CHRIS RICHARDS

Associate professor, Chemistry, University of Kentucky
Director of the Light Microscopy Center, UKY
Post-doctoral, Biology, Caltech
Ph.D., Chemistry, Georgia Tech
Email: chris.richards@uky.edu

Qianye Yin

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate B.S., Northeast Normal University, 2020 Email: qianye.yin@uky.edu

Qianye focused on quantitative single-molecule method development for studying membrane protein subunit assembly. Her work employs photobleaching step analysis combined with advanced fluorescence microscopy to quantify receptor stoichiometry in native tissues at the single-complex level. She is also working on developing DNA amplification–based strategies for single-molecule signal detection, aiming to translate subunit-level information into digitally measurable outputs.

Harini Prathapasinghe

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate BSc (Hons), Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, College of Chemical Sciences, 2022 Email: hkpr223@uky.edu

Harini studies PD-1-expressing Bacterial Engineered Vesicles (PD-1-BEVs) to treat Pediatric Osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is exceptionally resistant to current immunotherapies because these tumors create a 'cold' immune environment, often shielding themselves by expressing PD-L1. This project aims to overcome this barrier by engineering Bacterial Engineered Vesicles (BEVs) to display the PD-1 receptor. Her overall goal is to develop a more effective, targeted immunotherapy that can prevent metastasis and improve survival rates for pediatric osteosarcoma patients.

Sagar pande

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate Master of Science, Physical Chemistry, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh Bachelor of Science, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Email: sagar_chem@uky.edu

Sagar is the in vivo imaging specialist of the group. His main project focuses on developing a library of DNA-stabilized silver nanocluster (DNA-AgNC)–based upconverting fluorophores. By engineering DNA-AgNC probes with optimized photophysical properties, he aims to advance clinical imaging technologies, including fluorescence-guided surgery and real-time visualization of disease progression.

Shickshitha Dissanayake

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023

Email: ddi262@uky.edu

Shika focuses on developing engineered mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosome mimetic nanovesicles as a scalable, cell-free therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury by targeting inflammation through macrophage reprogramming. His work highlights a promising and tunable nanovesicle platform for modulating immune responses and promoting recovery after spinal cord injury.

CLAIRE HOLTKAMP

Graduate Student B.S. in Chemistry and Global Resource Systems with minors in Sustainability and French, Iowa State University, 2024

Email: claireann@uky.edu

Claire’s research focuses on developing and characterizing polymer-based mucoadhesive buccal patches in order to model ZYN nicotine pouch use in a murine model. Since the murine buccal mucosa is keratinized, unlike human oral mucosa, this project aims to optimize patch formulations to achieve effective adhesion and controlled nicotine release that accurately replicate human exposure conditions. This work provides a preclinical platform for looking at the cellular and molecular effects of chronic nicotine exposure on brain cells.

NOAH DANIEL

Graduate student B.A. Biology, Minor: Political Science

Email: noah.daniel@uky.edu

Noah’s project aims to manufacture anti-tumor (M1) derived extracellular vesicles for targeted growth reduction of ovarian cancers. By modifying vesicles from varying cell types, like macrophages, I seek to reprogram the response of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to stop cancer progression. The ultimate goal is to create a safe and personalized biological nanomedicine therapy to treat a variety of cancer types.

Kristen S. Hill

Scientist III Post-doctoral Fellow, Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa FL Post-doctoral Fellow, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville FL Ph.D. Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TS B.S. Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston TX

Email: Kristen.Hill@uky.edu

Julia Nagle, MD

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Email: julia.nagle@uky.edu

ALINA DOROSH

Laboratory manager and technician M.A. Arabic Philology

Email: alina.dorosh@uky.edu