Publications and Past Research

The Effect of RBC Membranes on Polymerization Rates:

This study was based on the idea that homogeneous nucleation will be increased if there is a surface to adhere to, like that of a cell membrane. This project was conducted during my first year as a graduate student at Drexel University.

Polymerization of HbS Droplets in Oil:

My research group was experimenting with polymerizing HbS droplets that had a section covered from the laser light. It was found that the polymers in the exposed area would pull HbS molecules from the unexposed area decreasing the concentration of the covered area. The results of this experiment were published in the journal of molecular biology in 2007.
Access the Publication Here

NO Gas on HbS Polymerization Rates:

It was found that when HbS is exposed to NO gas, the rate of polymerization will decrease by about 50%. It was not known if the NO gas created R-state hemoglobin with 3 or 4 NO ligands (which would not enter a polymer), or if it was distributed as a 1, or 2 NO liganded species. It is easy to prove that the NO was not distributed as four ligands; theoretical calculations showed that polymerization would have decreased by a much smaller amount. My experiment included constructing an apparatus capable of photolyzing a sample of HbS mixed with CO and NO, and measuring the recombination of the CO to the HbS. The experiment proved that there was no fast recombination, and therefore no R state HbS. The results are to be published in 2009.

Final Project for Statistical Mechanics:

A research paper I wrote about Stochastic Homogeneous Nucleation that explains the basis of the nucleation theory used every day in my lab group.
Access my Project Here