Allison Freese and Celia Garcia-Hernandez, both Missouri State University chemistry alumni, recently worked on some intercontinental collaborative research that could change the pharmaceutical world.

About their research

They created nanoparticles and added biological material, known as nanoconjugates. After that, they analyzed the effects, including size, surface charge and stability. They tested the nanoconjugates to see if the biological material was still active.

“Their research is important as it demonstrates the unique properties of nanoparticles that enable them to bind, stabilize and deliver biological molecules without affecting their biological activity,” said Dr. Wanekaya. “This has potential applications such as more efficient and effective delivery of drugs among others.”

Wanekaya, professor of chemistry, was their adviser.

“They were hard working, dedicated and very motivated students,” Wanekaya said. “It was fun being in the lab with them. I am confident that they will be very successful in their future endeavors.”

Where are they now?

Freese graduated from Missouri State in May 2019. She works at Cargil Inc., in Wichita, Kansas.

Garcia-Hernandez is finishing her PhD at the University of Valladolid in Spain. After she defends her dissertation, she is going to come back to Missouri State as a postdoctoral research assistant in Wanekaya’s lab.