Yellowstone
Research Group: Lab Members
Hamid Ghandehari, PhD
Principal Investigator
I received my B.S. in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from The University of Utah. My PhD training was under Professor Jindřich Kopeček, a pioneer in macromolecular therapeutics. Currently our lab focuses on novel methods of controlled drug delivery and better understanding of the influence of physicochemical properties of nanoparticles on their toxicity. I spend most of my time doing research, teaching, and academic service. In my free time, I like to spend time with family, travel, hike, and ski. I grew up in Tehran-Iran before immigrating to the US.
Abby Pulsipher, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
My research is focused on developing and evaluating new disease models, therapeutics and drug delivery systems, and diagnostic solutions for upper airway diseases and head and neck oncology, as well as elucidating the pathophysiologic mechanisms underpinning these conditions. I head the UROC Innovations Lab Team members and collaborators [https://uroclab.com/]. I grew up in Centreville, Virginia, and got my B.S. from the University of Virginia. I got my Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I completed my postdoc in Chemical Glycobiology at the California Institute of Technology. In my free time, you can find me rock climbing, hiking, and exploring the Mountain West, spending time with my adventure partner, Jeremy, and our two cats, Tug and Grizzy.
Nitish Khurana, PhD
Research AssISTANT PROFESSOR
My projects in the lab focus on improving patient quality of life at the interface of pediatric pharmacology, otolaryngology, biomaterials, and drug delivery. I grew up in Delhi, India, and received my B.Sc. from Delhi University, majoring in Chemistry. I received my M.Sc. from Pune University majoring in Medicinal Chemistry and my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutics Chemistry from The University of Utah. In my free time, you can find me cooking, listening to music, spending time with my friends, or simply spending a day inside with a book.
Cansu Ümran Tunç, PhD
Post Doctoral Researcher
My research focuses on design and synthesis of nanoparticles for mRNA delivery. I am from Adana, Turkiye; I received my B.S. from Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkiye, majoring in Molecular Biology and Genetics and my PhD in Biotechnology from Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkiye. In my free time, you can find me spending time with my son, camping, swimming, traveling, and reading.
Ana Salazar Puerta, PhD
Visiting scientist
My research is focused on developing micro/nanotechnology-based systems for gene delivery and cell therapies, with the goal of engineering cells and tissues to enhance tissue regeneration. More specifically, I have been leveraged these systems to generate therapeutic extracellular vesicles (EVs) for treating various medical conditions (e.g., pulmonary inflammation, low back pain, diabetes, and cancer), and used these platforms to induce controlled lineage conversions in vivo to enhance the rate of peripheral nerve regeneration. I am from Medellin, Colombia, where I got my B.S. In Biomedical Engineering, and I got my Ph.D. from The Ohio State University where I am currently doing my Postdoc. I am part of the first Exchange Program between the Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah and the James/OSUCCC at The Ohio State University as a Research visitor. In my free time, I like to swim, read and dance Colombian music.
Hayrettin Tonbul, PhD
Visiting scientist
My research project focuses on the immune response of silica nanoparticles as a function of animal sex and particle physicochemical properties. I am from Malatya, Turkiye, and received my M.Pharm. from Near East University, Cyprus. I received my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from The Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkiye. In my free time, I like to spend time with family, read, swim, and travel.
Priyanka Arunachalam
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
My research assesses the immunotoxicity of PEGylated silica nanoparticles for drug delivery applications. I am from Chennai, India. I received my Bachelor of Technology, majoring in Bioengineering, and my Master of Technology in Medical Nanotechnology from SASTRA University, India. In my free time, you can find me doing yoga, road biking, or practicing music.
Tanya Chhibber
PhD Gradute Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research focuses on developing transdermal systems for delivering miRNAs and small molecule drugs as chemopreventive therapies against melanoma. I grew up at the foothills of the Himalayas in Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, India. I received my B. Pharm and M. Pharm (Pharmaceutics) from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. In my free time, I like to hike and explore the beautiful canyons around Salt Lake City, swim, work on my art and craft projects, or learn new techniques. I also enjoy cooking and baking or trying new places.
Kholod Elhasany
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research focuses on matrix-mediated delivery of glycosaminoglycans with silk-elastinlike copolymers for prophylactic treatment of radiation-induced proctitis. I am from Alexandria, Egypt. I received my B.S. in Pharmacy and my M.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Alexandria University. I like to hike, bake, and lift weights.
Debika Ghatak
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research project focuses on the prevention of drug adsorption in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) systems’ components. I grew up in India where I received my B. Tech in Biotechnology from the West Bengal University of Technology. I received my M. Tech in Industrial Biotechnology from the National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, Karnataka (NITK). In my free time, you can find me reading novels or practicing the Indian classical dance form Kathak.
Oliver Hamilton Hubbard
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research project focuses on developing a low-cost mimic of an ECMO oxygenator for high throughput screening of drugs passing through the life support system. Data from my research can be used to optimize drug dosing for patients on ECMO. I was born and raised around the US Midwest before moving to Utah in my teens. I received my B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah. In my free time, I like to ski, climb, anything in the mountains! As well, I love to play the drums, play video games, and read novels.
Adnan Md
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing mesoporous silica nanoparticles and exploring the influence of their physicochemical properties such as shape on immunotoxic effects. I am from Chittagong, Bangladesh, a coastal area. I received my B.S. from International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh, majoring in Pharmacy, and my M.S. in Biomedical Science from Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea. In my free time, you can find me doing outdoor activities like cricket, soccer, hiking, or fishing.
Prince Amankwah Baffour Minkah
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My project focuses on synthetic glycosaminoglycans-based therapeutics to target locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. I grew up in Kumasi, Ghana. I obtained my PharmD from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. In my free time, I like to eat, sleep, watch movies and hang out with friends. You will always find me listening to music.
Nejra Mujkanović
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
I research on controlled drug delivery methods for eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis (eCRS). I was born in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I received my bachelor of science with honors in Biomedical Engineering from San José State University. When not in lab, you can find me hiking or powerlifting!
Sushanto Kumar Saha
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
I focus on the investigation of immunotoxicity of silica nanoparticles. I am from Bangladesh. I received my Bachelor of Science from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in Biomedical Engineering. In my free time, you will find me exploring new cities and states.
John Michael Thomas
PhD Graduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
My project is to develop, characterize, and test the efficacy of protein-based polymeric materials as embolic drug delivery scaffolds for treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. I am from Winter Park, Florida. I received my B.S. from the University of Florida majoring in Biomedical Engineering. In my free time, you can find me skiing, hiking, and exploring the mountains.
Fatemah Zarei Haji Abadi
PhD Graduate Student, Molecular Pharmaceutics
My research focuses on designing liposomal systems for delivery of indocyanine green in order to improve surgical outcomes in patients with HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OPSCC). I was born and raised in Bandarabbas, Iran, and received my Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. In my free time, I like to read, paint, and try new cooking and baking recipes.
Baylei Boyer
Undergraduate Student, BioCHEMISTRY
The research that I am currently working on is the synthesis of ionizable lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery targeting chronic myeloid leukemia. I am from San Diego California but go to school at the University of Utah as an undergraduate majoring in Biochemistry. In my free time I love to ski and hang out with friends.
Andy Yue Yu
Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
My research focuses on creating a high throughput and inexpensive mimic of an ECMO circuit. I am currently an undergraduate majoring in biomedical engineering. I was born and raised in Utah, but my parents came from China. In my free time, I play on my computer.
Hallie McCarthy
Administrative Assistant
I provide administrative support to the Utah Center for Nanomedicine and the Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics. I grew up in Woodland, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with family.