Meet Our Group
Post-docs & Research Associates
Sumeyra Tek, Ph.d.
NNSA CONNECT Postdoctoral Fellow
Graduate Students
Chrismond Smith
Doctoral Student
Areas of Research: Nanoparticles, Laser Ablation in Liquids
Dissertation: TBA
Alejandro Morales Betancourt
Ph.D. Student, Physics
Areas of Research: Nanoparticles, Laser Ablation in Liquids
Dissertation: TBA
Jake Flowers
Ph.D. Student, Physics
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis and Characterization
jason Guiliani
Ph.D. Student, Physics
Dissertation: Nanoparticle synthesis and Characterization
Vicente Gonzales
Ph.D. Student, Physics
Dissertation:
Keith minor
M.Sc. Student, Physics
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis and Applications in Biological Systems
UnderGraduate Students and Postbac
Joshua Naranjo
UTSA Undergraduate
Biology Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle interaction with biological systems
Andreas Christoduoluo
UTSA Undergraduate
Physics Major
Areas of Research: Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids
Former Group Members
Lawrence C. Mimun, Ph.D.
Areas of Research: NaYF4 Nanoparticles (NP) doped with Rare Earth (RE) ions, Photochemical reactions through light harvesting from upconverting nanoparticles.
Currently SRC, Inc.
Postdoc 2016-2017
brandy k. vincent, m.sc.
Research Fellow
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle interaction with biological systems
2016-2018
KhalEd Rashwan, Ph.D.
Areas of Research: Laser Ablation: Synthesizing nanomaterials using laser ablation for antimicrobial and anticancer purposes
Currently Safari Belting Systems & HALT Pathogen Control Solutions, LLC
Postdoc 2017-2018
Areas of Research: Nanocomposites, Mutilmodality Nanoparticles for sensing and imaging
Dissertation: "Synthesis and Optical Properties of Interactive Nanosystems"
Doctoral Student
Areas of Research: Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (NP), Selective cell uptake by surface modification of NP in neuronal cells, Effect of nanosecond electrical pulses on neuronal cell's uptake of NP
Dissertation: "Combintorial Effects of Functional Nanoparticles and Electromagnetic Stimulation on Cells"
sumeyra tek, Ph.d.
Doctoral Student
Areas of Research: Microwave syntheses of nanoparticles, Lithinated NaYF4 Nanoparticles (NP) doped with Rare Earth (RE) ions, Photochemical reactions through light harvesting from upconverting nanoparticles.
Dissertation: "Intracellular Nanatransducers for Photobiomodulation Applications"
Currently Postdoc at UTSA
Nathan J. Ray, Ph.D.
Physics and Mathematics Major
Currently PostDoc at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Alexis Catala, B.Sc.
Physics and Biology Major
Areas of Research: PLGA-PEG loaded SiRNA nanoparticles for treatment of childhood lukemia, Interaction of serum proteins with nanoparticles for reactive oxidative species sensing.
Honors Thesis: "Development of Polymeric Nanoparticles for On-Demand Laser Induced Drug Delivery for Treatment of Ocular Diseases States"
Currently Doctoral Student at University of Colorado-Denver, NSF-GRFP 2018
Ashley Tran, B.Sc.
Former UTSA Undergraduate
Top Scholar
Biochemistry Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle interaction with biological systems, Biochemical reactions in the presence of nanoparticles
Currently attending Dental School at UT Health - San Antonio
Catherine Frazier
UTSA Undergraduate
Medical Humanities Major
Areas of Research: Plasmonic/Biomolecular Systems
Cheyenne Silva
UTSA Undergraduate
Biochemistry and Mathematics Major
Former ACS Project SEED Program Mentee
Currently Undergraduate at UT-San Antonio
Chris Salinas
Northwest Vista College, Nanotechnology Intern
2014 Participant in NanoJapan IREU Program
Currently Undergraduate at UT-Austin
Christopher Baker
UTSA Undergraduate
Mathematics Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis using microwave methods
David Garcia, B.Sc.
Physics Major
Former LSAMP-CIMA Intern, St. Philips College
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis by pulsed laser ablation
Currently Doctoral Student at University of California at San Diego, NSF-GRFP 2018
Daniel Angel, B.Sc.
Physics Major
Also: LSAMP-CIMA Intern, Northwest Vista College
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis by pulsed laser ablation, PLGA nanocarriers for immunotherapy
Currently Doctoral Student at University of Colorado
Emmitt Zamora
UTSA Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis and Characterization
Giselle George
UTSA Undergraduate
Biology/Physics Major
Areas of Research: Plasmonic/Biomolecular Systems
Jaime Turcios-Villalta
Former ACS Project SEED Program Mentee
Currently Undergraduate at UT-Austin
jonathan Mendoza
UTSA Undergraduate
Physics Major
Also: Former Northwest Vista College Intern
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis by pulsed laser ablation
Justine Ortega Mendez
La Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) , Summer Researcher
Stephen Apolinar, B.Sc.
Former UTSA Undergraduate
Mechanical Engineering Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis by pulsed laser ablation
Vivian Nguyen, B.Sc.
UTSA Post-Bac
Top Scholar
Biology Major
Areas of Research: Nanoparticle interaction with biological systems, Biochemical reactions in the presence of nanoparticles
Currently attending Dental School at
Zachary Simmons
Northwest Vista College, Nanotechnology Intern
Lab Openings:
Graduate Students:
Graduate students with an interest in the biophysics of nano-bio interfaces, synthesis of nanoparticles and nanoparticles for biophysical investigations. Additionally, students willing to work on translation of nanoparticles for medical applications.
Postdoctoral Researchers (openings pending):
Currently we are seeking postdocs with experience in biophysics with a focus on spectroscopic techniques including Raman and flouresence imaging for studies on nanoparticle interactions with cell membranes.
Undergraduates:
Undergraduates with an interest in biophysics, nano-bio interfaces, nanomaterials synthesis.
Contact Prof. Kelly Nash at kelly.nash@utsa.edu