Members
2022 Summer
2017 Summer
Professor Thomas J. Meade
Principle Investigator
- Postdoctoral Fellow CalTech 1988-1990
- NIH Fellow Harvard Medical School 1985-1987
- Ph.D.: The Ohio State University 1985
Postdoctoral researchers
Jian-Hong Tang
jian-hong.tang@northwestern.edu
- Ph.D. Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2018
The aspects of my research interests are designing, synthesizing, and utilizing new molecular systems for bioimaging and therapeutic applications. In particular, we are interested in developing enzyme-activatable molecular MRI and FL probes for real-time tracking gene therapy and tumor imaging.
Matt Bailey
Matthew.bailey@northwestern.edu
- Ph.D. Wayne State University 2021
- B.S. Grand Valley State University, 2014
I’m a synthetic chemist with special interests in physical and analytical chemistry. My main projects in the Meade lab involve synthesizing custom self-assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles and gold electrode surfaces for biological theranostics and electrochemical sensing, respectively. I have an extensive background in magnetic resonance imaging, the design of small-molecule contrast agents, and chemical photocatalysis.
I'm cute looking and have a can-do attitude!
Graduate students
Andrew Johnson
andrewjohnson2015@u.northwestern.edu
- B.A. Chemistry, Central College, 2015
My research involves the use of nanoparticles as a delivery method for MR contrast agents and Cobalt Schiff base complexes. Currently, I am developing targeted nanoconstructs that can deliver MR contrast agents to tumor cells in a receptor expression dependent manner.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2016
Alumnae Grant, 2018
Christopher Brue
- B.S. Chemistry and History, The Ohio State University, 2015
My research involves the development and characterization of cobalt-schiff base complexes to be used as potential therapeutics for Altzheimer’s Disease.
Graduate Teaching Fellow 2018-2019
Shaunna McLeod
shaunnamcleod2015@u.northwestern.edu
- B.S. Chemistry and B.A. Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2015
My research focuses on improving the sensitivity of Gd(III) MRI contrast agents for molecular imaging applications through two approaches. The first strategy reduces the background signal of activatable agents by modulating the electronic relaxation time (T1e) of Gd(III), accomplished through magnetic coupling interactions. The second strategy utilizes carbon nanodiamonds as a platform for nanoconaugate contrast agents.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, 2017
Teaching Certificate Program 2017-2018
Graduate Teaching Fellow 2018-2019
ACS Women Chemists Committee Eli Lilly Travel Award, 2020
Megan Kaster
megankaster2022@u.northwestern.edu
- B.S. Chemistry (Summa Cum Laude), Oakland University, 2017
My research interests are focused on the development of lanthanide-based MR-shift probes. In addition, I am developing bioactivated nanoparticle MR imaging constructs with gold and carbon nanoparticles.
Chemistry of Life Processes Institute Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, 2018
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA F31), 2018
Meghan Dukes
meghanward2022@u.northwestern.edu
- B.S. (Suma Cum Laude) Chemistry, Auburn University, 2017
My research focuses on synthetic medications to our family of Co(III)-Schiff base transcription factor inhibitors to generate a platform synthon.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA F31), 2018
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention, 2019
Casey Adams
CaseyAdams2022@u.northwestern.edu
- B.A. (Summa Cum Laude), College of the Holy Cross, 2017
I am interested in the development of bioactivated MR contrast agents. I am currently working on a calcium activated contrast agent for non-invasive neuronal imaging.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA F31), 2018
Joseph Lambert Award, 2019
Hao Li
- M.S. Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2016
- B.S. Chemistry (Magna Cum Laude), University of California, Irvine, 2014
The goal of my main project is to develop dual activatable MR and fluorescent probes that will enable the sensitive and selective detection of biomarkers in vivo via dual modality imaging. This approach synergistically combines the deep-tissue penetration of MRI and the high sensitivity of fluorescence imaging.
Alumnae Grant, 2019
Alumnae Grant, 2020
Hendryck Gellineau
hendryck.gellineau@northwestern.edu
- B.A. Chemistry (Magna Cum Laude), Cornell University, 2019
My work focuses on utilizing cobalt Schiff base complexes as novel antibiotics by exploiting their axial ligand exchange chemistry.
Medical Scientist Training Program, 2027
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Fellowship for Nanotechnology, 2021-2023
Minrui Luo
MinruiLuo2021@u.northwestern.edu
- B. S. Chemistry and B. A. Physics, Syracuse University, 2020
My project focuses on developing a theragnostic targeting tool for molecular MR imaging of alkaline phosphatase in liver cancer by attaching targeted ligands and contrast agents to gold nanoparticles for improved liver cancer tissue visualization and discrimination.
Chemistry of Life Processes Institute Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, 2022
Andrew Brotherton
AndrewBrotherton2027@u.northwestern.edu
- B.S. Chemistry (Summa Cum Laude) University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2022
I have a background in push-pull fluorophores for sensing and photocatalytic applications and am currently working on reagentless redox active self-assembled monolayers for biosensor applications.
National Science Foundations (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, 2022
Naedum DomNwachukwu
Naedum.domnwachukwu@northwestern.edu
- B.S. Biomedical Engineering (Cum Laude) Cornell University, 2020
My research background is in biomaterials and drug delivery systems. In the Meade Lab, I work on developing novel diagnostic tools such as high relaxivity and bioresponsive MR contrast agents and self-assembled monolayers for electrochemical biosensors.
Medical Scientist Training Program, 2028
