Join us for our next seminar of 2024.

November 20, 4pm ET

Title: Developing Biophotonics Technologies using Melanin, Azo dyes and Natural Polymers

Dr. Kayrel Edwards

Post-doctoral Research Fellow (York University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Psychology, MiBar Lab, Steeves Lab)

Bio:

Kayrel Edwards is a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at York University.  Originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Kayrel completed her PhD in Chemistry from the McGill University in 2023.  She is the author of 6 peer reviewed manuscripts and has presented her work on photo-reversible azo dye/natural polymer complexes at over 15 conferences, receiving the best oral presentation award at Canadian Chemistry Conference & Exhibition (CCCE) 2021. In 2024, Kayrel received a Connected Minds Post-doctoral fellowship, supported by Canada First Research Excellence Fund, to develop Biophotonics Technologies at York U, joint between the Department of Physics & Astronomy,  and Department of Psychology.  Her current research interests involve ‘Erasing Racism in Optical Technologies’ by designing skin phantoms and performing brain studies involving near-InfraRed (NIR) light.  Kayrel is passionate about community outreach and looks forward to engaging with high school students in the GTA region to encourage enrolment in Biophysics amongst black children.

Abstract:

To create a more sustainable and ethical future, we must continue to transition from the use of petrol-based polymers to natural polymers which can biodegrade into non-toxic components. The combination of natural polymers such as cellulose and chitosan, with a photo-switchable small azo molecule, can produce smart materials that can be used for a wide range of applications.  In the first part of my talk, I will present results from my Doctoral work on developing photo-reversible materials capable of controlled assembly/disassembly in response to different wavelengths of light.  Plastic alternatives were prepared by ionically bonding natural polymers with azo dyes, and the materials were easily disassembled using blue or green light into their original starting components to be recycled to prepare 2nd generation materials. In the second part of my talk, I will present preliminary results on the fabrication of melanin-azo-chitosan skin phantoms, to increase the sensitivity of Biophotonics Technologies which utilize NIR light.  The goal here is to increase the sensitivity of fNIRs instruments (e.g. pulse and cerebral oximeters) when measuring darker skin tones and deep tissue, to erase racism in optical technologies.

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Our monthly online seminar series, features STEMM scholarship from across disciplines, aimed at a general STEMM audience.

All are welcome!

• 4pm ET
• Third Wednesday of every month
• October 2024 through May 2025.

Register once and we will remind you each month.

Watch this space for seminar speaker announcements!

• December 18
• January 15
• February 19
• March 19
• April 16
• May 21

The CBSN/RCSN gratefully acknowledges the University of Toronto Scarborough and its support as the Network Host Institution, and the Academic Program Committee of the Network for the BE-STEMM Seminar Series.