Tolou Shokuhfar

Tolou Shokuhfar

Tolou Shokuhfar has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award to investigate biomineralization in hydrated proteins; a NSF Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award to investigate the new touch-and-kill mechanism of 2D nanomaterial interactions with bacteria; and an NSF Materials Research (DMR) award to investigate biomineralization and demineralization of kidney stones using this novel technology and the state-of-art in-situ liquid electron microscopy/spectroscopy.

Shokuhfar focuses on two areas of research:

The first area is smart and multifunctional 3D-printable biomaterials with bone tissue regeneration and antimicrobial properties. She has developed a unique 2D nanomaterial, inspired by the cicada wing, that kills bacteria upon contact and prevents bacteria resistance.

The second area is in situ liquid electron microscopy of biomolecules and biochemical activities in wet or hydrated environment. Shokuhfar has advanced a novel technology — biocompatible graphene liquid cell bioreactors — for nanoscale-level transmission electron microscopy imaging of biological and living systems such as bacteria and their dynamic intracellular events. Previously, such high-resolution imaging was only possible in cryo-preserved cells.

Subject areas:

• Biomaterials
• Nanomedicine
• Nanoscience and nanotechnology
• Electron microscopy of living systems
• Regenerative engineering
• Bio-inspired antibacterials
• Orthopaedic and dental implants
• Surface modification
• Diversity and inclusion in workforce development