Aleksandar Goranov | Analytical environmental chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Ā Dr. Aleksandar Goranov | Analytical environmental chemistry | Best Researcher Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

I am an analytical environmental chemist with expertise in applying a diverse suite of analytical techniques to investigate environmental questions. My research focuses on studying the composition and environmental fate of pyrogenic (fire-derived) organic matter (pyOM) and soil/aquatic natural organic matter (NOM). I employ ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), various spectroscopies (e.g., fluorescence, NMR), liquid- and gas-chromatographic techniques, as well as stable isotopes to develop novel analytical methods.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

 

 

 

šŸ”¬Research Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher at Old Dominion University (ODU), focusing on various projects related to environmental degradation processes and characterization of organic matter. Postdoctoral Researcher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), involved in characterizing organic matter in different environmental matrices. Graduate Research Assistant at ODU, investigating the fate and behavior of pyrogenic organic matter in the environment. Undergraduate Research Assistant at various institutions, exploring topics such as solvatochromism and marine ecology.

šŸŽ“Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Old Dominion University (ODU)
  • B.S. in Chemistry, Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ)

Honors and awards

  • Young Investigator Award by the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS)
  • ACS CAS Top 100 Future Leader
  • Dominion Scholar Fellowship
  • Various other awards recognizing research and academic achievements.

 

šŸ‘©ā€šŸ« Teaching Experience šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«

In addition to my research endeavors, I have extensive experience in teaching and mentoring students in various analytical techniques and laboratory practices.

Highlights:

Developed and instructed an informal course on elemental analysis ā€“ isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) in Fall 2021, aimed at training students in using EA-IRMS for analytical purposes. Served as a guest lecturer for the Environmental Measurements course (ERTH 4190) in Summer 2021, where I designed and delivered an interactive laboratory exercise on quantification of dissolved calcium in riverine waters using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Led numerous virtual workshops covering topics such as fluorescence spectroscopy, stable carbon isotopes analysis, FT-ICR-MS data processing, statistical analysis, and more, benefiting researchers across different labs. Previous teaching assistant roles include General Chemistry I Lab at ODU and various labs at RCNJ covering organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and instrumental analysis. Provided tutoring support in general & organic chemistry as well as calculus.

Analytical Skills:

Proficient in a wide range of analytical techniques including UV-VIS, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy (both liquid-state and solid-state), fluorescence spectroscopy, chromatography (HPLC, GCxGC-TOF-MS), elemental analysis (EA-IRMS, EA-TCD), and mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MS). Familiarity with advanced data analysis techniques including isotopic corrections, multidimensional data analysis, exploratory statistics, and PARAFAC deconvolution. Proficient in MATLAB programming and ethical usage of ChatGPT, with beginner proficiency in R and Python programming languages.

 

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

Title: Molecular heterogeneity in pyrogenic dissolved organic matter from a thermal series of oak and grass chars
Authors: AS Wozniak, AI Goranov, S Mitra, KW Bostick, AR Zimmerman
Journal: Organic Geochemistry
Year: 2020
Volume: 148
Pages: 104065
Citations: 45

 

Title: Photolability of pyrogenic dissolved organic matter from a thermal series of laboratory-prepared chars
Authors: KW Bostick, AR Zimmerman, AI Goranov, S Mitra, PG Hatcher
Journal: Science of the total environment
Year: 2020
Volume: 724
Pages: 138198
Citations: 42

 

Title: Biolability of fresh and photodegraded pyrogenic dissolved organic matter from laboratoryā€prepared chars
Authors: KW Bostick, AR Zimmerman, AI Goranov, S Mitra, PG Hatcher
Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
Year: 2021
Volume: 126
Issue: 5
Article number: e2020JG005981
Citations: 36

 

Title: Online quantification and compoundā€specific stable isotopic analysis of black carbon in environmental matrices via liquid chromatographyā€isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: S Wagner, J Brandes, AI Goranov, TW Drake, RGM Spencer, A Stubbins
Journal: Limnology and Oceanography: Methods
Year: 2017
Volume: 15
Issue: 12
Pages: 995-1006
Citations: 32

 

Title: Photochemistry after fire: Structural transformations of pyrogenic dissolved organic matter elucidated by advanced analytical techniques
Authors: AI Goranov, AS Wozniak, KW Bostick, AR Zimmerman, S Mitra
Journal: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Year: 2020
Volume: 290
Pages: 271-292
Citations: 31

Title: Effects of environmental aging on wildfire particulate and dissolved pyrogenic organic matter characteristics
Authors: AS Wozniak, S Mitra, AI Goranov, AR Zimmerman, KW Bostick
Journal: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Year: 2024
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Pages: 104-118
Citations: 1

 

Title: Biogeochemistry of dissolved organic matter and inorganic solutes in soil profiles of tropical pasturelands
Authors: JV dos Santos, AI Goranov, LR Bento, PPA Oliveira, JRM Pezzopane
Journal: Soil and Tillage Research
Year: 2024
Volume: 240
Pages: 1-15

 

Title: Using the benzenepolycarboxylic acid (BPCA) method to assess activated biochars and their PFAS sorption abilities
Authors: AI Goranov, E Sormo, N Hagemann, G Cornelissen, AR Zimmerman
Journal: Chemosphere
Year: 2024
Article number: 141750

 

Title: Stabilization of PFAS-contaminated soil with sewage sludge-and wood-based biochar sorbents
Authors: E SĆørmo, CBM Lade, J Zhang, AG Asimakopoulos, GW ƅsli, M Hubert
Journal: Science of The Total Environment
Year: 2024
Volume: 922
Pages: 1-12

 

Title: Carbon fate, iron dissolution, and molecular characterization of dissolved organic matter in thawed Yedoma permafrost under varying redox conditions
Authors: MS Carneiro Barreto, RP Wani, AI Goranov, TD Sowers, M Fischel
Journal: Environmental Science & Technology
Year: 2024
Volume: 58
Issue: 9
Pages: 4155-4166

 

 

Prasun Mukherjee | Spectroscopy | Best Researcher Award

Ā  Assist Prof Dr. Prasun Mukherjee | Spectroscopy| Best Researcher Award

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ«Profile Summary

Experienced Physical Chemist with a Ph.D. from Iowa State University and post-doctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh and Iowa State University. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calcutta’s Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Specializing in ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy and nanomaterials, with expertise in lanthanide-containing semiconductor nanoparticles. Recognized with prestigious awards and fellowships for academic excellence. Proven track record in conducting innovative research projects in photophysics, electron transfer, and spectroscopic analysis. Passionate about advancing scientific knowledge in physical chemistry and nanotechnology.

šŸŒ Professional Profiles

 

 

šŸŽ“ Education:

Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Iowa State University, Iowa, USA, Spring 2008 (August 2003-May 2008), Dissertation: “Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy used as a probe to explore excited state photophysics of biologically and environmentally relevant systems”, Advisor: Professor Jacob W. Petrich, M.Sc. in Chemistry (Specialization: Physical Chemistry), 1st Class, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Maharashtra, India, 2001-2003, Project: “Ab-initio quantum chemical investigation of the spin states of some chain, monocyclic and bicyclic diradicals”, Advisor: Professor Sambhu N. Datta, B.Sc. in Chemistry, 1st Class 1st, Alipurduar College, North Bengal University, West Bengal, India, 1997-2000, Standard XII, 1st Division, Alipurduar College, West Bengal, India, 1997, Standard X, 1st Division, Rama Krishna Mission Boys Home High School, Rahara, West Bengal, India, 1995

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ”¬ Professional Experience:

Assistant Professor, Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CRNN), University of Calcutta (March 2013-present), Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Advisor: Professor David H. Waldeck (March 2009-February 2013), Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Advisor: Professor Jacob W. Petrich (May 2008-February 2009)

šŸ”¬ Research Projects:

At University of Calcutta: Development of Lanthanide Containing Semiconductor Nanoparticles and Probing the Spatial Location of the Dopant by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Sensitization of Lanthanide Luminescence Using Semiconductor Nanoparticles, Post-synthetic Modification of Semiconductor Nanoparticles, Vibrational and Electronic Spectroscopic Investigation of Surface Properties in Lanthanide Incorporated Semiconductor Nanoparticles. Post-doctoral work at University of Pittsburgh:, Lanthanide luminescence sensitization in nanoparticle assemblies, Electron transfer in diversified systems, Mechanism of lanthanide luminescence sensitization in molecular lanthanide complexes, Ph.D. and post-doctoral work at Iowa State University: Photophysics of hypericin in different proteins, Solvation dynamics using Coumarin 153 as a probe, Characterization of hypericin-like pigments in marine ciliates, Identification and detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in sheep and mice using fluorescence spectroscopy of the eye. M.Sc. project work at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay: Ab-initio quantum chemical investigation of the spin states of some diradicals

šŸ† Awards and Fellowships:

University medal for securing 1st class 1st position in B.Sc. (Hons.) (Chemistry) examination, 2000, University of North Bengal, India, Qualified in National Eligibility Test (NET), 2002, India, Chevron Phillips Travel Award, 2006, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, USA, Graduate Teaching Excellence Award, 2006, Iowa State University, USA, Proctor & Gamble Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry, 2007, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, USA, Graduate Research Excellence Award, 2008, Iowa State University, USA

 

šŸ“šTop Noted Publication

38. What Is Beyond Charge Trapping in Semiconductor Nanoparticle Sensitized Dopant Photoluminescence?
Authors: Prasenjit Manna, Gouranga H. Debnath, David H. Waldeck, Prasun Mukherjee
Year: 2018

 

39. Host sensitized lanthanide photoluminescence from postsynthetically modified semiconductor nanoparticles depends on reactant identity
Authors: Gouranga H. Debnath, Saoni Rudra, Arghyadeep Bhattacharyya, Nikhil Guchhait, Prasun Mukherjee
Year: 2019

 

40. Structural Evolution Controls Photoluminescence of Post-Synthetically Modified Doped Semiconductor Nanoparticles
Authors: Saoni Rudra, Madhumita Bhar, Prasun Mukherjee
Year: 2019

 

41. Bimetallic goldā€“silver nanoparticles mediate bacterial killing by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton MreB
Authors: Prajna Jena, Maireyee Bhattacharya, Gourab Bhattacharjee, Biswarup Satpati, Prasun Mukherjee, Dulal Senapati, Ramanujam Srinivasan
Year: 2020

 

42. What Role Can Surface Capping Ligand Play To Control Dopant Emission in Semiconductor Nanoparticles?
Authors: Madhumita Bhar, Saoni Rudra, Prasun Mukherjee
Year: 2020

 

43. Delivery of thymoquinone through hyaluronic acid-decorated mixed PluronicĀ® nanoparticles to attenuate angiogenesis and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Saurav Bhattacharya, Avijit Ghosh, Santanu Maiti, Manisha Ahir, Gouranga H. Debnath, Payal Gupta, Mousumi Bhattacharjee, Swatilekha Ghosh, Sreya Chattopadhyay, Prasun Mukherjee, Arghya Adhikary
Year: 2020

 

44. Optimizing the Key Variables to Generate Host Sensitized Lanthanide Doped Semiconductor Nanoparticle Luminophores
Authors: Gouranga H. Debnath, Prasun Mukherjee, David H. Waldeck
Year: 2020

 

45. Lanthanide photoluminescence lifetimes reflect vibrational signature of local environment: Lengthening duration of emission in inorganic nanoparticles
Authors: Prasenjit Manna, Madhumita Bhar, Prasun Mukherjee
Year: 2021