ERA-Chair Team

ERA-Chair Team

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Dr. Mihaela MENTEL, PhD in Biology

Mihaela Mentel is a research scientist grade III (CS III) with a PhD in biology since 2011. She received her Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest in 2005 while the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University “Al. I. Cuza“ in 2003.
Since October 2023, she joined the Nanotechnology Laboratory as experienced researcher in the ESEI-BioMed project. She is responsible for the employment of flow cytometry for evaluation of the nanoparticles uptake by cells.

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Dr. Sajid ASGHAR, PhD in Pharmaceutics

Dr. Sajid Asghar showcases keen interest in advancing therapeutic interventions through innovative delivery systems. He received his PhD from China Pharmaceutical University in December 2014 focusing on the anticancer nanomedicine. He has worked in Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan as an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutics and has carried out research in various drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, protein nanoparticles, solid dispersions, microemulsions, and hydrogel films. Since March 2024, he joined the research team of the Nanotechnology Laboratory as postdoctoral researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project. He is working to fabricate microfluidic-assisted liposomes for anticancer therapy.

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Dr. Vera BALAN, PhD in Chemistry

Research expertise in: development and biological characterization of biofunctionalized magnetic nanostructures for medical applications (chemotherapy, blood detoxification, bone tissue engineering).
Experience in research projects: 3 as Project Leader and Member in 13 research national projects as Researcher or Research assistant.
She published 2 book chapters, 27 ISI papers, 3 national patents, 11 ISI proceedings, 4 BDI papers and presented over 70 papers at international and national conferences.
Hirsh Index - 13; Total citations: 745;
Since November 2023, she is Postdoctoral Researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project in the Nanotechnology Laboratory. Her work is focused on development of new magnetic nanomaterials for chemotherapy; coordination of PhD and other students involved in the research topic.

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Dr. Ioana A. DUCEAC, PhD in Chemistry

She has experience in (i) Design and synthesis of polymers, functionalization of natural polymers as well as their physico-chemical characterization and (ii) synthesis and characterization of hydrogels and magnetic nanocomposites for drug delivery, wound dressing and tissue engineering.
The scientific results were published in 15 ISI-ranked journals and 15 participations at national and international conferences. Since November 2023, she is Postdoctoral Researcher in ESEI-BioMed project at the Nanotechnology Laboratory. She is responsible for design, synthesis and characterization of novel nanoparticles based on (functionalized) lipids, particularly liposomes, as well as liposomes-polymers hybrid materials, as drug delivery systems.

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Dr. Paula STACHE, PhD in Biology

Paula Alexandra (Postu) Stache is scientific researcher at the TRANSCEND IRO. She holds a PhD in Biology since 2019, which provided her with a scientific background in neurodegenerative disorders. She joined the future Nanotechnology Laboratory as postdoctoral researcher since 2021. She had the opportunity to be initiated in the in vitro evaluation of nanoparticles on cell cultures, particularly on glioblastoma cell lines. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project, where she continues her work on the in vitro evaluation of different nanodrugs effects in glioblastoma 2D and 3D cell lines.

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Dr. Irina TRANDAFIR, PhD in Biology

She is a dedicated and result-oriented Biochemist with a Ph.D. in Biology, from the Doctoral School of Biology at "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iasi, currently working as a Researcher at TRANSCEND (Center of fundamental research and experimental development in translational medicine) within the Genetics and Molecular Biology Department at the Regional Institute of Oncology (IRO) in Iasi. Throughout her education, she had cultivated general and professional competences in molecular genetics and biology, complemented by a Master's degree in Molecular Genetics and a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, both from the Faculty of Biology at "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iasi. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge in translational medicine, particularly in the realm of oncology. Her academic experience is characterized by a strong foundation in laboratory practices, including nucleic acid isolation, gene amplification, gene expression quantification and performing more advanced techniques such as Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing. Overall, her professional trajectory reflects a passion for cutting-edge research, collaborative projects, and a commitment to advancing our understanding of molecular biology in the context of oncology.
Since October 2023, she joined the newly formed Nanotechnology Laboratory as postdoctoral researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project. She is part of the group working on development of advanced techniques for cancer detection using RAMAN/SERS spectroscopic analysis of different biological samples. Her role is to perform an in-depth analysis of nucleic acids and other biomolecules extracted from different sources, including biological fluids (such as blood, plasma, etc.), cell lines, and exosomes. Her responsibilities encompass a comprehensive analysis of nucleic acids and other biomolecules derived from diverse samples, by employing specialized protocols for the isolation, purification, and reverse transcription of RNA, as well as DNA analysis. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, we aim to integrate findings from nucleic acids analysis and biomolecular investigations into the SERS/MVA approach in order to elucidate molecular signatures associated with cancer in the studied biological samples.

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Dr. Camelia Mihaela ZARA, PhD in Physics

She received the PhD degree in Physics at the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, in 2021. For more than 10 years, her scientific interest has been focused on the interaction of nanomaterials, such as magnetic nanoparticles, micro/nanoemulsions, nanowires, with living cells (normal/tumoral cells).
Since 01.11.2023, she joined the Nanotechnology Laboratory as a postdoc researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project, where she is involved in evaluating the biological properties of the nanoparticles developed in the project on 2D and 3D cell cultures.

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Dr. Bogdan STACHE, PhD in Biology

Alexandru Bogdan Stache holds a Ph.D. student in Biology since 2024. His thesis was focused on the cold atmospheric plasma treatment of mammalian cells. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Molecular Genetics obtained in 2014 and 2016, respectively, at the Faculty of Biology at the “Al.I. Cuza” University of Iasi. Currently, he is a research assistant within the ESEI-BioMed project, contributing to the advancement of cancer detection methodologies through analysis of diverse biomarkers in biological fluids.

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Dr. Vanda-Gianina MORARU, PhD Student

Dr. Vanda-Gianina Moraru is a general surgery specialist. She graduated the University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T. Popa” Iasi, Faculty of Medicine in 2014. Currently, she is PhD student and assistant researcher in the ESEI-BioMed project running at the Nanotechnology Laboratory. She works in the group focused on development of advanced techniques for cancer detection using RAMAN/SERS spectroscopic analysis of different biological samples (e.g., blood). Her role is to make correlation between the clinic parameters and the results of the spectroscopy.

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Eng. Chem. Alina IBANESCU

She is assistant researcher at the TRANSCEND-IRO since 2021 when the Nanotechnology Laboratory began to be established. Till September 2023, she worked on development of layered double hydroxides as nanocarriers for anticancer drugs and contrast agents for MRI. Since October 2023 she works as assistant researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project and she continues to investigate new nanomaterials with magnetic properties based on layered double hydroxides. She is also involved in the experiments associated with the final Master's theses of the students in the nano group.

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Chem. Mirela NISTOR, PhD Student

Mirela Nistor is currently in her second year of pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the Doctoral School of Chemistry, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iasi. Additionally, she serves as a Research Assistant within the ESEI-BioMed project at the Nanotechnology Laboratory, TRANSCEND, Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi. Her academic activities are in the nanomedicine for oncology, with focus on advancing effective cancer treatments tailored to individual patient requirements. Specifically, she works on the synthesis and refinement of iron-based nanosystems designed as (i) carriers for anticancer drug encapsulation and controlled delivery, thermosensitive nanostructures for hyperthermia-based therapy, and (iii) contrast agents for MRI.

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Chem. Ciprian-Paul MĂIREAN

Ciprian-Paul Măirean graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry, “Al. I.Cuza” University in 2016. In 2018, he received the Master of Science degree at the same faculty. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the same faculty. Since 2018, he works as a research assistant at the TRANSCEND, the Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi, specializing in the synthesis of radiopharmaceutical compounds. He joined the ESEI-BioMed research team and the Nanotechnology Laboratory as assistant researcher in April 2024. He carries out activities related to the synthesis, coating, and testing of isotropic plasmonic nanoparticles for SERS/RAMAN spectroscopy for cancer detection.

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Chem. Dragos OLARIU

He graduated the Faculty of Chemistry at "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, Iasi in 2022 while currently pursuing a master's degree at the same faculty. He was research assistant at the TRANSCEDN-IRO, Nanotechnology Laboratory, where he worked on development of the layered double hydroxides for MRI and drug delivery of anticancer drugs, which were the subjects of his Bachelor and Master theses. Since October 2023, he is assistant researcher within the ESEI-BioMed project. His scientific subject is on the synthesis and characterization of plasmonic nanoparticles for SERS/RAMAN spectroscopy for cancer detection. He is committed to advancing both professionally and within the research group at the Regional Institute of Oncology. He demonstrates a keen interest in acquiring knowledge, mastering new laboratory techniques, and utilizing domain-specific software.

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