OXFORD, Miss – A University of Mississippi chemistry graduate pupil has been chosen to current her analysis at a nationwide convention as a recipient of the 2023 Merck Research Award from the Women Chemists Committee.
Christine Hamadani, a third-year PhD pupil, is one in every of eight people who will current within the fall American Chemical Association nationwide assembly in August in San Francisco. The award winners additionally current their analysis at a half-day symposium and are acknowledged on the award symposium and Women Chemists Committee luncheons.
“I was over the moon when I heard that I had been selected, and so honored when the award committee told me that I had been selected from over a hundred applicants from all over the country,” stated Hamadani. “It feels incredible to have innovative science recognized and rewarded, especially when I’m part of a cohort of top scientists selected from schools like Yale and Northwestern.”
Christine Hamadani, a third-year PhD pupil, is without doubt one of the winners of a 2023 Merck Research Award from the Women Chemists Committee. Submitted picture
Hamadani stated the award is invaluable as she explores a wide range of profession choices after commencement, as a part of the award is that she will likely be paired with a Merck scientist in a analysis space for profession mentorship.
“The pharmaceutical industry is one of them,” she stated. “Merck is one of the greatest pioneers of pharmaceutical innovation, so this gives me a first-hand insight not only into what it’s like to be a scientist in pharma, but also what it’s like to be at Merck. to work.”
Hamadani is a proficient and pushed researcher who has demonstrated a inventive bent for scientific inquiry with functions past pure teachers, stated Ryan Fortenberry, affiliate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and commencement coordinator.
“Christine works tirelessly and has increased our department’s research impact,” he stated. “Getting this award in a cohort of scholars from quintessential analysis universities corresponding to Yale, UNC-Chapel Hill, Michigan and Northwestern reveals Christine that our college students can compete with the perfect.
“She raises the status of our department and illustrates how our students are among the most promising young researchers in the country.”
Hamadani’s analysis focuses on the chemistry and engineering of nanomaterials for organic techniques. At the ACS assembly, she is going to current particular work on bioengineering linear-dendritic block copolymers, or LDBCs, for next-generation drug supply into the bloodstream.
LDBCs are novel polymeric supplies that may be made into nanoparticles with the power to effectively transport most cancers medication and imaging brokers. However, their instability and toxicity to blood cells limits their applicability for intravenous injection.
“In the Tanner lab, we make ionic liquids from natural ingredients that are biocompatible with the body and can give materials and molecules new biological properties for drug delivery applications,” she stated. “My venture concerned formulating LDBCs with an IL referred to as choline 2-hexenoate.
“This IL makes polymers stable, safe for the human body and directs them to target organs by hitching a ride on red blood cells.”
Throughout the remainder of her doctoral work, Hamadani is occupied with advancing the IL nanoparticle platform she developed throughout her graduate analysis as near scientific trials as doable.
“We’ve already done mice and rats with reasonable success, so I’m excited to potentially work with larger animals and hopefully cure disease models,” she stated.
Hamadani hopes to at some point lead a workforce of R&D scientists to create translatable and accessible therapeutic options for individuals of shade and low socioeconomic standing affected by blood issues.
“This is a problem that hits close to home, as I myself suffer from a blood disorder for which there is currently no safe and permanent solution,” she stated. “So in the long run, I want to work on advancing knowledge from a new innovative perspective to help cure that disease. Maybe one day I will even use the knowledge of this technology.”
Source: information.olemiss.edu