GROUP MEMBERS

DR. GREGORY HODGSON

Postdoctoral Fellow (PhD Chemistry and Nanoscience, University of Ottawa)

Gregory’s research is focused on (i) investigating fundamental nanoparticle-molecule interactions and photophysical processes at the single molecule level; (ii) addressing current challenges in industry and biotechnology by developing advanced nanomaterials for antimicrobial textiles and corrosion-resistant industrial coatings. Connect with Gregory on LinkedIn or Twitter @GKHodgson. Link to Gregory’s publications (ORCID). 

AVIYA AKARI

MSc Candidate

Aviya completed her bachelor degree at Ryerson, with a thesis on the investigation of the photochemistry and intramolecular dye-sensitized free-radical processes of quinoline and coumarin antennas. She is the recipient of the 2020 Salad King International Student Award. Currently, her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of photoactivatable, biocompatible carbon dots for super-resolution bioimaging and molecular computing.

NICHOLAS DOGANTZIS

MSc Candidate

Nicholas obtained his bachelor degree at Ryerson University in the Impellizzeri Lab with a thesis on the fluorescence activation of boronate esters. He is the recipient of 2019 NSERC USRA, a 2019 Ryerson Graduate Scholarship and a 2020 Ontario Graduate Scholarship. His research efforts concentrate on the construction of hybrid core-shell nanoparticles integrated with fluorescent molecules.

KAROL GOLIAN

MSc Candidate

Karol completed his undergraduate degree in the chemistry co-operative program with a minor in physics. He joined the Laboratory for Nanomaterials & Molecular Plasmonics in June 2019 with a project focused on optical patterning of thin polymer films with photogenerated radicals and prefluorescent probes.

SUMAIYA SOHA

PhD Candidate

Since completing her undergraduate studies, Sumaiya was involved in teaching undergraduate biochemistry and high-school biology. Jointly with the Antonescu and Botelho labs at Ryerson, her research project focuses on the investigation of silver nanostructures to enhance fluorescence imaging of biological systems, bridging nanomaterial chemistry and biology.

LAVINIA TRIFOI

MSc Candidate

Lavinia’s undergraduate research in the Impellizzeri lab focused on the development of molecular systems that can mimic Boolean logic operators and reproduce basic arithmetic function. She is the recipient of a 2020 Ryerson URO. Her graduate research is directed toward the design and fabrication of hybrid solid nanocomposites based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) interfaced with organic fluorophores.

ALI YAGHOUBIAN

MSc Candidate

Ali completed an undergraduate thesis and triple minor in biology, mathematics and psychology at Ryerson University. His graduate studies, in collaboration with the Adler's lab, focus on the utilization of porphyrin silanes in organic photoredox catalysis.

VALERIA MOROZOVA

BSc Candidate

Valeria's undergraduate thesis project focuses on photochemical investigations of fluorescent radical traps and their lithographic applications. Supported by a 2021 NSERC USRA, she is now researching boron nitride quantum dots.

TALHA MAHMOOD

BSc Candidate

Talha is a 4th-year chemistry student. His thesis project, a collaboration with Neil R. Branda, focuses on the photochromic properties of (MOFs) containing diarylethenes. Upon the completion of his undergraduate degree, Talha is hoping to pursue graduate-level studies.