Biography

Website:
Digital Works
Research with Rowan
Google Scholars

Education:
Post-Doctoral Assocate, Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Post-Doctoral Assocate, Magnetic Resonance, University of Nottingham (UK)
Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, Southern Illinois University
B.S., Chemistry, Southern Illinois University

Research Expertise:
Magnetic Resonance | Hyperpolarization | Quantum Dots | Nanomaterials | Electronic Cigarettes | Alternating Magnetic Field Hyperthermia | Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping | Dynamic Nuclear Polarization | Parahydrogen-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance | Biomedical Contrast Agents

Our lab has a multidisciplinary focus that largely centers on magnetic resonance and nanomaterials. My primary expertise is in hyperpolarization, which boosts nuclear spin polarization by several orders of magnitude and is used to enhance NMR spectroscopy and MRI contrast agents. Our lab is heavily invested in carbon-based quantum dots and are investigating their potential use as multimodal biomedical contrast agents and as photosynthesis enhancers for agriculture. Additional projects in our lab include examining nanomaterials emitted by electronic cigarettes, parahydrogen-enhanced magnetic resonance, spin-exchange optical pumping, dynamic nuclear polarization of nanoparticles, and alternating magnetic field hyperthermia.

Teaching Narrative:
I have the privilege to teach in two departments, and often find myself leading classes in introductory physics and biomedical instrumentation. My introductory physics classes utilize collaborative problem solving for practice and students engage in more frequent, lower-stakes assessments. My biomedical instrumentation courses heavily rely on primary scientific literature to learn about new techniques and instruments, and students regularly lead discussions about journal articles. I have also taught classes that focus on science communication.

Honors and Awards:
Jr. Faculty Travel Fund Grant, 2017
NJHF Research Grant, 2018
Frances Lax Faculty Development Award, 2019
Eppley Foundation for Research Grant, 2021
ACS PRF UNI Award, 2022
NSF CAREER Award, 2023
Singh Center Innovation Seed Grant, 2024

Professional Membership
American Association of Physics Teachers
International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Selected Publications:
Daley, J., Siciliano, J., Ferraro, V., Lounsbery, A., Sutter, E., Whiting, N. Boiling Point Suppression of Liquid Nitrogen Via Injection of Helium Gas Bubbles Improves the Generation of Parahydrogen-Enriched Gas. Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 62.2, 91-100 (2024).

Chimenti, R.V., Daley, J., Sack, J., Necsutu, J., Whiting, N. Reconversion of Parahydrogen Gas in Surfactant-Coated Glass NMR Tubes. Molecules, 28, 2329 (2023).

Kim, J., Heo, I., Luu, Q.S., Nguyen, Q., Do, U., Whiting, N., Yang, S.H., Huh, Y-M., Min, S-J., Shim, J.H., Yoo, C., Lee, Y. Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of Selectively 29Si-Enriched Core@Shell Silica Nanoparticles. Analytical Chemistry, 95, 907-916 (2023).

Mhaske, Y., Sutter, E., Daley, J., Mahoney, C., Whiting, N. 65% Parahydrogen from a Liquid Nitrogen Cooled Generator. Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 341, 107249 (2022).

Kim, J., Jo, D., Yang, S-H, Joo, C-G, Whiting, N., Pudakalakatti, S., Seo, H., Son, HY, Min, S-J, Bhattacharya, P, Huh, Y-M, Shim, JH, Lee, Y. 29Si Isotope-Enriched Silicon Nanoparticles for an Efficient Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probe. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13 (48), 56923-56930 (2021).