Zi Chen | Pharmaceutical science |Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Zi Chen | Pharmaceutical science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Chen is an accomplished researcher and educator with a distinguished career spanning leading academic institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Womenā€™s Hospital, and Dartmouth College. With expertise in biomechanics, robotics, morphogenesis, epigenetics, and cancer biophysics, he has made significant contributions to fields ranging from mechanical metamaterials to embryonic development. Assist Prof Dr. Chenā€™s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Society in Science ā€“ Branco Weiss Fellowship, and he actively leads and participates in research projects funded by prestigious agencies like the National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research. His commitment to innovation is evidenced by multiple accolades and grants supporting his pioneering research endeavors.

Profile

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Professional Experiences šŸŒŸ

06/01/2022-Now: Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Womenā€™s Hospital. 02/01/2021-05/31/2022: Lead Investigator, Brigham and Womenā€™s Hospital; Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School. 07/01/2015-12/31/2020: Assistant Professor, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College. 09/01/2014-06/30/2015: Research Scientist, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH; Visiting Associate, Department of Physics, Harvard University. 04/2013-08/31/2014: Research Scientist, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO. 10/2012-09/2017: Society in Science ā€“ Branco Weiss Fellow. 11/2011-4/2013: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

Education and Research Interests šŸ”¬

Education: Ph.D., 01/28/2012. Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University. M.A., 06/30/2008. Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University. M.E., 02/28/2005. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University. B.E., 07/01/2002. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University.

Research Interests: Biomechanics, robotics, morphogenesis, epigenetics, cancer biophysics.

Honors, Awards, and Grants šŸ†šŸ’¼

Honors and Awards:

  • MassVenture Acorn Innovator Award, 2022.
  • Mask Innovation Challenge, Finalist, 2022.
  • International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) Innovation Award, 2020.
  • Society in Science ā€“ Branco Weiss fellowship, 2012-2017.
  • Outstanding Paper Award, ASME 2nd Global Congress on NanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology, 2013.
  • American Academy of Mechanics Founderā€™s Prize, 2012.

Current and Past Grants:

  • Active Topological Mechanical Metamaterials via Self-Assembly and Fractional Excitations.
  • Unveiling the Biomechanical Principles of Embryonic Brain and Heart Morphogenesis.
  • Reusable, transparent, and reconfigurable N95-equivalent Respirator Masks.

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

  • Biomechanics of a Plant-Derived Sealant for Corneal Injuries
    • Authors: B.S. Liu, M. Liao, W.L. Wagner, M. Ackermann, S.J. Mentzer
    • Journal: Translational Vision Science and Technology
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 12
    • Issue: 5
    • Pages: 20
    • Citations: 0

 

  • 3D stimulated Raman spectral imaging of water dynamics associated with pectin-glycocalyceal entanglement
    • Authors: M. Floess, T. Steinle, F. Werner, S.J. Mentzer, H. Giessen
    • Journal: Biomedical Optics Express
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 14
    • Issue: 4
    • Pages: 1460ā€“1471
    • Citations: 2

 

  • Engineering human spinal microphysiological systems to model opioid-induced tolerance
    • Authors: H. Cai, Z. Ao, C. Tian, K. Mackie, F. Guo
    • Journal: Bioactive Materials
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 22
    • Pages: 482ā€“490
    • Citations: 12

 

  • Geometric and network organization of visceral organ epithelium
    • Authors: B.S. Liu, J. Sutlive, W.L. Wagner, M. Ackermann, S.J. Mentzer
    • Journal: Frontiers in Network Physiology
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 3
    • Article: 1144186
    • Citations: 2

 

  • Title: Buckling forces and the wavy folds between pleural epithelial cells
  • Authors: J. Sutlive, B.S. Liu, S.A. Kwan, Z. Chen, S.J. Mentzer
  • Journal: BioSystems
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 240
  • Pages: 105216

TONIMA NANDY | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Ā Dr. TONIMA NANDY | Plant Pathology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, India.

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ”¬ Dr. Tonima Nandy is a highly motivated and accomplished chemist with expertise in spectroscopy, biophysical chemistry, photochemistry, computational chemistry, and molecular dynamics simulation. With a Ph.D. from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, and post-doctoral experience at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, she has conducted groundbreaking research on amyloid fibril inhibition and photophysical properties of amino acids and DNA. With a strong publication record, teaching experience, and technical proficiency in various analytical techniques and computational tools, she is dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in chemistry.šŸŒŸ

 

Profile

Orcid

 

Career Objective:

Passionate about tackling challenging problems in chemistry, I aim to leverage my proactive nature and innovative thinking to successfully accomplish projects. With a great enthusiasm for utilizing advanced teaching methods like e-learning, I strive to increase student interest in the subject.

Academic Qualification :

Ph.D. in Chemistry Institution: Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata Year of Passing: 2022M.Sc. in Chemistry Institution: Rajabazar Science College, University of Calcutta Year of Passing: 2015Marks: 72.90%B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry Institution: Hooghly Womenā€™s College, University of Burdwan Year of Passing: 2013Marks: 68.12%12th Grade Institution: Hooghly Girlsā€™ High School Board: W.B.C.H.S.E. Year of Passing: 2010Percentage: 77.40%10th Grade Institution: Hooghly Girlsā€™ High School Board: W.B.B.S.E. Year of Passing: 2008Percentage: 88.88%

Area of Interests:Ā 

  • Spectroscopy
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Photochemistry
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Research Profile:

Post-Doctoral Experience:

Institution: S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, KolkataProject Title: Single Amino Acid Tryptophan Induced Amyloid Fibril: Search for Specific Inhibitors in Different Complex EnvironmentsMentor: Prof. Ranjit BiswasResearch Highlights: Investigating amyloid fibril formation by tryptophan and searching for inhibitors to treat related disorders.PhD Thesis:

Institution: Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata Title: Understanding Solvation and Photo physical Properties of Canonical and Noncanonical Amino Acids and DNA in Complex Medium upervisor: Prof. Prashant Chandra Singh Research Highlights: Studying fluorine’s role in modifying photo physical properties of amino acids and interactions between DNA and lipids.

Ā Awards for Extra-Curricular Activity:

Stood 1st in the Recitation competition for the 45th celebration of Insurance Week organized by Sales Training Centre, Life Insurance Corporation of India (Howrah Division).Held 3rd rank in Recitation competition organized by Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.Secured 2nd position in Recitation competition organized by State Bank of India Local Implementation Committee Cultural Wing Chinsurah.Secured 3rd rank in Recitation competition organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Hooghly, West Bengal, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.Held 2nd rank in Beng. Rhymes competition of the science-based cultural competition organized by Chandannagore Science Club, Hooghly, West Bengal.

 

Publications Top Notes šŸ“

(i) Title: Inhibition of Amyloid Fibrillation of Single Amino Acid Tryptophan by Tannic Acid: An Insight into Targeted Therapy of Hypertryptophanemia Disorder

  • Journal: J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chemistry
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 453
  • Pages: 115660

 

(ii) Title: Substitution Enables Significant New Decay Channels for a Non-canonical Amino Acid

  • Journal: Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 24
  • Pages: 17695

 

(iii) Title: Photophysical Properties of Noncanonical Amino Acid 7-Fluorotryptophan Sharply Different from Those of Canonical Derivative Tryptophan: Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Calculations

  • Journal: J. Phys. Chem. B
  • Year: 2021
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue: 23
  • Pages: 6214ā€“6221

 

(iv) Title: Fluorine Induced Conformational Switching and Modulation in Photophysical Properties of 7-Fluorotryptophan: Spectroscopic, Quantum Chemical Calculation and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies

  • Journal: J. Photochem. Photobiol. A
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 3-4
  • Pages: 100011

 

(v) Title: Molecular aspects of the role of groove and stacked regions of DNA in binding with lipids: Spectroscopic and docking studies

  • Journal: J. Mol. Liq.
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 303
  • Pages: 112672

 

(vi) Title: Solvent Organization around the Noncanonical Part of Tyrosine Modulates its Fluorescence Properties

  • Journal: Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 21
  • Pages: 6042-6050

 

(vii) Title: Understanding the Role of Hydrophobic Terminal in the Hydrogen Bond Network of the Aqueous Mixture of 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol: IR, Molecular Dynamics, Quantum Chemical as Well as Atoms in Molecules Studies

  • Journal: J. Phys. Chem. B
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 122
  • Issue: 25
  • Pages: 6616ā€“6626

 

(viii) Title: Hydrophobic fluorine mediated switching of the hydrogen bonding site as well as orientation of water molecules in the aqueous mixture of monofluoroethanol: IR, molecular dynamics and quantum chemical studies

  • Journal: Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 19
  • Pages: 24667-24677