(6e) Biomaterial Investigation and Development for Biomedical Advancement

Synthesis and development of biomaterials for health applications are the main focus of my research. Advancement of the biomanufacturing technologies will impact drug development, delivery and diagnostics. Protein characteristics, transport, and interaction with complex biopolymers introduce numerous challenges to these processes. They are of particular interest due to their ability to be catalysts, drugs or biomarkers. Harnessing their potential is crucial to developing innovative technologies. This requires understanding function and structure, and as necessary, engineering improved versions towards translatable results. This can lead to valuable bioproducts (such as drugs, excipients and cofactors), development platforms for future studies, and screening techniques.

Throughout my experience and training in pharmaceutical sciences and biochemical engineering, I have acquired a wide range of skills in systems biology, catalysis, reactor design, bioprocessing and prototyping. Being part of multiple projects that touched on a variety of topics has taught me the value of distinct perspectives. As a faculty member, I will strive to maintain a diverse and multi-disciplinary group that can investigate the multiple facets of biotechnology development. My students and I will employ experimental and computational methods to: (1) explore protein-biomaterial interactions; (2) synthetize and modify biomaterials of interest; (3) develop and validate applications for the health industry.

PhD dissertation: “Enzymatic Inhibition by Lignin during Second Generation Ethanol Production”, advised by Michael Ladisch, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University

Postdoctoral Projects:

• “Analytical Modeling of Biomass Transport and Feeding Systems”, part of successful grant DE-FOA-0001689 “Integrated Biorefinery Optimization”.
• “Development of Improved Delivery of Injectable Medicines”

Both under the supervision of Michael Ladisch, Purdue University

Teaching Interests:

My teaching philosophy is based on my experiences working in industry, conducting collaborative research and mentoring students. I aim to help undergraduate and graduate students to (i) understand concepts as they relate to other topic areas, (ii) identify and address the gaps in knowledge they may have, (iii) discover, create and develop new ideas that bridge academics and the real world. My studies in both pharmaceutical sciences and biological engineering give the tools to teach a wide range courses included in chemical and biological engineering curricula. Topics include catalysis, kinetics, (bio)reactor design, (bio)process engineering, among others. As part of my doctoral training at Purdue, I had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for a bioprocess engineering course. I prepared and taught lectures on enzymatic processes and modelling of their activity, in addition to preparing and grading assignments. In the laboratory, I have mentored multiple undergraduate students, guiding them as they develop their own projects. Besides experimental techniques, I have invested in teaching theoretical concepts to foster critical thinking and independence.

Selected publications:

dos Santos, A. C. F., Ximenes, E., Kim, Y., & Ladisch, M. R. (2019). Lignin–enzyme interactions in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Trends in biotechnology, 37, 5, 518-531. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.10.010

Zanchetta, A., dos Santos, A. C. F., Ximenes, E., Nunes, C. D. C. C., Boscolo, M., Gomes, E., & Ladisch, M. R. (2018). Temperature dependent cellulase adsorption on lignin from sugarcane bagasse. Bioresource technology, 252, 143-149. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.12.061

Zhang, L., dos Santos, A. C. F., Ximenes, E., & Ladisch, M. (2017). Proteins at heterogeneous (lignocellulose) interfaces. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 18, 45-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2017.09.003