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Nikolas Chronis |
Nikolas Chronis has been appointed Assistant Professor. He will join the department in fall 2006.
Chronis' research focuses on the development of bio-MEMS systems. He has developed and demonstrated for the first time novel polymer micromachined 'amphibious' actuators that operate in both air and physiological media. Using these actuators, he fabricated polymer microgrippers for single cell manipulation, which can be used in various applications, including as microsurgical tools inside the body.
He has also developed a TIR- or total internal reflection-based biochip utilizing silicon micromirrors and polymer-filled cavities integrated with microfluidics. The resulting micro-optical system has potentially single-fluorescent molecule detection capabilities for ultrasensitive, high-throughput screening applications.
To explore how information is processed in complex neuro circuitry, from the sensory to the interneuron and motor neuron levels, Chronis fabricated a new microfluidic 'worm trap and fluidic delivery' chip that enables researchers to record activity from interneurons in the worm C.elegans. His work has yielded detailed data about the role and function of specific neurons involved in the worm's olfactory circuit.
A faculty position at U-M "offers two elements that a junior faculty member is looking for," said Chronis of his decision to accept the job at U-M: "an excellent academic environment with well-established faculty, an outstanding student body and top-notch facilities and infrastructure, such as state-of-the-art MEMS/NEMS fabrication labs for high-end research."
He is also excited about the myriad opportunities for multidisciplinary work and plans to establish an interdisciplinary bio-MEMS laboratory that focuses on system integration of micro-optical and microfluidic elements for lab-on-a-chip applications and point-of-care diagnostics. "The top-rated departments of biology and bioengineering and the University of Michigan Medical School will provide the to develop unique and successful collaborations," he said.
Given his research interests, Chronis will teach graduate courses in MEMS/NEMS and bio-MEMS/NEMS as well as undergraduate courses in fluid dynamics and heat transfer.
Currently Chronis is completing post-doctoral work at Rockefeller University. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his bachelor's degree from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Angela Violi |
Angela Violi has been appointed Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. She will assume the position in January 2006. Currently she serves as an adjunct professor in the ME department.
Violi's research focuses on nanoparticle growth and self-assembly, nanoparticle interactions with biomolecular systems, molecular modeling of complex systems using atomistic models, applied chemical kinetics and aerosols.
Particulate emissions on the nanoscale relate to two pressing environmental problems: the health impact of fine particles and global warming, according to Violi. The goal of her research is to characterize organic pollutants of high molecular mass both chemically and physically and to study their interaction with the environment and living organisms.
She is working toward the development of a theoretical nano-science program through the use of novel simulation methodologies at disparate spatial and temporal regimes such as Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo. The objective is to develop atomistic approaches to study the formation and fate of carbonaceous material since size, chemical functionalities and water solubility play a role in the interactions of aerosols with human lung tissue. Also as nanoparticles age, cyclodehydrogenation reactions lead to the formation of ‘graphitic’ domains that further enhance absorption, a process relevant to understanding global warming.
Since her research has evolved from experimental combustion to molecular modeling of complex systems using atomistic methodologies and nanoparticle interactions with biomolecular systems, she plans to teach a graduate course at U-M that draws on these areas with respect to molecular dynamics and applied chemical kinetics.
Violi earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Naples Federico II. She conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Utah, where she currently serves as joint research assistant professor in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry.
She is looking forward to continuing her work at U-M. "The University of Michigan has one of the strongest engineering schools in North America. I'm excited by the opportunity to work with such high quality students and faculty. Ann Arbor is a great place to live, and I'll be close enough to industry and other top institutions that I expect to have no difficulty cultivating rewarding collaborative relationships both on and off campus."