About Us
Our research focuses on the intersection of organic and solid-state chemistry with biomaterials, in particular engineered virus-like particles.
Photoactivation of Virus Like Particles in Smart Biomaterials
We are making “smart” materials out of proteins and small molecules that respond to external sources.
Controlled Delivery of Protein-Based Therapies with MOFs
We are using well-defined porous materials to create composites for long-term protein delivery.
Supramolecular/
Macromolecular Organic Imaging Agents
We are using the power of supramolecular self-assembly to create new types of MRI and fluorescent imaging agents.
Recent News
MOF-Jets—Even More DIY Drug Delivery
The Group has continued its efforts to “democratize” drug delivery. We had previously published a method on 3D printing micro-needle…
Graduations and Fellows of Royal Societies
Congratulations to two graduated rockstars, Dr Olivia Chastain (née Brohlin) and Dr Arezoo Sharivarkevishahi, who went off to be Senior…
Welch Renewed!
The group is very thankful to the Welch Foundation for renewing our grant. This grant (100K direct costs per year)…
Media Attention for the group’s UTI Vaccine Work
The recent article on developing novel whole-cell UTI vaccines in conjunction with the De Nisco Lab (Luzuriaga and Herbert et…
Recent Publications
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Fluorescent molecular probe for in vivo and in vitro targeting and imaging of an intracellular bacterial infection
S. Koirala, M. A. Gaspar, Y. H. Wijesundara, D.-H. Li, J. G. Gadhvi, R. N. Ehrman, S. A. Cornelius, C. Mariasoosai, T.-Q. N. Nguyen, O. Trashi, I. Trashi, S. Kumari, L. M. Hagge, T. S. Howlett, H. Torabifard, B. D. Smith, N. J. De Nisco* J J. Gassensmith* Chem. Sci. 2025, Advance Article. [HTML][PDF] -
Optimization of Immunogenic Cell Death in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with Virus-like Particle-Based Photothermal Therapy
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A Self-Adjuvanting Large Pore 2D Covalent Organic Framework as a Vaccine Platform
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Dually Functionalized Dendrimer for Stimuli-Responsive Release of Active Ingredients into the Skin
Meet the Team
Jeremiah J Gassensmith 🇺🇸
B.S. Chemistry (Hons)—Indiana University Bloomington and PhD—University of Notre Dame
- gassensmith@utdallas.edu
- Google Scholar
Emily Osborn 🇺🇸
B.S Chemistry—Abilene Christian University (Abilene, TX)
- Emily.Osborn@utdallas.edu
Neelima Koti 🇮🇳
B.S. Pharmacy — Andhra University (India) and M.S. Chemistry — Pittsburg State University
- Neelima.Koti@utdallas.edu
Nithish Agamendran 🇮🇳
B.S. and M.S in Chemistry—SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Nithish.Agamendran@utdallas.edu
Ziqi Wang 🇨🇳
B.S. Biochemistry—University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX)
- ziqi.wang@utdallas.edu
Miguel Gaspar 🇺🇸🇲🇽
B.S. Chemistry and M.S. Chemistry—University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX)
- Miguel.Gaspar@utdallas.edu
Thomas Howlett 🇺🇸
B.S. Chemistry—University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX)
- Thomas.Howlett@utdallas.edu
American Diversity and Global Mentorship
Instructional videos have been super helpful for many of us in the lab, but we notice most of them are in English. We wanted to give back by making a few in the languages we speak in the Gassensmith Lab.