Dark Matter (DM) is hypothesized to be an exotic particle that is invisible to human observation. But thankfully, its existence is proven through its gravitational interaction with luminous matter (such as stars and galaxies), and it is responsible for the formation of the humongous structures across our universe. The leading interpretation of DM is what we call Cold Dark Matter (CDM), where the DM particles have relatively low velocities and low energies. This causes structures to form quite quickly and easily in the early universe. While CDM can explain many observed properties of the universe, it is not without its flaws (specifically on the scale of low-mass dwarf galaxies). The hypothesis of Warm Dark Matter (WDM) poses a viable solution to the shortcomings of CDM. In WDM, the DM particles are of higher energy and have higher velocities. This would cause the formation of the first gravitationally bound structures in the Universe to be delayed when compared to CDM. Using a model to approximate varying temperatures of DM, we compare the rates and characteristics of early structure formation for the current CDM hypothesis, and that of many other types/temperatures of WDM. We expect that the differences between CDM and WDM will be most apparent during the first billion years after the Big Bang, just as the first stars in the Universe ignite. These results may be indicative of the true nature of dark matter, and finally bring our understanding into the light.

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are highly perspective bioimaging agents due to a plethora of advantageous properties making them superior to conventional fluorophores. Those properties include stability to photobleaching, large Stokes shifts circumventing biological autofluorescence, and a capability of functionalization for drug delivery. In this work, a variety of GQD structures are imaged via visible fluorescence microscopy in order to evaluate the optimal GQD structures for bioimaging and bioengineering in vitro.

Infections deriving from the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus often result in severe respiratory diseases with a high mortality rate. Although rarely transmissible to humans, recent events such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have shown that a proper understanding of the life cycles of deadly viruses like H5N1 and any variables that affect its terminality are vital. One such variable could be the method of entry, and its impact on the progression of H5N1 is the focus of the study. Utilizing previous data on cynomolgus macaques subject to samples of H5N1, we study how entry via a combined intrabronchial, oral, and nasal pathway affect disease progression. We fit the data using a viral kinetics model, which allows us to estimate parameters describing the H5N1 life cycle. This allows us to better understand the life cycle of H5N1 in vivo.

Everyone gets sick and illness negatively affects all aspects of life. One major cause of illness is viral infections. Some viral infections can last for weeks; others, like influenza (the flu), can resolve quickly. During infections, healthy cells can grow in order to replenish the cells that have died from the virus. Past viral models, especially those for short-lived infections like influenza, tend to ignore cellular regeneration – since many think that uncomplicated influenza resolves much faster than cells regenerate. This research accounts for cellular regeneration, using an agent-based framework, and varies the regeneration rate in order to understand how cell regeneration affects viral infections. The model used represents virus infections and spread in a two-dimensional layer of cells in order to generate graphs of virus over time for corresponding regeneration rates. We find that the effect of cell regeneration depends on the mode of transmission of the infection.

Photothermal Therapy (PTT) provides a promising new method of radiative therapy cancer, using infrared wavelengths. In my project, the ability of these materials to heat up when shone with near infrared light, or the photothermal effect, of various nanomaterials—including reduced graphene oxide, reduced graphene quantum dots , and copper sulfide nanoparticles—is characterized by irradiation of the aqueous materials with near-infrared radiation.