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Christian Capitini, MD

Jean R. Finley Professor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Acting Director, UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center

Professor of Pediatrics

Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Transplant and Cellular Therapy

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Abstract: Whole-body exposure to ionizing radiation can lead to cellular DNA damage that affects the bone marrow, causing hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). Bone marrow (BM) derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used for H-ARS but with limited success, and as a cellular therapy present unique challenges for rapid deployment on the battlefield. Allogeneic bone marrow transplant is currently used to rescue H-ARS, but can cause lethal complications like graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Known to be involved in orchestrating tissue homeostasis and wound repair, the therapeutic effects by MSCs are largely mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs). Secreted EVs contain functional cargo such as miRNA, mRNA, and cytokines and are transferred to recipient effector cells such as monocytes and macrophages. Depending on the cargo within the EVs, monocytes and macrophages can be polarized into a M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype involved in direct host-defense against pathogens or cancer, or an M2 phenotype associated with wound healing and tissue repair. Overall, the ability to polarize MSC-EVs makes their direct use an attractive “off-the-shelf”, cell-free approach to treat injuries associated with ARS. Our results indicate that a single infusion of EVs effectively protected mice from lethal H-ARS and GVHD in vivo. The EVs promoted hematological recovery by restoring CBCs and BM cellularity. TLR4 priming with CRX-527 signals MSCs to produce radio-protective EVs, which in turn prime monocytes and macrophages in vivo to produce both anti-inflammatory molecules and growth factors that facilitate immune reconstitution, BM tissue repair and hematopoiesis.  CRX-EVs can be produced in large quantities, cryopreserved, and then thawed for immediate use after a radiation mass casualty event. Overall, ease of use and potential for large-scale production make CRX-EVs an attractive “off-the-shelf” countermeasure against radiological and nuclear threats. 

Brochure

Photo Gallery

Winners of the poster competition

• First Prize: Hannah Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, Vanderbilt University
• Second Prize: Alyson Ackerman, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Josiel Barrios Cossio, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Isabel Aristizabal-Ramirez, Department of Physiology, ����vlog�ٷ����

Speakers

	Dennis E. Discher, Ph.D.  Robert D. Bent Professor, and Director, Physical Sciences Oncology Center/Project University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Biography: The Discher lab has sought to identify and elucidate some soft matter concepts across cell, molecular and tissue biology. They also have, occasionally, used biological approaches to inject some biological insights into soft matter science and engineering. Early discoveries included matrix elasticity effects on stem cell maturation and differentiation (Cell 2006), mechanosensing by a cell’s nucleus (Science 2013), and properties scaling of amphiphilic polymer assemblies for nano-delivery (Science 2002).  Current efforts focus on physics-driven evolution of mutations (Cell 2016) and engineering of macrophages to attack solid tumors (Nat BME 2023). The latter followed molecularly detailed studies of ‘foreign’ versus ‘self’ recognition (Science 2013). Dozens of trainees have secured positions in academia or industry around the world. Discher has been elected to the US National Academy of Medicine, the US National Academy of Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he serves on Editorial Boards of Science, Molecular Biology of the Cell, and PNAS Nexus among other journals.
	Andrew Stephens, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Biography: Prof. Andrew Stephens was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and studied dynein processivity in single molecule assays. Stephens completed his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Dr. Kerry Bloom's lab where he studied the pericentromeric chromatin spring's essential role in yeast mitosis. He continued as a Post Doc in Dr. John Marko's lab at the University of Northwestern to adapt micromanipulation force measurements to single nuclei and study the importance of chromatin mechanics in controlling abnormal nuclear morphology which is present in many human diseases. He is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Stephens Lab was started in 2020 and uses a combination of nuclear force measurements and cell biology to determine the mechanical force balance between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton which controls nuclear shape, integrity, and function.
	John F. Marko, Ph.D. Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences Northwestern University Biography: John Marko is a professor of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Alberta, Edmonton with a B.Sc. in physics in 1984, then received his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989. Prof. Marko’s research interests include biological physics, statistical mechanics and theoretical soft matter physics applied to problems of self-organization in molecular and cell biology. The Marko lab uses biophysical methods, with particular emphasis on micromanipulation of single DNA molecules and single chromosomes, to study the internal structure of chromosomes in vivo, and to study chromosome-organizing proteins and DNA topoisomerases in vitro. They also develop mathematical models relevant to these types of experiments. Projects in progress involve combining fluorescence microscopy and force microscopy in experiments on DNA-protein complexes and whole chromosomes, and in-vivo studies of coupling of chromosome dynamics to gene expression.

Walking directions from Chem/Phys to Healthy Kentucky Research Building.

2025 Naff Committee:

Dr. Ryan Cheng, Chair, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Chris Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Erin Peters, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Jakub Famulski, Department of Biology

Brochure

Photo Gallery

Winners of the poster competition

• First Prize: Hannah Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, Vanderbilt University
• Second Prize: Alyson Ackerman, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Josiel Barrios Cossio, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Isabel Aristizabal-Ramirez, Department of Physiology, ����vlog�ٷ����

Speakers

	Dennis E. Discher, Ph.D.  Robert D. Bent Professor, and Director, Physical Sciences Oncology Center/Project University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Biography: The Discher lab has sought to identify and elucidate some soft matter concepts across cell, molecular and tissue biology. They also have, occasionally, used biological approaches to inject some biological insights into soft matter science and engineering. Early discoveries included matrix elasticity effects on stem cell maturation and differentiation (Cell 2006), mechanosensing by a cell’s nucleus (Science 2013), and properties scaling of amphiphilic polymer assemblies for nano-delivery (Science 2002).  Current efforts focus on physics-driven evolution of mutations (Cell 2016) and engineering of macrophages to attack solid tumors (Nat BME 2023). The latter followed molecularly detailed studies of ‘foreign’ versus ‘self’ recognition (Science 2013). Dozens of trainees have secured positions in academia or industry around the world. Discher has been elected to the US National Academy of Medicine, the US National Academy of Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he serves on Editorial Boards of Science, Molecular Biology of the Cell, and PNAS Nexus among other journals.
	Andrew Stephens, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Biography: Prof. Andrew Stephens was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and studied dynein processivity in single molecule assays. Stephens completed his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Dr. Kerry Bloom's lab where he studied the pericentromeric chromatin spring's essential role in yeast mitosis. He continued as a Post Doc in Dr. John Marko's lab at the University of Northwestern to adapt micromanipulation force measurements to single nuclei and study the importance of chromatin mechanics in controlling abnormal nuclear morphology which is present in many human diseases. He is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Stephens Lab was started in 2020 and uses a combination of nuclear force measurements and cell biology to determine the mechanical force balance between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton which controls nuclear shape, integrity, and function.
	John F. Marko, Ph.D. Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences Northwestern University Biography: John Marko is a professor of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Alberta, Edmonton with a B.Sc. in physics in 1984, then received his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989. Prof. Marko’s research interests include biological physics, statistical mechanics and theoretical soft matter physics applied to problems of self-organization in molecular and cell biology. The Marko lab uses biophysical methods, with particular emphasis on micromanipulation of single DNA molecules and single chromosomes, to study the internal structure of chromosomes in vivo, and to study chromosome-organizing proteins and DNA topoisomerases in vitro. They also develop mathematical models relevant to these types of experiments. Projects in progress involve combining fluorescence microscopy and force microscopy in experiments on DNA-protein complexes and whole chromosomes, and in-vivo studies of coupling of chromosome dynamics to gene expression.

Walking directions from Chem/Phys to Healthy Kentucky Research Building.

2025 Naff Committee:

Dr. Ryan Cheng, Chair, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Chris Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Erin Peters, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Jakub Famulski, Department of Biology

Brochure

Photo Gallery

Winners of the poster competition

• First Prize: Hannah Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, Vanderbilt University
• Second Prize: Alyson Ackerman, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Josiel Barrios Cossio, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����, ����vlog�ٷ����
• Honorable Mention: Isabel Aristizabal-Ramirez, Department of Physiology, ����vlog�ٷ����

Speakers

	Dennis E. Discher, Ph.D.  Robert D. Bent Professor, and Director, Physical Sciences Oncology Center/Project University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Biography: The Discher lab has sought to identify and elucidate some soft matter concepts across cell, molecular and tissue biology. They also have, occasionally, used biological approaches to inject some biological insights into soft matter science and engineering. Early discoveries included matrix elasticity effects on stem cell maturation and differentiation (Cell 2006), mechanosensing by a cell’s nucleus (Science 2013), and properties scaling of amphiphilic polymer assemblies for nano-delivery (Science 2002).  Current efforts focus on physics-driven evolution of mutations (Cell 2016) and engineering of macrophages to attack solid tumors (Nat BME 2023). The latter followed molecularly detailed studies of ‘foreign’ versus ‘self’ recognition (Science 2013). Dozens of trainees have secured positions in academia or industry around the world. Discher has been elected to the US National Academy of Medicine, the US National Academy of Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he serves on Editorial Boards of Science, Molecular Biology of the Cell, and PNAS Nexus among other journals.
	Andrew Stephens, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Biography: Prof. Andrew Stephens was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and studied dynein processivity in single molecule assays. Stephens completed his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Dr. Kerry Bloom's lab where he studied the pericentromeric chromatin spring's essential role in yeast mitosis. He continued as a Post Doc in Dr. John Marko's lab at the University of Northwestern to adapt micromanipulation force measurements to single nuclei and study the importance of chromatin mechanics in controlling abnormal nuclear morphology which is present in many human diseases. He is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Stephens Lab was started in 2020 and uses a combination of nuclear force measurements and cell biology to determine the mechanical force balance between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton which controls nuclear shape, integrity, and function.
	John F. Marko, Ph.D. Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences Northwestern University Biography: John Marko is a professor of Physics & Astronomy and Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Alberta, Edmonton with a B.Sc. in physics in 1984, then received his Ph.D. in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989. Prof. Marko’s research interests include biological physics, statistical mechanics and theoretical soft matter physics applied to problems of self-organization in molecular and cell biology. The Marko lab uses biophysical methods, with particular emphasis on micromanipulation of single DNA molecules and single chromosomes, to study the internal structure of chromosomes in vivo, and to study chromosome-organizing proteins and DNA topoisomerases in vitro. They also develop mathematical models relevant to these types of experiments. Projects in progress involve combining fluorescence microscopy and force microscopy in experiments on DNA-protein complexes and whole chromosomes, and in-vivo studies of coupling of chromosome dynamics to gene expression.

Walking directions from Chem/Phys to Healthy Kentucky Research Building.

2025 Naff Committee:

Dr. Ryan Cheng, Chair, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Chris Richards, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Erin Peters, Department of ����vlog�ٷ����

Dr. Jakub Famulski, Department of Biology

Plastics are a miracle of modern chemistry. They are low-cost, lightweight, and endlessly formable. Plastics have been essential in improving food preservation, healthcare, energy efficiency, and consumer convenience. However, despite these benefits, the world’s inability to manage plastic waste has led to a pollution crisis with adverse effects on the environment and public health.  Although they don’t biodegrade, plastics do breakdown into micro and nano particles. Recent research indicates that these particles can penetrate the blood brain barrier and become lodged in brain tissue. The problem is not just the polymers themselves, but the chemical additives included in the formulation of plastics to modify properties. Chemical additives can make plastics more rigid, more flexible, resistant to fire, oxidation or UV light, or even add antimicrobial properties. Currently, there are more than 70,000 formulations of plastic on the market made from over 16,000 chemical species, including over 4,200 which are chemicals of concern. The long term health effects caused by plastic particles lodging in soft tissue and leaching chemicals by diffusion are largely unknown.

In an attempt to combat this crisis, in 2022, United Nations Resolution 5/14 to End Plastic Pollution with a Legally Binding Instrument by 2024 launched a series of negotiating sessions to develop a treaty to end the global plastic pollution crisis. Although the world has yet to reach agreement on a globally binding treaty, negotiations continue. Unfortunately, solutions that may be appropriate for highly developed countries are often impractical in low-GDP countries. Multiple factors, including the lack of strong governmental authority, insufficient infrastructure, and low value placed on human health versus economic development, tend to exacerbate the plastic pollution problem. Although low-GDP countries are typically only minor plastic producers, they often bear the brunt of mismanaged waste and the pollution it brings. The role of the informal sector is also important in low-GDP countries, where waste pickers often play a significant role in collecting and sorting waste, including recycling. As a result, potential solutions appropriate for low-GDP countries must be safe, simple, low-cost, and community driven. 

This seminar will focus on the current scope of the plastic pollution crisis and the specific environmental and public health challenges it causes. Additionally, the key challenges of waste plastic management globally and in low-GDP countries and some of the initiatives in place to address these challenges will be presented. Finally, the results of a case study from a small-scale, appropriate technology-based plastic-to-fuel project in Harare, Zimbabwe will be presented

Abstract: This project aims to develop the understanding of complex chemical interactions between solvent molecules and surfaces and will impact fundamental surface science as well as applied materials chemistry. Employing the novel sampling geometry, dynamic dewetting, thin fluid layers are created on solid surfaces. The molecular architectures formed within the thin fluid films are examined over varying thicknesses to reveal interfacial chemical environments. By tuning intermolecular interactions, the role of van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, micro-viscocity, and other chemical phenomena can be more adequately understood and applied to solve challenges in chemistry and materials science.

Bio: Research in the Shaw group combines modern analytical techniques with materials and physical chemistry to create new understanding of the molecular-level behavior at interfaces. Current and start-up projects span chemical systems that are both fundamentally intriguing and extremely relevant to current needs of our technology-driven society. Advances in these areas will allow predictive design of new, improved devices in a range of applications including energy production, polymeric materials, corrosion science, environmental remediation, microfluidics, and biomedical implanted devices. A few selected projects are outlined below. Experimental techniques encompass surface-sensitive optical spectroscopies, non-linear spectroscopies, probe microscopies, electrochemical methods, tensiometry, and novel sample preparation techniques, all targeted at revealing the interfacial properties of otherwise opaque chemical systems.   

Abstract: Known since antiquity, tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge throughout the world despite the availability of therapeutic interventions. The long treatment times of existing drugs along with the emergence of resistant variations have led researchers to seek new drugs. This seminar will describe ongoing projects to contribute to this goal, including the study of new b-lactam antitubercular agents and inhibitors of the TB phosphopantetheinyl transferase, a newly validated target. 

References

[1] Ballinger et al., Science, 2019, 363, eeau8959.

[2] Ottavi et al., J. Med. Chem., 2022, 65, 1996–2022.

[3] Ottavi et al., ACS Med. Chem. Lett., 2023, 14, 970–976.

Have you ever wondered what’s in the silo in front of the ����vlog�ٷ����-Physics building? It’s not corn or a missile, but rather the Van de Graaff particle accelerator of the ����vlog�ٷ���� Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL). UKAL opened in 1964 and is celebrating 60 years of nuclear science experiments this year. The majority of the work at UKAL focuses on neutron scattering studies for fundamental and applied science. We strive to elucidate the nature of the atomic nucleus including its excitations and shape, as well as to characterize materials relevant for projects such as next generation nuclear reactor design. A description of UKAL and this work will be given.

Abstract: Li-free solid-state batteries, which contain no excess Li metal initially, are considered promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and enhanced safety. However, heterogeneous Li plating onto the current collector leads to early failure and low energy efficiency. Porous interlayers positioned between the current collector and solid electrolyte have the potential to guide uniform Li plating and improve electrochemical performance. In this configuration, both the electrochemical reduction of Li ions and mechanical deformation, which allow Li metal to flow into the porous interlayer, occur simultaneously. These complexities make understanding Li plating kinetics challenging. Factors such as stack pressure, interlayer composition, current density, and the mechanical response of the interlayer can influence Li deposition kinetics. In this talk we discuss how heterogenous plating can cause fracture in the cathode and impacts the reversible operation of li-free solid state batters. We examine a model porous Ag-C interlayer with two different Ag particle sizes and observed Li plating behavior under various stack pressures and current densities. While Ag nanoparticles in the interlayer can facilitate Li movement, they can also induce internal stress, leading to void formation that impedes Li flow. Nanostructure analysis using cryo-FIB are combined with chemomechanical modeling to uncover the mechanical interaction of interlayer during the alloying reaction between Ag and Li. When comparing the morphology of Li electrodeposits at different conditions, morphological changes correlate with the creep strain rate over Li ion flux. The electrochemical performance is determined by the morphology of Li electrodeposits rather than the Li plating current density. 

Bio: Dr. Hatzell is an Associate Professor at Princeton University in the Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment and department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Dr. Hatzell earned her Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering at Drexel University, her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and her B.S./B.A. in Engineering/Economics from Swarthmore College. Hatzell is the recipient of several awards including the ORAU Powe Junior Faculty Award (2017), NSF CAREER Award (2019), ECS Toyota Young Investigator Award (2019), finalist for the BASF/Volkswagen Science in Electrochemistry Award (2019), the Nelson “Buck” Robinson award from MRS (2019), Sloan Fellowship in ����vlog�ٷ���� (2020), and POLiS Award of Excellence for Female Researchers (2021), NASA Early Career Award (2022), ONR Young investigator award (2023) and Camille-Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2024). 

The Hatzell Research Group works on understanding phenomena at solid|liquid, solid|gas, and solid|solid interfaces through non-equilibrium x-ray techniques, with particular interest in energy conversion and storage and separations applications. 

Abstract: Li-free solid-state batteries, which contain no excess Li metal initially, are considered promising next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and enhanced safety. However, heterogeneous Li plating onto the current collector leads to early failure and low energy efficiency. Porous interlayers positioned between the current collector and solid electrolyte have the potential to guide uniform Li plating and improve electrochemical performance. In this configuration, both the electrochemical reduction of Li ions and mechanical deformation, which allow Li metal to flow into the porous interlayer, occur simultaneously. These complexities make understanding Li plating kinetics challenging. Factors such as stack pressure, interlayer composition, current density, and the mechanical response of the interlayer can influence Li deposition kinetics. In this talk we discuss how heterogenous plating can cause fracture in the cathode and impacts the reversible operation of li-free solid state batters. We examine a model porous Ag-C interlayer with two different Ag particle sizes and observed Li plating behavior under various stack pressures and current densities. While Ag nanoparticles in the interlayer can facilitate Li movement, they can also induce internal stress, leading to void formation that impedes Li flow. Nanostructure analysis using cryo-FIB are combined with chemomechanical modeling to uncover the mechanical interaction of interlayer during the alloying reaction between Ag and Li. When comparing the morphology of Li electrodeposits at different conditions, morphological changes correlate with the creep strain rate over Li ion flux. The electrochemical performance is determined by the morphology of Li electrodeposits rather than the Li plating current density. 

Bio: Dr. Hatzell is an Associate Professor at Princeton University in the Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment and department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Dr. Hatzell earned her Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering at Drexel University, her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and her B.S./B.A. in Engineering/Economics from Swarthmore College. Hatzell is the recipient of several awards including the ORAU Powe Junior Faculty Award (2017), NSF CAREER Award (2019), ECS Toyota Young Investigator Award (2019), finalist for the BASF/Volkswagen Science in Electrochemistry Award (2019), the Nelson “Buck” Robinson award from MRS (2019), Sloan Fellowship in ����vlog�ٷ���� (2020), and POLiS Award of Excellence for Female Researchers (2021), NASA Early Career Award (2022), ONR Young investigator award (2023) and Camille-Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2024). 

The Hatzell Research Group works on understanding phenomena at solid|liquid, solid|gas, and solid|solid interfaces through non-equilibrium x-ray techniques, with particular interest in energy conversion and storage and separations applications.