Laura Weinstein | Drug Delivery Systems | Best Researcher Award

Laura Weinstein | Drug Delivery Systems | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Laura Weinstein, University of Delaware, United States

Ms. Laura Weinstein is an accomplished biomedical engineering student at the University of Delaware 🎓, set to graduate in May 2025 with a stellar GPA of 3.97. With minors in nanoscale materials and chemistry 🧪, she has led impactful research in nanoparticle drug delivery, orthotic device innovation, and immunoengineering. Her work spans labs at Delaware and Vanderbilt 🏥, earning her top honors including the Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholarship and Best Poster Awards 🏆. Passionate about translational medicine, Laura’s dedication to improving healthcare through engineering solutions marks her as a rising star in biomedical research 🌟.

Publication Profile 

Google Scholar

Education

Ms. Laura Weinstein is currently pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware, with expected graduation in May 2025 📅. She maintains an outstanding GPA of 3.97 🌟 and complements her major with minors in Nanoscale Materials and Chemistry ⚗️. Her coursework spans core sciences and advanced engineering, including Introductory Biology 🧬, General Chemistry 🧪, Physics ⚛️, and Biomedical Experimental Design 📊. She has also delved into Immunoengineering, Cell Engineering 🧫, Nanomaterials, and Nanomedicine 💉. Proficient in Python and MATLAB 💻, Laura combines technical skills with scientific curiosity, preparing her for groundbreaking biomedical research 🔬.

Awards

Ms. Laura Weinstein has received numerous prestigious honors throughout her academic journey. From 2021–2025, she was awarded the esteemed Eugene du Pont Memorial Scholarship 🎓, covering full tuition, housing, meals, and book expenses. In 2024, she earned 1st place for designing a prototype to secure thoracostomy tubes 🩺. She is also a National Cyber Scholar (2022–2024) 💻 and won the Biomedical Engineering Distinguished Sophomore Award in 2023 🧬. That same year, she was recognized by the Delaware Department of Technology and Information 📡. In 2022, she placed 1st in the Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Innovation Sprint 🌱🚀

Experience

Ms. Laura Weinstein has been actively engaged in cutting-edge research at the University of Delaware’s Day Lab since January 2022 🏛️. Under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Day and PhD candidate Eric Sterin 👩‍🏫, she developed polymeric nanoparticles for biomimetic cargo delivery via cancer cell membranes 🧫. She contributed to refining purification protocols for DiD-fluorescent nanoparticles 💡 and guided fellow undergraduates in research techniques 📘. Her dedication extended beyond semesters, participating in multiple research fellowships and programs including the 2022 CBER Summer Scholars REU, 2023 Winter Fellowship, and 2024–2025 Summer/Winter Fellowships 🧪📊—highlighting her passion for biomedical innovation.

Research Focus

Ms. Laura Weinstein focuses her research in the dynamic field of biomedical nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery 🧪. Her studies explore cell biomimicry, using cancer cell membranes to improve therapeutic delivery for hematological cancers 🧫🩸. She also investigates nanoparticle purification challenges, ensuring enhanced precision in drug transport systems 🎯. Her work integrates principles of nanomedicine, immunoengineering, and materials science to develop innovative approaches in cancer treatment and diagnostics 🧬. Through her publications and lab experience, Laura contributes to advancing next-generation polymeric nanoparticle technologies—blending engineering and biology to revolutionize patient care and medical outcomes 🚀💊.

Publication Top Notes

Hiding in Plain Sight: Cell Biomimicry for Improving Hematological Cancer Outcomes

Standard purification methods are not sufficient to remove micellular lipophilic dye from polymer nanoparticle solution

Ms. Faezeh Aghajannataj Ahangarkola|Drug Delivery Systems | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Faezeh Aghajannataj Ahangarkola |Drug Delivery Systems|Best Researcher Award|

Ms. Faezeh Aghajannataj Ahangarkola at Babol Noshirvani University of Technology,Iran

PROFILE  

Google scholar

 

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Faezeh Aghajannataj began her academic journey with a strong foundation in pure chemistry, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mazandaran (UMZ) in Babolsar, Iran, in September 2018. Her undergraduate studies focused on the synthesis of pharmaceutical heterocyclics, particularly through multi-component reactions. Under the guidance of Dr. Robabeh Baharfar, Faezeh’s final project received a stellar grade of 4.0/4.0, demonstrating her early aptitude for research and her keen interest in the intersection of chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Building on her success at UMZ, Faezeh pursued a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology at the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology (BNUT), Babol, Iran. Her graduate research centered on the development of enteric hard capsules for targeting the small intestine, utilizing innovative materials like Pullulan and Eudragit L-100. This research culminated in a thesis titled “Enteric Hard Capsules for Targeting Small Intestine by Pullulan and Eudragit L-100: Processing, Characterization, and In-vitro Drug Release,” which was awarded a perfect grade of 4.0/4.0 (19/20), reflecting the high quality and significance of her work under the mentorship of Dr. Ghasem Najafpour.

Professional Endeavors 🏢

Faezeh’s professional career is marked by a strong focus on research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. During her time at Iran Gelatin Capsule in Tehran, she played a pivotal role as a member of the R&D team from February 2022 to May 2023. Her work primarily involved researching and formulating pullulan capsules at an industrial scale, a task that required both technical expertise and innovative thinking. Additionally, she contributed to the formulation and evaluation of controlled release systems designed to produce enteric-coated capsules without synthetic materials or external coatings, a project that aligns with the growing demand for more natural and sustainable pharmaceutical solutions.

Faezeh also gained significant experience as a teaching assistant during her academic career. She assisted in courses such as Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Physical Chemistry Laboratory at UMZ, and Advanced Engineering Mathematics at BNUT, showcasing her ability to convey complex scientific concepts to students. Her teaching roles not only enriched her understanding of the subjects but also allowed her to contribute to the academic growth of her peers.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Faezeh’s research interests lie at the crossroads of biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and chemistry. Her master’s thesis on enteric hard capsules represents a significant contribution to the field of drug delivery systems, particularly in the development of targeted delivery mechanisms for the small intestine. This work, which involved detailed processing, characterization, and in-vitro drug release studies, has the potential to impact the way oral medications are formulated and administered, particularly in terms of improving drug efficacy and patient outcomes.

Her research has been recognized through the publication of her work in reputable scientific journals. One notable publication is “Towards a Novel Pullulan and Pullulan-Enteric Hard Capsules: Study of Drug Release and Crucial Capsule Features,” co-authored with Dr. Gh. Najafpour and R. Ramezani. This paper, accessible , highlights the innovative approach Faezeh has taken in her research, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of drug delivery systems.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Throughout her academic and professional career, Faezeh has consistently achieved high marks and recognition for her work. Her thesis was awarded a perfect grade, reflecting the high esteem in which her research is held. Additionally, her academic achievements during her bachelor’s and master’s studies are underscored by her strong GPA, which stands at 3.6/4.0 (16.95/20) for her master’s degree, and her consistently high grades in her coursework.

Her work has also been recognized within the academic community through her roles as a teaching assistant, where she earned the trust of her professors to guide and mentor students in complex scientific subjects.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Faezeh’s research on drug delivery systems, particularly her focus on enteric capsules, has the potential to significantly impact the pharmaceutical industry. By developing more effective and targeted drug delivery mechanisms, her work could lead to improved patient outcomes, particularly for those with conditions that require precise delivery of medication to the small intestine.

Her influence extends beyond her research, as her roles as a teaching assistant and R&D member have allowed her to mentor and collaborate with others in the field, spreading her knowledge and fostering innovation in both academic and industrial settings.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Faezeh Aghajannataj is poised to make lasting contributions to the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences. Her innovative approach to drug delivery systems and her commitment to research excellence set her apart as a leading figure in her field. As she continues her career, her work is likely to inspire future research and development in the industry, particularly in the creation of more sustainable and effective pharmaceutical solutions.

🎓Publication 

Ethanol fermentation in an immobilized cell reactor using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  • Authors   :Ghasem Najafpour, Habibollah Younesi, Ku Syahidah Ku Ismail
  • Journal    :Bioresource technology
  • Year         :2024

Piperine—the bioactive compound of black pepper: from isolation to medicinal formulations

  • Authors   :Leila Gorgani, Maedeh Mohammadi, Ghasem D Najafpour, Maryam Nikzad
  • Journal    :Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety
  • Year         :2017

High-rate anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent in an upflow anaerobic sludge-fixed film bioreactor

  • Authors   :GD Najafpour, AAL Zinatizadeh, AR Mohamed, M Hasnain Isa, H Nasrollahzadeh
  • Journal    :Process Biochemistry
  • Year         :2006

Treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater by polyacrylamide (PAM) in polymer induced flocculation

  • Authors   :SS Wong, TT Teng, AL Ahmad, A Zuhairi, G Najafpour
  • Journal    :Journal of hazardous materials
  • Year         :2006

Power generation from organic substrate in batch and continuous flow microbial fuel cell operations

  • Authors   :Mostafa Rahimnejad, Ali Asghar Ghoreyshi, Ghasem Najafpour, Tahereh Jafary
  • Journal    :Applied Energy
  • Year         :2011