Members

Su-Ji Jeon

Postdoctoral researcher

jsuji@ucr.edu

Su-Ji earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Hanyang University, Republic of Korea. Her research focuses on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials and organic/inorganic hybrids for optical sensor for the detection of biomarkers and the investigation of their physical and chemical properties using various spectroscopic methods. For her doctoral work, she investigated functional nanomaterials for optical sensing and photocatalysis applications. Su-Ji's research currently focuses on studying and modeling the mechanisms of nanoparticle uptake in leaves and their use as sensors of plant signaling molecules.

Hye-In Kim

Postdoctoral researcher

hyeink@ucr.edu

Hye-In earned her Ph.D. in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Hanyang University, Republic of Korea. Her research focused on the Interface modulation of optical nanomaterials for the detection of disease biomarkers. She had deeply investigated the effects of surface modification, which can control the affinity between the nanomaterials and the target biomarkers. After she got her Ph. D. in 2020, she worked for the Korea Institute of materials science (KIMS) and developed a nanomaterial functionalized 3D scaffold to detect and inhibit an infectious bacterial proliferation in the field of artificial transplantation until joining this lab in Sep 2021. Hye-In's research currently focuses on studying and modeling the mechanisms of nanoparticle uptake in plants and algae and their use as sensors of plant signaling molecules.

ssharma@ucr.edu

Sandeep has been a member of the Giraldo lab since February 2022. His current research interest lies in the fabrication of carbon based nanocarriers to control plant pests. Before joining Dr. Giraldo lab, he worked as a postdoc for a year with research focused on “Fabrication of halloysite nanotubes based nanocarrier for plant disease management” in Prof. Ester Segal lab at Technion-IIT, Israel. He received his Ph.D. degree (2015-2020) from Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali-India, under the supervision of Dr. Vijayakumar Shanmugham. His Ph.D. research focused on the “Fabrication of Graphene-oxide based nanocarriers for agrochemicals delivery and to augment plant functions through nanobionics approach”. He received his M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology in 2012 from M.D. University and B.Sc. in Biotechnology from

Kurukshetra University- India in 2010.

bsharma@ucr.edu

Bhaskar earned his Doctoral degree from the School of Life and Environment Sciences, Deakin University, Australia. During his doctoral studies, he worked on hydroxyapatite-based nanocarriers for agrochemicals/nutrients delivery to cereal grain crops. He also studied ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and root-specific genes in plant physiological development and stress environment. He was a collaborator in the research projects focused on the structural and molecular characterization of proteins involved in disease pathogenesis (Malaria, Tuberculosis etc.). Bhaskar is currently engaged in the synthesis of biocompatible and scalable nanomaterials for nitrogen nutrient delivery to crops.

Supreetha received her B.S. in Technology-Biotechnology from St. Joseph's college of Enineering in India. Her current research focuses on studying nanomaterials for enhancing algae bioreactor photosythesis and CO2 utilization

Christopher Castillo

Ph.D Student

NSF Center of Sustainable Nanotechnology

ccast149@ucr.edu

Christopher received his B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles where he researched lipid transfer proteins putatively involved in Arabidopsis programmed senescence mechanism. His Ph.D. research is focused on fundamental understanding of plant biomolecule interactions with nanoparticles such as the formation of nanoparticle coronas in Arabidopsis plants.

Marina is a Plant Biology PhD student studying nanofertilizers and nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery in plants. She attained her BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of La Verne and graduate from their Honors Program. She entered industry for the next five years working at a lateral flow assay company Lumos Diagnostics, a plant biotechnology company Cibus then landing at Scripps Research Institute in the labs of Jamie Williamson and Danielle Grotjahn. There, she used cryo-electron microscopy to study bacterial ribosomes. Marina is a San Diego native and loves to rock climb, garden and spend time with her family and cats. 

Conor Murphy is a junior student at the University of California Riverside and is pursuing a degree in Biology. At the Giraldo Lab, Conor is researching different levels of cerium oxide nanoparticles and how they reduce reactive oxygen species and enhance photosynthesis in algae. He is interested in cancer research but keeps his mind open to other opportunities. His main goal is to get a PhD and eventually teach at a University

Qibo Xiang is an undergraduate Biology major from the University of California, Riverside. In the Giraldo Lab, she uses nanoparticles for gene delivery in different plant species. Qibo is interested in pursuing medical school after graduation. Outside of academics, Qibo enjoys spending time with her family.