Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Formulation of Curcumin Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and the Digestion Study
Presenter: Tyler Ryan Sousa-Chaisson
Faculty Sponsor: Changqing Chen
School: Salem State University
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A32]

Curcumin is a naturally occurring compound found within turmeric plants. Its list of health benefits includes being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. It has been extensively researched as a fluorescent probe in the detection of amyloid beta (Ab) plaque present in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In its powdered form, curcumin has a hydrophobic, non-polar chemical structure which reduces its water solubility in aqueous physiological environments. This research aims to encapsulate curcumin into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), to increase its internal bioavailability, and encapsulation efficiency. A literature search has been conducted and a procedure was developed and implemented for the formulation process. This formulation can potentially increase curcumin’s stability within the body and make it more bioavailable. UV/Vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the formulated curcumin. A calibration curve was constructed, followed by an investigation on stability of the formulated curcumin SLNs in a stomach-like environment, over a period of time.
Zeolite-Catalyzed Aldol Fission Reaction for Olefin Synthesis
Presenter: Veronika Dubovis
Faculty Sponsor: Friederike C. Jentoft
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A44]

Olefins serve as fundamental building blocks in the chemical industry and are synthesized by various methods, each with its own drawbacks and limitations. Therefore, aldol fission chemistry offers an alternative catalytic pathway by converting oxygen-rich carbonyl compounds directly into olefins without requiring reduction steps. This project aims at studying how catalyst pore structure and substrate size influence aldol fission selectivity using zeolite catalysts. Batch aldol reactions between aldehydes and 3-pentanone were conducted utilizing Brønsted-acidic zeolites with different frameworks, including BEA, FAU, and MWW. Benzaldehyde, acetophenone, and propiophenone were chosen as substrates to study increasing molecular size. Reaction products were analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection to determine substrate conversion, fission yield, and selectivity. Benzaldehyde showed high fission selectivity and yield in combination with BEA catalysts, consistent with prior literature. For acetophenone, the HY zeolite showed significantly higher fission selectivity and yield than MCM-22, indicating that larger pore systems better stabilize reaction intermediates required for carbon–carbon bond cleavage. In contrast, MCM-22 primarily produced self-condensation products, likely due to its pocket-like external active sites which are more accessible for bulkier substrates. Propiophenone produced only condensation products with all catalysts tested, suggesting that its size restricts access to internal catalytic sites of the chosen catalysts. Ongoing work includes investigating SBA-15, a mesoporous catalyst with large channels and few micropores, which improves molecular diffusion and access to active sites. The catalyst’s structure may be ideal for accommodating large substrates like acetophenone and propiophenone to enable fission production.
Electrochemical Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater Streams
Presenter: Anya Marina Kuznetsov
Faculty Sponsor: Alexandra Zagalskaya
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A45]

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 heavy metals found throughout modern society, from medical equipment, to cellphones, to clean energy technologies like electric vehicles. Despite the name, REEs are easy to find but difficult to extract and purify. Mines are the traditional source for REEs, yet have long-lasting and detrimental effects on the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new and environmentally friendly methods to meet the demand for REEs. REE extraction from wastewater streams presents a promising solution that supports a circular economy by reusing toxic metals that would otherwise be released to the environment.

This project investigates computationally both light REEs: europium (Eu), lanthanum (La) and neodymium (Nd), and heavy REEs: ytterbium (Yb), dysprosium (Dy) and samarium (Sm) to capture trends across the rare earth element series. Explicit water solvation is employed to accurately describe hydration structure, ligand competition, and metal-ligand bonding under realistic aqueous conditions. We quantify binding affinities, coordination environments, and electronic structure descriptors to examine how chelation strength and solvation effects influence the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of electrochemical REE recovery. Insights from this work will provide fundamental design principles for electrochemical separation strategies to selectively recover REEs from complex wastewater streams.
Rapid Synthesis of Ultrahigh Silica MOR via Interzeolite Conversion of FAU
Presenter: Thomas John Whynot
Faculty Sponsor: Wei Fan
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A46]

Zeolites are versatile aluminosilicate materials used in catalysis, separations, and adsorption processes. The mordenite (MOR) zeolite framework features a large 12-membered ring channel and a one-dimensional pore system that enables shape-selective reactions. Increasing the Si/Al ratio reduces the number of aluminum sites in the MOR framework, which enhances hydrothermal stability, decreases acidity, and is associated with lower coke formation and higher catalytic activity. This study investigates the hydrothermal synthesis of high silica MOR starting from both amorphous silica and interzeolite conversion of faujasite (FAU). Dehydrated precursor gels favored higher energy metastable frameworks such as beta, while increasing water content did not yield substantial amounts of MOR. However, when FAU was used instead of silica as the precursor material under the same conditions, pure MOR formed via interzeolite conversion in 3 to 6 hours, much faster than the 20 hours required when starting from amorphous silica. These results show that the structural ordering in the precursor strongly directs the final product formed and demonstrate the effectiveness of interzeolite conversion as a targeted synthesis strategy. In addition, the use of dealuminated FAU as the starting material provides a new pathway to synthesizing high silica MOR for use in catalysis, adsorption, and separations.




Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia: Investigating the Role of Alkali Cations in Acidic Medium
Presenter: Ria Mehrotra
Faculty Sponsor: Zhu Chen
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A47]

Nitrate contamination, primarily from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge, poses environmental risks, as wastewater treatment effluents can contain up to 30 mg/L of nitrate. Addressing this issue through the electrochemical nitrate (NO3⁻) reduction (NO3R) to ammonia (NH3) presents a sustainable approach to ammonia production while mitigating nitrate pollution in wastewater. 

While catalyst activity is important, the interfacial microenvironment controls reaction kinetics, intermediate stabilization, ion transport, and consequently the activity and selectivity of NO₃RR. Among the most influential factors are the identities and concentrations of cations present in solution, which are unavoidable in practical wastewater systems. 

In this study, we systematically investigate the impact of common alkaline cation species, Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+, on the electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia in acidic medium. Nitrite and ammonia were quantified by UV–Vis spectroscopy with calibration curves prepared in the corresponding background electrolyte for each cation condition. Assays were automated using an Opentrons liquid-handling system. Hydrogen was quantified by GC. Preliminary results reveal a volcano shaped trend of ammonia Faradaic efficiency on alkali cation ionic radius, with Na⁺, Li+, and K+ exhibiting varying trends in NH3 selectivity. 

Understanding the role of cations is essential for bridging the gap between laboratory studies and real-world wastewater treatment applications, where electrolyte purity cannot be assumed. By studying how cations reshape the NO3R reaction landscape, this work contributes to the rational design of electrocatalytic systems with improved efficiency and selectivity, advancing nitrate remediation and sustainable ammonia production.
Biomembrane Interactions with Model Microplastics
Presenter: Mya Rachel Grossman
Faculty Sponsor: Maria Santore
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A48]

Micron-scale particles, including microplastics, increasingly interact with human cells. However,

their interactions with cell membranes remain poorly understood. My research investigates how

such particles adhere to model cell membranes using Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs), which

are microscopic lipid vesicles that mimic the surface of human cells.

GUVs are generated through electroformation. The initial stages of my project focused on

optimizing electroformation conditions to reproducibly create large batches of vesicles.

Parameters including applied voltage and frequency from a function generator, osmolarity of

sugar solutions, temperature, and electroforming duration were thoroughly examined and

refined, as each of these factors impacts the yield and quality of produced vesicles. The

electroformed GUVs were composed of two lipids with distinct charge properties: DOPC, a

neutral and zwitterionic lipid, and DOTAP, a cationic lipid which is used to impact membrane

surface charge.

To enable adhesion assays, I developed a purification protocol to remove particulate debris and

membrane fragments that interfere with membrane-particle interactions. A sedimentation and

re-sedimentation protocol was established by matching osmolarity conditions between sugars

used in the electroformation chamber and in the sedimentation assay, as well as determining a

time frame at which vesicles were settled at the bottom of a suspension tube and still viable. This

approach has demonstrated the production of purified vesicles suitable for adhesion studies.

By establishing a basis for vesicle formation and purification, this research provides a controlled

system for studying membrane–particle interactions and contributes to understanding how

synthetic particles may interact with human cell membranes.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Decorating Rings: Metalation of Phthalocyanine Macrocyclic Ring to Make Novel Dye Compounds
Presenter: Andja Kola
Faculty Sponsor: Benjamin W. Sturtz
School: Worcester State University
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A49]

The existence of long, directional interactions (LDI) was proposed based on structural analyses of cofacial oligomeric siloxysilicon phthalocyanines. It was further extended to siloxygermanium phthalocyanines. Silicon and germanium phthalocyanine centers were selected for a number of beneficial properties, a premier property being their diamagnetism. A wider study to the LDI investigation shows a number of transition metal phthalocyanines that appear to exhibit the same structural behavior. Therefore, building on this work, this current study explores the potential of titanium as a suitable metal center for dimeric cofacial axial functionalized phthalocyanines. Through detailed spectroscopic analysis, the study aims to evaluate how the introduction of these alternative metals influences the geometry, electronic environment, and stability of the cofacial systems, attempts to strengthen the evidence for LDI bonds in dimeric cofacial systems, and opens pathways for their broader application in the design of multifunctional materials and coordination architectures.
Targeted Polyurethane Enzymatic Degradation via High-Throughput Assay
Presenter: Maria Rose Colombo
Faculty Sponsor: Melody Morris
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A50]

Polyurethanes are polymers used in planes, construction, and other critical applications. These polymers vary in crystallinity, molecular weight, composition, segmentation, and use, making a "one size fits all" approach to recycling and enzymatic degradation impossible. Chemically, a polyurethane is defined by its urethane linkage, which connects hard and soft segments, increasing tensile strength, thermal stability, and elasticity through microphase separation. Hard segments result from the reaction of diisocyanates and diols (urethanes), which are best degraded by urethanases and proteases. Soft segments are composed of short polyesters or polyethers terminated by alcohol groups or polyols that can be hydrolyzed by esterases. We lack understanding of how polymer architecture and microphase separation affect the degradation of different sections of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers, and we seek to further this understanding by synthesizing a library of tagged polyurethanes and utilizing a previously developed high-throughput assay analysis to quantify enzymatic degradation. We will synthesize polycaprolactone polyols because the chain-growth polymerization mechanism provides greater control over molecular weight. Polyurethanes will be prepared using polyols and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate at multiple hard-to-soft segment ratios, and subsequently tagged with pendant galactose moieties. Upon degradation of the polymer matrix, monomers bearing a pendant galactose analog are released, triggering the quantitative expression of a fluorescent protein. The galactose moieties are selectively attached to the hard or soft segments of the polyurethane elastomer to track segmental degradation. With quantitative characterization, this project will provide a deeper understanding of how polyurethane elastomer microstructure and composition affect enzymatic degradation throughout diverse conditions.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Chymotrypsin Activity in Peptide-Based Coacervates
Presenter: Adhithi Varadarajan
Faculty Sponsor: Sarah L. Perry
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Room 165 [D1]

Bioremediation using enzymes offers a sustainable approach to mitigate pesticide and other chemical contamination in soils, but enzyme instability in aqueous environments limits practical applications. Encapsulation within complex coacervates offers a solution. Complex coacervates are liquid-liquid phase separated droplets formed by oppositely charged polymers, creating a protective environment that enhances enzyme stability and activity. This study investigates how the sequence and hydrophobicity of peptide-based coacervates influence the encapsulation and enzymatic activity of alpha-chymotrypsin (ChT). Using a series of designed polypeptides with varying charge block sizes and hydrophobic character, we quantify ChT partitioning between coacervate and supernatant phases via the Bradford assay. The charge fraction of cationic peptides is systematically varied from 0.1 to 0.9 to identify conditions maximizing protein encapsulation. Enzyme activity is assessed using a fluorogenic substrate, comparing free enzyme, supernatant, and coacervate-encapsulated populations. Previous work has shown that charge clustering on proteins like ChT enhances encapsulation compared to proteins with more isotropic charge distributions. Therefore, we hypothesize that peptide sequence and hydrophobicity modulate both the extent of ChT partitioning and its subsequent catalytic behavior. Early findings indicate that encapsulation efficiency is dependent on the specific pairing of polypeptide sequences, with some combinations outperforming others. Understanding these design rules for protein encapsulation will enable the development of coacervate systems for applications in environmental remediation, sustainable agriculture, and therapeutic delivery.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Design and Fabrication of an Electrochemical Cell for X-ray Synchrotron Studies
Presenter: Mazin Hussein
Faculty Sponsor: Sarah L. Perry
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Room 165 [D2]

Operando electrochemical X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is used to study electrochemical systems while a voltage is applied, allowing structural and electronic changes to be observed in real time. The reliability of operando measurements depends strongly on the design of the electrochemical cell, which must balance coupled constraints such as X-ray transparency, electrochemical control, and mechanical sealing. Although many operando cell designs are described in the literature, the practical fabrication challenges involved in building and sealing these devices are not discussed in detail. 

This project evaluates whether established operando XAS cell design concepts can be implemented using additive manufacturing and student-accessible fabrication resources at UMass Amherst. A modular three-component sandwich flow cell was designed for fluorescence-mode XAS with a 2.0 mm electrolyte path length and an active volume of approximately 200 µL. The architecture incorporates a Kapton X-ray window, spring-loaded pogo-pin electrical contacts, and a compression-sealed silver pseudo-reference electrode. Structural components were fabricated using fused deposition modeling, and the design was iteratively refined to improve sealing and assembly prior to transitioning to higher-resolution microfluidic printing.

Electrode substrates were fabricated on Kapton using sputtering to produce platinum traces with a defined active area. In parallel, a separate submersible electrode-testing fixture was developed to decouple electrode geometry and contact strategy from the full cell architecture, enabling systematic comparison of working and counter electrode layouts, substrate options, and reference configurations prior to integration into the operando cell.

Overall, this work establishes a structured validation pathway for operando electrochemical cells prior to synchrotron deployment and provides a foundation for future grazing-incidence operando flow-cell designs.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Electrochemical Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complexes
Presenter: Rayyan Khan
Faculty Sponsor: Sarah L. Perry
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Room 165 [D3]

As we focus more on sustainability, there is a search for materials made from natural and biomass sources. Complex coacervation (a liquid-liquid phase separation phenomenon that occurs when oppositely charged polyelectrolytes mix in an aqueous solution) is a uniquely enabling strategy for developing films, coatings, encapsulation strategies, and adhesive from biopolymers. Here, we investigate the effects of pH, charge stoichiometry and viscoelastic behavior complex coacervates of the biopolymer system carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and diethylaminoethyl dextran (DEAE-Dex). We quantified the effects of charge stoichiometry (on an ionizable monomer basis) and pH dependance, with changing salt concentration (KBr) using turbidity assays and optical microscopy. We assessed the phase behavior of the coacervate phase using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Viscoelastic behavior was assessed via parallel-plate rheology. Ultimately, these findings demonstrate that adjusting pH and salt concentration provides a quantitative method to precisely tune the physical and viscoelastic properties of biomass derived coacervates.
Evaluation of the Cryopreservation Potential of a Demineralized Bone Paper-Based Bone Organoid
Presenter: Daniel Nguyen
Faculty Sponsor: Jungwoo Lee
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Room 165 [D7]

The ability to cryopreserve organoids would enhance reproducibility, scalability, and accessibility of complex tissue models. Cryopreserving organoid constructs remains challenging due to diffusion constraints and freeze-thaw-induced functional loss. Certain epithelial organoids, such as intestinal organoids, have been successfully cryopreserved; however, engineered bone models possess greater matrix density, thus demanding prolonged culture and intricate cell–matrix coordination to sustain remodeling activity. Our lab has developed a novel biomaterial, Demineralized Bone Paper (DBP), which preserves native collagen structure and supports cellular interactions for osteoblast-osteoclast bone remodeling. We hypothesized that DBP-based bone organoids can be cryopreserved using a standard DMSO-based slow-freezing protocol while retaining post-thaw viability and functional remodeling capacity. Post-thaw recovery was assessed by monitoring osteoblast viability and mineralization capacity. Mineral deposition was quantified by reductions in transmitted mean light intensity—reflecting progressive mineralization. Cell viability and cytoskeletal architecture were evaluated at the endpoint using DAPI, live/dead, and actin staining. Cryopreservation induced an initial ~30% decrease in osteoblast viability relative to continuously cultured, non-cryopreserved controls; however, it recovered to baseline levels by day 6. Osteoblasts continued proliferating through day 12, increasing by ~20% before stabilizing, mirroring control trends. Immediate post-cryopreservation morphology was elongated, which normalized within 3–4 days. To determine whether remodeling functionality is preserved beyond osteoblast recovery, bone marrow mononuclear cells were introduced to induce osteoclast differentiation and demonstrate the preservation of coordinated bone remodeling dynamics following cryopreservation. These findings demonstrate that the DBP scaffold can be cryopreserved while retaining osteogenic and remodeling functionality, establishing a practical framework for banking complex bone models.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

In Vitro Bone Organoids to Determine Microplastic-Driven Alterations in Bone Metabolism
Presenter: Danae Angeliki Dimitrakopoulos
Faculty Sponsor: Jungwoo Lee
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Room 165 [D8]

In this study, we investigate the impact of microplastics on the bone remodeling cycle in vitro, utilizing a unique demineralized bone paper (DBP) model to test microplastic integration within bone tissue mineral, osteoblast (OB) and osteoclast (OC) activity, and cellular responses that determine bone mechanical properties. Microplastics are increasingly found in human tissues; however, potential effects on bone homeostasis are not fully understood. Bone remodeling is a tightly regulated process between OBs and OCs that may be disrupted by microplastic particles, causing clear skeletal health implications. We hypothesize that microplastic particles integrate into the mineralized bone matrix and are capable of altering the natural signaling molecule profile of bone metabolism. To test this, we used an in vitro DBP model that replicates the complexity of native bone extracellular matrix and acts as a scaffold for cellular interactions. Osteoblasts were cultured with fluorescent microplastic particles (3.05 µg/mL) and imaged throughout mineralization using an EVOS imaging system and confocal microscopy to localize particles relative to mineral deposition. In a second experiment, we ran a co-culture with OBs, bone marrow mononuclear cells (OC precursors), and microplastics to simulate physiological bone remodeling conditions. Experimental groups were compared to controls that did not contain microplastics and were cultured on DBP scaffolds and traditional tissue culture plastic.

Preliminary imaging results demonstrate microplastic integration within the cellular layer during mineral deposition on DBP scaffolds. These findings suggest microplastics may physically integrate into developing bone tissue and potentially affect signaling pathways that influence osteoclastogenesis. This work provides a framework for understanding how microplastics can impact bone remodeling. 
Chemical Modification of Kombucha-Derived Living Filtration Membranes
Presenter: Autumn Voyer
Faculty Sponsor: Jessica Schiffman
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A1]

Commercial polymer membranes used for water purification involve complex production equipment and toxic solvents, and many end up in landfills. We propose a sustainable alternative using kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose (BC). BC is produced from a symbiotic culture of Komagataeibacter rhaeticus bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCOBY) that forms a mechanically strong nanocellulose network which can self-repair and act as a filter for removing harmful bacteria or large molecules/particles from water sources. To further explore the applications of BC in water filtration, wound dressings, and food packaging, in this study, we treated the membranes with polydopamine, glycerol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or sodium hydroxide (NaOH). PDA coatings decreased the surface energy compared with cellulose controls by 2.9% (61.17 mN*m-1), which potentially would be beneficial for reduced adhesion of foulants in biomedical applications. PVA formed a distinct hydrogel surrounding the cellulose after full integration, and glycerol caused no significant mechanical or visual change. Dead-end filtration using a BC membrane requires pretreatment with NaOH, which decreased ultimate tensile strength by up to 50% after 20 hours, but it successfully removed lingering microbes as demonstrated by agar plate assessment. We determined the minimum amount of time required to remove microbes (starting with 5 minutes) to minimize reductions in mechanical strength while maintaining sterility for producing potable water. Assessing the chemical and physical impacts of varied chemical modifications will provide a basis for future research with a focus on self-healing, highly specific, and accessible water filtration membranes treated with NaOH.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Polydopamine-Mediated Immobilization of Oregano Oil for Sustainable Antibacterial Surface Coatings
Presenter: Jessica K. Chen
Group Members: Ella Sackett
Faculty Sponsor: Jessica Schiffman
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A2]

Currently, catheters utilize hydrogel coatings, which are created by the hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) due to its ability to create surface hydration that limits bacterial adherence. However, even hydrogels can be colonized with bacteria, raising concerns of increased risks of patients contracting bacterial infections. This study hypothesizes that dopamine will self-polymerize into polydopamine (PDA) coatings that self-adheres to a wide range of materials, including hydrogels, while also enabling the immobilization of small molecules for antibacterial usage. PDA is a molecule bioinspired from the DOPA protein found in mussels, where its abundant functional groups enhance its ability to adhere to a wide range of surfaces, even underwater. 

Scientists have also observed a rapid increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, highlighting our increasing need for greener antimicrobials. Oregano oil is able to render cell membranes of bacteria to be more permeable, resulting in the death of the bacterial cell due to leakage of molecules and ions. The swap to these natural molecules is more ideal and safe for human health applications. Since this study has just started, we will first study the antibacterial efficacy of oregano oil using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. Next, we will explore if PDA can immobilize oregano oil on glass surfaces, serving as both a model surface for attachment and release studies, as well as for antimicrobial testing of the immobilized oils. Long-lasting antimicrobial coatings are also needed on a wide range of high-touch surfaces that include glass. Ultimately, this project will pave the way for biomaterials, providing a sustainable alternative to the reliance on antibiotics.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Impact of Temperature Variation During Aqueous Phase Separation Processing on the Fabrication of Hybrid Coacervate Films
Presenter: Stephen Demetri Bate
Faculty Sponsor: Jessica Schiffman
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A3]

Polymer membrane and film processing has progressively moved away from the toxic non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process and towards the more sustainable aqueous phase separation (APS) method. Recently, it has been shown that a combination of natural and synthetic polyelectrolytes can be used in APS to produce a greener final product by reducing the amount of synthetic polymer present. In order to better understand the effects of APS process parameters on these films, this study evaluates how varying the temperature at different processing steps impacts the final film morphology and properties. The methods used to describe these effects will include the tuning of various film fabrication parameters. Previously, our group has shown optimal casting thickness for coacervates composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) was 40 mil. Using this established casting procedure, this study evaluated temperature as a variable at different steps in the processing method. Shifting temperature in the coagulation, during the drying process, and as a post-process annealing step were all evaluated for their influence on film mechanics and structure. Initial results show that when the coagulation bath is above the glass-transition temperature (45°C), the mechanical behavior of the films drastically changes. Furthermore, when subject to increased temperatures during drying and annealing, films underwent additional shifts in mechanical behavior. This work identifies optimal thermal processing conditions for enhancing the strength and stability of hybrid CMC/PDADMAC films, highlighting the great impact of temperature on the structure and morphology of polymer films. 

Developing an Optimized Cadmium Biosensor for Pseudomonas putida
Presenter: Tiffany Tan
Faculty Sponsor: Lauren Andrews
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A19]

Heavy metal contamination is a major source of soil and environmental pollution. Common heavy metal pollutants include mercury, cadmium, and lead. Cadmium is the most widespread toxic metal in topsoil worldwide. Cadmium exhibits higher mobility in soil environments which makes it easier for it to be absorbed by and accumulate in plants, where it can enter the food chain.  Current physical or chemical approaches to remediation face several drawbacks such as high cost, creation of secondary pollutants, and being limited to small-scale use. An alternative is bioremediation, which uses living cells and biological processes and can be more economical, less energy-intensive, and scalable. Here, we investigated using synthetic biology approaches to engineer the resilient bacterium  Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to sense and sequester cadmium. To create a cadmium biosensor, we utilized the allosteric transcription factors CadC (P. putida KT2440) and CadR (from P. putida 06909) with designed synthetic promoters for the sensor output. We performed sensor characterization in KT2440 and E. coli with varying the regulator expression. For the biosorption of cadmium, we further designed P. putida KT2440 to express a fusion protein consisting of a membrane surface anchor protein with a fused cadmium-binding domain that is displayed on the cell surface to capture environmental cadmium. Optimization of this biosensor construct will involve the design of synthetic promoter and ribosome binding site libraries to investigate the maximum output of the sensor without being overly toxic to bacteria and further fine tune this sensor. Overall,  this work explores a new strategy to create an optimized soil bacterium for cadmium detection and sequestration.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

CRISPRi Transcriptional Gates for Programmable Control of Bacillus subtilis
Presenter: Arya Manda
Faculty Sponsor: Lauren Andrews
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A20]

Synthetic genetic circuits allow for the precise engineering of dynamic cellular functions and programmable responses using transcriptional regulatory networks. Predictive genetic circuit design using transcriptional logic circuits has been developed in some bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, but has not been established for the industrially relevant Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Our objective is to establish predictive genetic circuit design for B. subtilis. Towards this objective, we designed, constructed, and characterized CRISPRi-based transcriptional  NOT gates for B. subtilis, which can be used as building blocks for more complex logic circuits. Each gate output promoter was computationally designed to contain a synthetic operator sequence. The transcriptional gates need to be connected together for complex genetic circuits without cross-reactivity. Therefore, we tested the orthogonality of a subset of five CRISPRi gates and assayed all 25 possible gRNA-promoter pairs. The CRISPRi gates exhibited high specificity and highly repressed only their cognate output promoter. To test composability of the gates, we then used signal matching algorithms to design and model genetic circuits for different logic functions. We built and assayed 15 genetic circuits, including those for NOR, two-input AND, and three-input AND logic functions. The experimental results correlated strongly with the predicted outputs. This validated our approach and use of signal matching algorithm for circuit output predictions in B. subtilis. In future studies, these CRISPRi gates should allow for precise transcriptional control and have wide ranging applications, including therapeutics and bioremediation.
Optimization of BBB-Crossing Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Brain Delivery and Modulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling
Presenter: Sai Sanjeev Reddy
Faculty Sponsor: Ashish Kulkarni
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A38]

Effective treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders remains limited by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a protective layer of cells that tightly regulates small molecule transport into the brain. Because of this selectivity, many promising drugs and nucleic‑acid therapies fail to reach effective concentrations in the brain when delivered through the bloodstream. Recent studies highlight the need for noninvasive strategies that use the body’s own transport systems, such as receptor-mediated transcytosis, to move therapeutic cargo across the BBB without damaging it. While alternative routes like nose-to-brain delivery can bypass the barrier, their efficiency varies, creating challenges for clinical translation. Thus, the need for scalable and reliable systemic delivery methods is quite relevant. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), already validated for nucleic‑acid delivery, are being increasingly redesigned for brain targeting. Untargeted LNPs can also reach endothelial cells that form the BBB, emphasizing the importance of measuring delivery at the level of individual cell types. Building on these advances, the present project focuses on optimizing BBB-crossing LNP formulations while measuring their influence on the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of innate immunity in the brain. Formulation features, such as PEG‑lipid content, cholesterol level, helper lipids, and lipid pKa, affect circulation and cellular uptake, yet few studies pair these delivery parameters with immune outcomes. This work aims to evaluate both BBB transport and NLRP3 activity to guide the design of LNPs that achieve effective brain delivery while maintaining immune and neuronal health.

RELATED ABSTRACTS

Characterization of Flowing Hydrofluoroethers at Cryogenic Temperatures
Presenter: Graeme Sullivan
Faculty Sponsor: Andrea Pocar
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Location: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A39]

Hydrofluoroethers (HFE) are a class of high-density organics that can be produced at high purity. These properties make HFE a suitable cooling fluid for cryogenic particle detectors, such as neutrino detectors, because these instruments require extremely low levels of background radioactivity. Stationary cooling of HFE relies on free convection, which slows at temperatures where HFE is viscous, and large surface area heat exchangers which increase radioactivity. Although HFE has been used in detectors like EXO-200, previous low temperature work with HFE has occurred only in a stationary configuration. To cool the tens of tons of HFE in neutrino detectors within a reasonable time scale while limiting radiation, it is suggested to circulate HFE to external heat exchangers for cooling. To inform the design of recirculated HFE cooling systems in future particle detectors, we have developed and constructed a lab-scale HFE recirculation system capable of characterizing the flow of HFE between 25ºC and -100ºC. Recirculation of HFE at a range of temperatures inside the circuit allows for characterization of both thermal and flow behavior of HFE under conditions like those in a particle detector. The HFE system was developed using core chemical engineering principles of heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, process design, and process control. This study outlines the design and operating procedure for a pumped cryogenic HFE system including important design considerations and common pitfalls associated with HFE. This study informs development of future HFE systems and will allow for successful operation of the next generation of particle detectors.

RELATED ABSTRACTS