Postgraduate Researchers

Aisling joined CBNI in June 2018 as a PhD student. Her research focuses on the development of nanoprobes for the characterisation of the protein corona of nanoparticles.

Aisling graduated from University College Dublin in 2018 with a BSc (Hons) in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Her final project was centred on the synthesis and metabolic evaluation of N-heterocyclic carbene-silver (I) complexes. During her studies she also completed an internship in the area of therapeutic protein engineering under the supervision of Dr. Marina Rubini, UCD.

Chiara graduated from the University of Urbino in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and 2023 with a master's degree in Medical Biotechnology. During her academic career, she undertook an experimental thesis investigating the effects of iron starvation on the growth of the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus under the supervision of Prof. Emanuela Frangipani. Chiara joined CBNI in June 2024, first as a research assistant and then as a PhD student. Her PhD project focuses on the structural and functional characterization of bacterial-derived extracellular nanostructures and their role in mediating host-cell communication.

Guohui graduated from Guangdong Medical University, China, in 2019 with a B.Sc. from the School of Clinical Laboratory Science. In 2022, he graduated from Guangzhou Medical University, China, with a M.Sc. in Immunology. His research was focused on the effects of different shapes of gold nanoparticles on mouse B cell repertoire. Guohui joined the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI) in September 2022 to start his PhD studies. The aim of his research is focused on the development of quantitative endosomal escape approaches for cytoplasmic delivery.

Camille graduated from the University of Bordeaux with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, majoring in drug development. Her final year project focused on the organic synthesis of borylated agents for reticulation in vitrimers, with applications such as hydrogels, at the institute of molecular sciences in Bordeaux, France.

Camille pursued her studies at the University of Strasbourg, where she obtained a Master's degree in Chemistry, Biology, and Drug Development. During her Master's program, she undertook an internship in her first year on the synthesis of novel antibacterial agents targeting the last enzyme of the Methyl Erythritol pathway at the Lebel Institute in Strasbourg, France.

In the last year of her masters, she worked on the development of multifunctional superparamagnetic nanoparticles for biological applications in CBNI.

In January 2024, Camille joined the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI) to begin her PhD studies. Her research, titled "Bio-inspired Particle Architecture Delivery Technologies" focuses on bio-sourced nanostructures from algae and the behavior of extracellular vesicles within the gut barrier.

Andrea Lombardo holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Palermo, Italy, with a thesis focused on the analysis of the optical luminescence properties of fluorescein and the effect of pH on the fluorescence response of the probe.

He continued his studies at the University of Palermo, where he obtained an MSc in Physics in 2024. His thesis project was mostly carried out during a traineeship at the University of Potsdam, Germany, and focused on using Spatial Intensity Distribution Analysis with confocal microscopy to reveal protein-protein interactions in living cells. In May 2024, Andrea joined the CBNI group to start his PhD with a project focusing on advanced analytical and imaging tools for the study of RNA transport in cells and tissues.

Liufang Liao joined the CBNI in September 2024 as a PhD student, his research focuses on how nanostructures can cross barriers. Liufang graduated from Guangzhou Medical University with an MSc in Pharmacy in 2023, During his master's degree, He studied the isolation of exosome subpopulations and the factors affecting the distribution.

Andrea holds a BSc in Biological Sciences and graduated in 2022 from the University of Pavia with a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. His thesis project was carried out at the Maugeri Institute and focussed on the Glyphosate herbicides' toxic effect on thyroid cells. In 2023 he moved to Denmark and worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Copenhagen focussing on differential gene expression and stress tolerance in Tardigrades in Nadja Møbjerg's laboratory. In 2024 he worked as a Quality Control Technician with LC-MS, HPLC and GC/MS systems. Andrea Marcantognini joined CBNI in 2025 as a PhD student. His project focuses on Protein-RNA architecture in biological nanostructures.

Breno graduated from Trinity College Dubin in 2023 with a first class honours degree in Nanoscience. During the course of his studies he undertook internships in the synthesis and characterisation of novel nanomaterials with Professor Wolfgang Schmidt and Professor Valeria Nicolosi. His final year project was carried out with Professor Richard Hobbs on the characterisation of anti-icing properties of Humboldt and Gentoo penguin feathers.

Breno joined CBNI as a PhD student working on complex nanostructures with multimodal function, such as magnetism and upconversion for various biological applications.

Xia joined the Centre for BioNano Interactions in January 2024 to start her PHD studies. She mainly focuses on the translation mechanism of RNAs carried by biological nanomaterials in recipient cells.

Xia graduated from Hubei University of Chinese Medicine with a B.Sc in 2019. After that she finished her master’s degree at Guangzhou Medical University in 2023. The aim of her research during this period was to study the metabolic kinetics of exosome RNAs.

Yanqiu joined CBNI in September 2022. Her research focuses on endosomal escape of novel nanoparticles. Yanqiu graduated from Chuanbei Medical College, China, in 2019 with a BE in Medical laboratory technology. In 2022, she graduated from Guangzhou Medical University with a MSc in Immunology. For her MSc research project, Yanqiu investigated the effects of different morphologies of gold nanoparticles on mouse T cell receptor repertoire.

Wanting joined CBNI in September 2020. Her research focuses on novel nanoparticle synthesis. Wanting graduated from Beijing Technology and Business University, China, in 2019 with a BE in Macromolecule Material and Engineering. In 2020, she graduated from University College Dublin with a MSc in nanomaterials chemistry. For her MSc research project, Wanting investigated the optimization of synthesis of magnetic multi core nanoparticles.