Our lab studies how light interacts with materials, with a focus on using light to drive predictable changes in macromolecular systems. One exciting direction is light-controlled cargo release, which has potential applications in drug delivery.
We work with synthetic vesicles called polymersomes. These self-assemble from diblock copolymers into spherical structures that can encapsulate cargo in their inner core. By incorporating gold nanoparticles into the vesicles, we can make them responsive to pulsed laser irradiation, enabling cargo to be released on demand.
There are many ways undergraduate researchers can contribute to this highly interdisciplinary project. For example, you could explore how changing the type of diblock copolymer affects vesicle formation, study how nanoparticle size or shape influences light response, test how different types of cargo behave, or investigate how these vesicles interact with mammalian cells.
Projects can be tailored to your interests and background in physics, chemistry, biology. No prior experience with nanomaterials is required, just curiosity and motivation. You’ll gain hands-on experience in experimental design, lab techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis while contributing to research at the cutting edge of nanoscience and biotechnology.
Keywords/Areas of Study: nanomaterials, light, drug-delivery
Minimum Requirements: Students will be asked to complete laboratory safety training and laser safety training upon joining the laboratory. You will be taught all of the technical skills needed for the project, however, basic laboratory experience is preferred.
Hourly Time Commitment (per week): 10 – 20 hours per week, hours will be determined depending on if research is for course credit, pay, or volunteer opportunity
Length of Commitment: No less than 1 semester, but preference will be given to students looking for long-term research positions (1 year or more)
Start Date: Ongoing
Modality: Face-to-face
Type of Opportunity:
- Credit- or course-based (e.g., independent study, capstone project)
- Paid (e.g., Federal Work Study, funded research assistant)
- Volunteer (e.g., research assistant)
Contact Faculty Lead:
Julianne Griepenburg
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Contact: j.griepenburg@rutgers.edu
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