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THE WORLD THROUGH MY EYES

Life is full of challenges and science is full of unknowns. I embrace life’s challenges and strive to unravel the unknowns.

As a Senior Materials Scientist, I leverage over 14 years of expertise to help high-tech and biotech start-ups transform groundbreaking concepts into commercially viable products. My diverse skill set spans engineering, organic materials, nanomaterials, and natural pharmaceutical materials, enabling me to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and industrial application. I am passionate about driving results and delivering impactful solutions.

My Ph.D. research focused on the intersection of organic chemistry and materials science, particularly in designing and synthesizing photoresponsive materials such as molecular switches. These molecules undergo structural and functional transformations when triggered by light, electricity, or chemical stimuli. My goal was to integrate these photoresponsive molecules into drug delivery systems, using light as a trigger to selectively release small molecules for potential therapeutic applications.

Between 2010 and 2014, I have explored the use of photochromic dithienylethene derivatives to control the properties of macromolecules (here). By incorporating thesemolecular switches into polymer backbones, I enabled ‘on-demand’ control of polymer properties. In one study, I synthesized a thermally self-healing polymer using a Diels-Alder reaction between dithienylfuran and maleimide monomers. The polymer's self-healing properties could be ‘gated’ by UV and visible light, turning the polymer’s adhesive strength on or off. Exposure to UV light enhanced the polymer's strength as an adhesive, while visible light weakened it. This innovative materials has potential applications in 3D printing.

In 2013, I introduced the concept of releasing singlet oxygen as a therapeutic agent from the surface of gold nanoparticles (here). Upon exposure to light, the nanoparticles generate heat through the photothermal process, which in turn triggers singlet oxygen release. This novel proof-of-concept has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of photodynamic therapy in the future. This study was highlighted in Chemistry World News.(here).

In 2015, I demonstrated that small molecules can be released from nanoparticle surfaces using two distinct wavelengths of light and photoresponsive dithienylethene ligands (here). In this study, I showed that the photothermal effect alone cannot cleave bonds and release small molecules from SiO2–Au core–shell nanoparticles unless the system is first exposed to visible light. Much like an AND logic gate, this system requires both near-infrared (NIR) and visible light to achieve the desired output. This versatile approach could address limitations in current drug delivery nanosystems.

Positions

Education

  • Ph.D. 2010 - 2015

    Organic & Nanomaterials Science

    Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

  • B.Sc. 2007 - 2010

    Organic chemistry

    Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC

  • B.Eng. 2000 - 2004

    Textile Chemistry and Fibre Science

    Arak University, Iran

Laboratory &

Technical Skills

  • Oragnic Synthesis

    Air & moisture Sensitive Reactions

    Organometallic Reactions

    Lithium-Halogen Exchange

    Cross-coupling Reactions

    Photochemical Syntehesis

    Pilot-scale Synthesis

  • Nanoparticles Synthesis

    AuNPs

    AuNRs

    SiO2NPs

    SiO2-Au Core-Shell NPs

    UCNPs

  • Air-free Techniques

    Schlenk Line

    Glove Box

    Degassing

    Cannula

  • Purification Techniques

    Column Chromatography

    Crystallization

    Vacuum Distillation

    Extraction

    TLC

    Titration

Instrumentation Skills

(operation & data analysis)

  • Spectroscopy

    FTIR

    1H NMR (1D & 2D)

    13C NMR

    Fluorescence

    Uv-vis

  • Chromatography & Spectrometry

    HPLC

    GPC

    LC-MS

    GC-MS

    ICP-MS

  • Surface & Thermal Analsysis

    TEM

    SEM

    SEM-EDX

    DSC

    DMA

    TGA

    PSA

    XRD

    DLS

Honors, Awards and Grants

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Molecular switches
  • Thermoresponsive materials
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Photochromic materials
  • Thermochromic materials
  • Photoresponsive polymers
  • Nanoparticle synthesis
  • Polymer synthesis

FAVOURITE JOURNALS

List of Publications

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Photothermal release of an encapsulated therapeutic agent from polymer-wrapped gold Nanoparticles

Baker D. V.; Arafeh, K. M.; Amir Asadirad; Kaur B.; Raza R.; Branda, N. R. , Branda, N. R.
Journal Paper Nanoscale Adv., 2021, 3, 4669
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A ‘Plug and Play’ Method to Create Water-dispersible Nanoassemblies Containing an Amphiphilic Polymer, Organic Dyes and Upconverting Nanoparticles

Amir Asadirad, ‡Arafeh, K. M.;‡ Li, J. W.;‡ Wilson. D.;‡ Wu, T.;‡ Branda, N. R.
Journal Paper J. Vis. Exp. 2015, e52869 (‡Authors contributed equally)
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Two Colors of Light are Needed to Break Bonds and Release Small Molecules from the Surface of SiO2-Au Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Amir Asadirad, Branda, N. R.
Journal Paper J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 2824
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Controlling a Polymer Adhesive Using Light and a Molecular Switch

Amir Asadirad, Boutault, S.; Erno, Z.; Branda, N. R.
Journal Paper J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 3024
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Photothermal Release of Singlet Oxygen from Gold Nanoparticles

Amir Asadirad,Erno, Z.; Branda, N. R.
Journal PaperChem Commun. 2013, 49, 5639.
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Using Light and A Molecular Switch to 'Lock' and 'Unlock' the Diels-Alder Reaction

Amir Asadirad,‡ Lemieux, V.; Branda, N. R.
Journal PaperOrg. Biomol. Chem. 2012, 10, 2787(‡Authors contributed equally)

CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS

  • 2023

    Ambassador of Kisolite Corp. at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference and Exhibition"

  • 2021

    ➤ Entegris Webinar: "Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery"

  • 2019

    ➤ SciFinder-n Trainign Webinar

    ➤ Mestrelab Research Webinar: "Mbook: an ELN for chemists, designed by chemists

  • 2016

    ➤ PerkinElmer - Nanolytica Educational Symposium, Burnaby, Canada – 2016

  • 2015

    ➤ 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC), Ottawa, Canada – 2015

    ➤ PerkinElmer - Nanolytica Educational Symposium, Burnaby, Canada – 2015

  • 2014

    ➤ 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC), Ottawa, Canada – 2015

    ➤ PerkinElmer - Nanolytica Educational Symposium, Burnaby, Canada – 2015

  • 2013

    ➤ International Symposium on Photochromism (ISOP), Berlin, Germany – 2013

    ➤ PerkinElmer - Nanolytica Educational Symposium, Burnaby, Canada – 2013

    ➤ Simon Fraser University Oral Presentation Competition, Burnaby, Canada – 2013

  • 2012

    ➤ 95th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC), Calgary, Canada – 2012

  • 2011

    ➤ Banff Symposium of Organic Chemistry, Calgary, Canada – 2011

    ➤ Simon Fraser University Poster Presentation Competition, 2011, Burnaby, Canada – 2011

Contact

If you should need my assistance with your research, please do not hesitate to contact me.