PEOPLE
![willson](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/willson.jpg)
Dr. Richard C. Willson
Huffington-Woestemeyer Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Professor of Biochemical & Biophysical Sciences
Office Location S229, Engineering Building 1
RESEARCH FACULTY
![keterina](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/keterina.jpg)
Katerina Kourentzi
Research Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Previous Degrees:
Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), University of Houston, Houston (2002)
M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering), University of Houston, Houston (1998)
Diploma (Chemical Engineering), National Technical University, Athens, Greece (1996)
Research Areas: My focus is on the development of diagnostics for proteins and pathogens at the interface of engineering, nanotechnology and biology. I possess technical background in chemical engineering and biotechnology and broad understanding of the practices in diagnostics coupled with extensive lab bench and scientific writing experience.
![vu](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/vu.jpg)
Binh V. Vu
Research Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Previous Degrees: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Research Areas:
- Novel reporters in point-of-care (POC) detection methods: I am working on improving the sensitivity of POC rapid tests with novel light-emitting reporters that are detectable with a smartphone camera.
- Process analytical technology (PAT): I am working on methods to measure and characterize biologics from the bioprocess stream in real time.
Awards: Young Innovator Award in the Cullen College of Engineering for 2021-2022
POST DOCTORAL FELLOWS
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Kristen Brosamer
Postdoctoral fellow
Previous Degrees: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering (University of Houston), B.S. in Biomolecular Engineering (University of California Santa Cruz)
Research Areas: My research focuses on improving sensitivity and usability of current point-of-care diagnostic platforms through the use of novel reporter molecules
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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Maede Chabi Bahmanshiri
Research Assistant – PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemical Engineering – Sharif University of Technology
Research Areas: Rapid Diagnostics – Lateral Flow Assays: I am working on Lateral Flow Assays for early detection of Acute promyelocytic leukemia and SARS-CoV-2.
![drugkar](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/drugkar.jpg)
Anjali Drugkar
Research Assistant – PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering
Previous Degrees: Graduate Student (Department of Biology and Biochemistry)
Research Areas: I am working on point-of-care diagnostics development based on nucleic acid amplification using novel detection techniques.
![vjay](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/vjay.jpg)
Vijay Maranholkar
Ph.D. Student, (Department of Biology and Biochemistry)
Previous Degrees: M. Tech. (Bioprocess Technology), B.E. (Biotechnology)
Research Areas:
- Downstream processing: I am working on purification of human cancer biomarker expressed in bacterial host.
- Biophysical characterization: I am working on biophysical characterization of modified protein A ligand
![martino](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/martino.jpg)
Antonio Martino
Ph.D. Student
Previous Degrees: Bachelor’s degree in ICT Engineering, Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering
Research Areas: My research is based on the development of nanoparticles aimed at smart drug delivery and targeted treatment of diseases.
![nandy](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/nandy.jpg)
Suman Nandy
Graduate Research Assistant (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston)
Previous Degrees: BSc in Chemical Engineering (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh)
Research Areas:
- Molecular Biology and Bioseparations: I am working on developing purification techniques (Affinity, IEX, SEC, etc.) for monoclonal antibodies (mAb), fusion proteins, and nucleic acids.
- Biophysical and Analytical Characterization: I am working on the characterization of proteins using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC).
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
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Sophia Song
Research Assistant
Previous Degrees: The University of Texas at Austin – B.S. Chemical Engineering (Class of 2019), University of Houston – M.S. in Biology (Class of 2022)
Research Areas: I am working on developing lateral flow assays for applications in point-of-care diagnostics. Specifically, I am experimenting with novel reporter particles and trying to understand their interactions with biomarkers, with the goal of optimizing detection sensitivity.
![unnamed](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/unnamed-1.jpg)
Austin Hahn
Research Assistant
Previous Degrees: BS (Biochemical/Biophysical Sciences), University of Houston
Research Areas: I am developing lateral flow assays that utilize high sensitivity reporters for use in reader development, point-of-care diagnostics, and industry applications.
VISITOR RESEARCHERS
![Margarita](http://willsonlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Margarita.png)
Margarita Ortiz Martinez
PhD (Tecnologico De Monterrey)
Previous Degrees:
Ph.D. in Biotechnology at Tecnologico de Monterrey
Master of Science with a major in Pharmacy at Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico.
Bachelors degree in Biology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico.
Research Areas: My research has focused on evaluating the bioactive potential of new compounds in in vitro models, with a special focus on bioactive proteins. Currently, as a part of the Bioengineering and Medical Devices Unit of the Institute of Obesity Research, I am involved in the project “Lateral flow platforms for the early detection of metabolic disorders and obesity protein biomarkers in children in collaboration with the University of Houston.