
E. Vandenberg (nee King); Ph.D. Student, Neural system investigation for analytical device potential (Joint Supervisor).
J. Brennan; M.Sc. Student, Manipulation of phase structure in lipid membranes for development of optical and electrochemical biosensors.
R.S. Brown; Ph.D. Student, Optical transduction of artificial chemoreception.
A. Helluy, Visiting Graduate Student (from Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie et de Physique de Bordeaux, France), Surface plasmon resonance
microscopy of lipid monolayers.
J.D. Brennan, Ph.D. Student, Characterization of self‑quenching of NBD‑PE in lipid membranes and covalently immobilized surfactant films.
P. Piunno, M.Sc. Student, Fibre‑optic sensors for DNA.
R.F. DeBono, Ph.D. Student, Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and microscopy (Joint supervisor).
J. Shrive, Ph.D. Student, Fluorescence investigations of lipid membrane structure and protein interactions with lipid films.
L. Anderson, M.Sc. Student, Immobilization and study of DNA oligomers on optical fibers.
M. Heimlich, Ph.D. Student, Pyroelectric, plasmon and other surface relaxation phenomena for optical sensor development.
D. Bagby, M.Sc. Student, Investigation of fluorescent dyes for development of a fiber-optic biosensor for detection of DNA hybridization.
P. Piunno, Ph.D. Student, DNA oligomer synthesis on optical fibers by automated synthesis.
S. Jakeway, M.Sc. Student, Investigations of dyes to detect DNA hybridization for fiber-optic sensors.
J. Watterson, M.Sc. Student, Control of DNA hybridization/denaturation at interfaces for detection of mutations.
L. Henke, Ph.D. Student, Investigations of non-selective interferences in fluorescence studies of DNA hybridization.
D. Hanafi‑Bagby, Ph.D. Student, Development of an electro-optic fiber optic DNA biosensor.
J. Watterson, Ph.D. Student, Control of kinetics and thermodynamics of DNA hybridization at solid interfaces.
T. Mann, M.Sc. Student, Sample preparation for introduction of genomic and RNA materials to fiber-optic biosensors
S. Dicks, M.Sc. Student, Immobilization of gradients of DNA for biochips.
A. Wong, M.Sc. Student, Structural characterization of immobilized DNA on fused silica.
M. Massey, M.Sc. Student, Development of molecular beacon technology using tethered fluorescent dyes.
X. Wang, Ph.D. Student, Tethered dyes to detect DNA hybridization using fiber-optic biosensors.
Y. Ye, Ph.D. Student, DNA immobilization onto CVD GaAs semiconductor surfaces.
W.R. Algar, MSc Student, Detection of DNA hybridization by FRET emission.
Y. Kravtsova, MSc Student, Optical polarization of gold tipped nanorods for detection of selective binding interactions
J. Cauchi, MSc Student, Microfluidics for development of a gradient-based nucleic acid detection strategy using fluorescence
A. Wong, Ph.D. Student, Structural characterization of mixed films of DNA.
Y. Lim, Ph.D. Student, Development of mixed films of DNA and polyelectrolyte.
T. Al-Sarraj, Ph.D. Student, Molecular modeling for design of selectivity of immobilized DNA probes.
L. Chen, Ph.D. Student, Microfluidic methods to control DNA hybridization selectivity.
W.R. Algar, PhD Student, Quantum dot biosensors for detection of DNA hybridization by FRET emission.
O. Noor, MSc Student, Gradient-based nucleic acid detection using fluorescence in microfluidic channels.
M. Massey, Ph.D. Student, FRET methods for detection of DNA hybridization.
L. Chong, MSc Student, Transfection of cells with quantum dot bioprobes.
T. Mahmud, MSc Student, Investigation of zwitterionic coatings to reduce non-specific adsorption on QD bioprobes.
S. Kamaluddin, MSc Student, Development of QD bioprobes for mRNA targets.
E. Petryayeva, MSc Student, Localized surface plasmon resonance in conjunction with quantum dots for development of bioprobes.
A. Chan, MSc-Ph.D. Student, DNA extraction methods based on polymerized ssDNA gels and membranes.
L. Fedoryshin, MSc Student, Photo-activated release of drug from upconverting nanoparticles.
A. Tavares, PhD Student, Microfluidics for development of quantum dot biosensors.
O. Noor, PhD Student, Microfluidic assays using immobilized quantum dots
U. Uddayasankar, PhD Student, Molecular beacons on quantum dots.
M. DaCosta, PhD Student, Microfluidics for preparation of quantum dot bioprobes.
S. Doughan, PhD Student, Aptamers and QDs with upconverting nanoparticles.
K. Malhotra, MSc Student, Detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ∆F508 gene mutation using a paper-based nucleic acid hybridization assay and a smartphone camera.
H. Najib, MSc Student, Study of upconversion nanoparticles coated with alendronate and PEG-conjugated aldendronate.
M. Shahrukh, MSc Student, Rational Design and Synthesis of sub-15nm upconverting nanoparticles for improved LRET efficiency
Y. Han, PhD Student, Aptamers and Dyes for Upconverting Nanoparticles
R. Fuku, MSc Student, Design and Synthesis of Phosphonate-Based Multidentate Polymeric Ligands for Improving Optical and Colloidal Stability of Upconverting Nanoparticles
Post‑Doctoral Fellows and Research Associates
Dr. W. Surewicz (PDF), Spectroscopic investigation of receptor action in supported lipid membranes.
Dr. J. Tedesco (PDF), Chemoreceptor isolation and characterization.
Dr. A. Safarzadeh‑Amiri (PDF), Spectroscopic investigations of receptor action in lipid matrices.
Dr. M. Cappelli (PDF), Fluorescence lifetime variation for quantitative transduction of receptor‑based selective binding interactions.
Dr. D. Russell (PDF), Optoelectronic coupling of fluorescence with thin gold films and multidimensional information from fluorescent biosensors.
Dr. V. Bhatt (PDF), Sulphur‑containing chromophores for development of artificial selective binding sites on gold films.
Dr. V. Ghaemmaghami (PDF), Electronics and electrochemical sensing device assembly and testing.
Dr. R.K.M.R. Kallury (PDF), Synthetic methods of membrane stabilization and receptor modification.
Dr. X. Li (PDF), Synthesis of tethers for attachment of fluorescent dyes to ssDNA.
Dr. B. Sojka (PDF), DNA immobilization onto optical fibers and detection of pathogenic organisms.
Dr. M. Wu (RA), Tethering of dyes to DNA for biosensor development.
Dr. A. Almadidy (PDF), Fiber optic biosensors for rapid detection of water-borne pathogens.
Dr. T. Mengistu (PDF), Electrochemistry of DNA on indium tin oxide.
Dr. J. Zeng (RA), Transduction of DNA hybridization by lipid membranes.
Dr. S. Park (PDF), Gradient immobilization of DNA on indium tin oxide.
Dr. X. Liu (PDF), Microfluidics package for gradient DNA biochips.
Dr. S. Raha (RA), Molecular biologist, sample preparation and handling.
Dr. C. Kotoris (RA), Synthetic chemist, DNA immobilization.
Dr. P.A.E. Piunno (RA), Fluorescent biosensors based on waveguides.
Dr. X. Liu (RA), Microfluidics packages for controlling DNA hybridization
Dr. Fayi Song (PDF), Immobilization of gradients of DNA by photochemistry for biochip development.
Dr. Sergey Musikhin (RA), Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and construction of an atomic force microscope for high sensitivity DNA biosensors.
Dr. Yuehui Zhou (RA), Biomolecule immobilization based on Si-C chemistry
Dr. Christine Jayarajah (PDF), Harmonics spectroscopy of Bragg Gratings
Dr. C. Vannoy (PDF), Quantum dot bioprobes and biosensors in microfluidic systems.
Dr. M. Massey (PDF, joint with Prof. Bryan Stewart), Implementation of quantum dots in tissues.
Dr. Qiang Ju (PDF), Synthesis of upconverting nanoparticles and tuning of emission wavelengths.
Dr. Xuehui Zhou (RA), One-step synthesis of surface activated silicon nanoparticles.
Dr. Forrest Zhou (PDF), Synthesis of upconverting nanoparticles and decoration with quantum dots.
Dr. Pradip Das (PDF), Paper-based bioassay using quantum dots and aptamers for EpCAM cancer biomarker.
Dr. Abootaleb Sedighi (PDF), Development of nanomaterial-biomolcule constructs for diagnostic and theranostic applications in paper-based and microfluidic platforms.