Balaji Narasimhan
Associate Dean for Research and Economic Development
and
Professor
104 Marston Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Phone (515) 294-8019
Fax (515) 294-2689
nbalaji
iastate.edu
Education
B.S., ChE, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (1992)
Ph.D., ChE, Purdue University (1996)
Awards and Honors
Named by MIT's Technology Review Magazine as one of the World's Top 100 Young Innovators, 2003
ISU Foundation Early Excellence in Research Award, 2003
3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, 2003
ISU Engineering Student Council Leadership Award, 2002
Whitaker Foundation Biomedical Engineering Research Award, 2000
Best Doctoral Dissertation in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering, Purdue University, 1996-97
Omega Chi Epsilon, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi
Research Interests
Our research is targeted towards obtaining a fundamental understanding of macromolecular surfaces and interfaces via nanoscale manipulation to precisely control molecular architecture and functionality in these systems. The overall goal is to answer critical questions related to organization and dynamics occurring on length scales ranging from the nanometer to the micron- scale at surfaces of and interfaces between polymers, inorganic materials (e.g., Si surfaces), and biomolecules (e.g., drugs, proteins). The tools that we utilize include novel synthesis methodologies, state-of-the-art surface/interfacial characterization, and molecular modeling.
Our current research thrusts are in the areas of molecular design of polymer interfaces, structure- property relationships in lithographic polymers, engineering bioerodible polymers with tailored microstructure for controlled drug/vaccine delivery, rational protein stabilization strategies using nanostructured biodegradable block copolymers, and combinatorial strategies for nanoscale design and testing of adhesives and nanocomposites.
Other Information
Visiting Researcher - Chemical Engineering, University of Naples, Italy, May-July 1994. Collaborator: Gianni Astarita
Visiting Scientist - Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University, UK, May-July 1995. Collaborator: Sir Sam Edwards
Postdoctoral Fellow - Chemical Engineering, MIT, Summer 1996. Advisor: Robert Langer
Visiting Assistant Professor - Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 1996-97
Assistant Professor - Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, 1997-2000
Assistant Professor - Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2001-03
Associate Scientist - Materials Chemistry, USDOE Ames Laboratory, 2001-
Selected Publications
J. R. Nowers and B. Narasimhan, “The Effect of Interpenetrating Polymer Network Formation on Polymerization Kinetics in an Epoxy-Acrylate System,” Polymer, 47, 1108-1118 (2006).
C. E. Glatz, R. D. Gonzalez, M. E. Huba, S. K. Mallapragada, B. Narasimhan, P. J. Reilly, K. P. Saunders, and J. V. Shanks, “Problem-Based Learning Biotechnology Courses in Chemical Engineering,” Biotech. Prog., 22, 173-178 (2006).
M. J. Kipper, J. H. Wilson, M. J. Wannemuehler, and B. Narasimhan, “Single Dose Tetanus Vaccine Based On Biodegradable Polyanhydride Microspheres Can Modulate Immune Response Mechanism,” J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 76, 798-810 (2006).
M. P. Torres, B. M. Vogel, B. Narasimhan, and S. K. Mallapragada, “Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Polyanhydrides with Tailored Erosion Mechanisms,” J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 76, 102-110 (2006).
M. J. Kipper, S.-S. Hou, S. Seifert, P. Thiyagarajan, K. Schmidt-Rohr, and B. Narasimhan, “Nanoscale Morphology of Polyanhydride Copolymers,” Macromolecules, 38, 8468-8472 (2005).
