Biomaterials Research Team
Dr. Suresh Narine
Herstelling, Guyana
Director, Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research
Professor, Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry
B.Sc. (Chemical Physics), Trent University
M.Sc. (Chemical Physics), AMINSS, Trent University
Ph.D. (Food Science/Materials Physics), University of Guelph
As director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Dr. Suresh Narine is delighted – and sometimes a bit humbled – to be working with such a talented team of organic chemists, materials physicists, and polymer chemists.
Dr. Narine believes that working within a cradle-to-cradle lifecycle has untold potential for real societal change. Sometimes the prospect of truly renewable materials helping to re-shape the face and functionality of the world around us has Dr. Narine feeling a bit heady.
A bit of a self-professed cheerleader for Trent, Dr. Narine is thrilled to be back in an environment where there’s real energy for discourse; where you can find a politics professor, a philosophy professor, and a physics student deeply engaged in a spontaneous conversation about what their work means to the environment.
Dr. Narine’s excitement about his work and about life is contagious. For him, there’s untold satisfaction in explaining the work he does to his (very cool) children, and watching their eyes light up with understanding and interest.
Maintaining a connection with his native Guyana, Dr. Narine writes and performs Guyanese dialect poetry and plays Indian drums (tabla and dholak). He is compiling a dictionary of Guyanese Creole, and does volunteer work in Guyana as the director of their National Institute of Applied Science and Technology.
As if life weren’t fast-moving enough, Dr. Narine has been known to speeds things up on his Honda VTX 1300 motorcycle, exploring the back roads around Peterborough, and making cross-country type trips every year.
Research Associates
Dr. Laziz Bouzidi
Kabylie, Algeria
Research Associate
BSc. (Physics), Universite de Setif, Algeria
MSc. (Condensed Matter Physics), Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg - ULP, France and Université de Sétif
Ph.D. (Condensed Matter Physics), Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg - ULP, France and Université de Sétif
For Dr. Laziz Bouzidi, it’s heartening to see the research strengths of the biomaterials team grow into a diverse skilled workforce and an international reputation.
Dr. Bouzidi’s work involves looking at the properties of biomaterials, investigating the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. He shares with the group an enthusiastic interest in the design of new materials architectures and new concepts relating to biomaterials, all with an eye towards real-world applications.
He expects the biomaterials research program to catalyze substantial spin-off research and development for a wide range of industries, with current and future research introducing new types of materials that will help shape new lifestyles.
And because biomaterials research is targeted at helping to achieve sustainability using renewable sources, it is expected to improve the quality of life for a large number of people, yielding more effective, more affordable and safe products.
When he’s not engaged in the challenging, extremely rewarding and deeply enjoyable work of biomaterials research, Dr. Bouzidi take pleasure in reading texts of philosophy and ancient history.
Dr. Shaojun Li
Zibo, China
Research Associate
B.Sc. Qingdao University of Science and Technology. (China)
M.Sc. Qingdao University of Science and Technology (China)
Ph.D. Institute of Chemistry, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (China)
How far would Dr. Shaojun Li go to work with his mentor, Dr. Narine? At least 3,000 kilometres, and counting.
Knowing that working with a talented professor and colleagues in a well-organized term makes life more peaceful and joyful, after two years with Dr. Narine in Edmonton; Dr. Li couldn’t help but pack his bags and make the move with Dr. Narine to the new Centre in Peterborough.
Along with his wife and their two young girls, Dr. Li has lived in Canada for just over four years, first in Montreal, and then Edmonton, pursuing work in organic chemistry and materials science.
Deeply affected by seeing images of parts of India and Africa covered with man-made waste, waters becoming dark, and the air fouled, Dr. Li is motivated by the potential for renewable biomaterials to help curb the rising tide of human-made pollution.
Dr. Li takes great enjoyment in the diversity within the biomaterials team, and in being surrounded by people who are always ready to give a helping hand. For Dr. Li, it’s exciting how effective and productive work in a team like this can be.
When not busy at home with his young family, Dr. Li enjoys watching soccer, cycling and running. In university, he was a dashing young man – competing in 5,000m and 10,000m races.
Dr. Leila Hojabri
Broujerd, Iran
Research Associate
B.Sc. (Pure Chemistry), Shahid Beheshti. Tehran, Iran
M.Sc. (Organic Chemistry), Tarbiat Modarres University. Tehran, Iran
Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry), Sharif University of Technology. Tehran, Iran
As an organic chemist, Dr. Leila Hojabri synthesizes biomaterials from agricultural sources – making products that are much “greener” than those from petroleum-based materials. Dr. Hojabri is excited about the great potential of these materials to help make a more environmentally sustainable society. She would like to further explore synthesizing lubricants and waxes from lipid.
Dr. Hojabri is delighted to be able to work in such satisfying collaboration with other researchers in the group, and challenges herself to stay as up-to-date as possible on developments in her field in order to bring as much knowledge as possible to these collaborations. She really enjoys the opportunity to exchange information with the other researchers, and finds the process helps her to understand and appreciate her colleagues’ fields of inquiry.
With a firm commitment to both the environmental sciences and interdisciplinary approaches, Dr. Hojabri is excited, too, by the great potential for this kind of broad-reaching, world-changing research at Trent.
Coming from two years at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Dr. Hojabri finds Peterborough a green, beautiful and relatively peaceful place. As of her first fall in Ontario, she even likes the weather.
After amazing visits to Niagara Falls, Jasper and Banff, Leila and her family crave more travel. Next up: la belle province, Quebec.
Post Doctoral Fellows
Dr. Shaine Joseph
Kottayam, Kerala, India
Research Programmer
B.Sc. (Physics), Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
M.Sc. (Physics), Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
Ph.D. (Physics), University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA & University of Missouri-Rolla, USA
Shaine Joseph is a Physicist with advanced computational skills and experience. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from the joint program of University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA and University of Missouri-Rolla, USA. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
In the past, he worked as a software engineer in USA and served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India.
His academic interests are Optics, Operations Research and Evolutionary Computation.
Dr. Jesmy Jose
Kerala, India
Post-Doctoral Fellow
B.Sc. (Pure Chemistry), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
M.Sc. (Pure Chemistry), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Ph.D. (Polymer Science), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Jesmy Jose obtained her Ph.D. in Polymer Science from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India. Prior to joining Trent, she worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Université du Maine, Le Mans, France.
She has conducted research work at several European laboratories. Polymer structure characterization is her forte. Currently she is working in the field of processing-structure-property relationships in Polymeric Biomaterials.
Technicians
Ali Mahdevari
Tehran, Iran
Lab Manager
B.Sc. (Chemical engineering) Azad University of Tehran
Peering into his microscope, Ali Mahdevari sees evidence of the way biomaterials behave as temperatures change. Ali prepares samples and keeps lab equipment calibrated
and maintained, ready to measure for key indicators like viscosity and shear rates; mechanical properties like modulus, creep, and coefficient of expansion; textural properties like hardness, spreadability, extrudability, and stickiness.
Ali enjoys a challenge. To him, new problems are just a way to finding new solutions, and to getting to know his equipment even better. Like any Lab Tech, Ali appreciates his colleagues’ collaboration in keeping the instruments and lab clean.
New to Peterborough, Ali is impressed by the natural beauty of the university campus and the Peterborough area. Not to be outshined by natural splendor, members of the community impress Ali and his family with their own warmth and kindness.
Ali tells us he enjoys spending time with his spouse, and we believe him. Their first child is on its way this year!
In her down time, Jiaqing enjoys reading gentle, finely crafted and invigorating novels; swimming; and watching rousing, fast-paced movies. She has a special penchant for popcorn.
Carolyn Payne
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Laboratory Technician
BSc (Chemistry/Economics), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
As a local native of Peterborough and of Trent University, Carolyn brings many years of experience to the Biomaterials Group. She is a retired chemist from a local industry but has decided to keep her foot in the lab, so to speak. Carolyn helps keep the labs in good condition, performs testing, calibrates equipment, and trains the budding chemists.
She especially enjoys the multi-cultural experience and young people in the group.
In her spare time in the winter, you can find her on the ice playing hockey and in the summer you can find her paddling a kayak up a quiet stream.
John Breukelaar, M.Sc.
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Laboratory Technician
Originally from Nijmegen,The Netherlands, John has had all his schooling in Canada, first in Nova Scotia and then in Ontario.
While teaching Physics at Trent University as the laboratory demonstrator for 35 years, John won the first Teaching Assistance Award at Trent University in 2007. John has recently joined the Biomaterials Group as the X-ray technician.
John enjoys hobbies such as stamp collecting and photography and outdoor activities such as wilderness hiking and canoeing.
Graduate Students
Ghazaleh Pourfallah
Isfahan, Iran
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Chemical Engineering), University of Isfahan, Iran
M.Sc (Chemical Engineering), University of Arak, Iran
Ghazaleh Pourfallah has been an Oleo-polymer student all her life! She is equipped with a bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering and Oil Industry and Master‘s in Chemical Engineering and Polymer from Isfahan, Iran.
She is now working towards preparing novel poly hydroxyl fatty acids as part of her research project with the Trent Biomaterial Research Program. Ghazaleh likes to explore the interesting world of vegetable oils and their useful applications. She hopes to apply her knowledge and skills in medical and pharmaceutical areas specially in cancer targeting.
She is passionate about sports particularly volleyball and equally enjoys traveling the world. Peterborough and Trent University have made it very pleasant for her not to miss home.
Michael Floros
Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), Trent University
Mike completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Trent University. As part of this degree, Mike chose to complete his fourth year project course with the Biomaterials Group. During this period, Mike achieved the huge feat of synthesizing the first totally bio-based thermoplastic nanocomposite within the group.
Today, this plastic finds medical and commercial application … all the way in Brazil! Won over by the charm of his experience in the group and the possibilities that a future in Materials Science would offer, Mike choose to continue studying at Trent’s very own Centre for Biomaterials Research pursuing his graduate career.
When he’s not synthesizing ground-breaking polymers or writing publications, Mike finds the time to enjoy life. He is a regular at rock climbing, cycling, all ‘winter’ sports and even cooking!
Prasanth Kumar
Kerala, India
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Chemistry), University of Kerala, India
M.Sc. (Chemistry), University of Kerala, India
Prasanth Kumar Sasidharan Pillai works as hard as he plays! His passion for polymer chemistry matches his fervour for Bollywood movies and cheerleading for the Indian cricket team. Prasanth’s background with research in nano-cellulose nano-composites using banana fibres as a part of his MSc. in Chemistry from Kerala , India, brought him to Trent University to explore renewable materials from vegetable oils.
Although Prasanth misses his parents and sister, he has found a home away from home in the Trent centre of Biomaterial Research group and a few cherished friends in Peterborough. In his free time, Prasanth is an avid Chess player.
Arun Gopinath
Kerala, India
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Physics), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
M.Sc. (Physics), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Arun loves to live life to the fullest! With a good academic background in Physics and an interest in structure - property relations of bio-molecules, Arun has come to Canada armed with a BSc. & MSc. in Physics from Kerala, India, to fulfill his research dreams.
He knows that he is in the right place with the Trent Center for Biomaterials Research because the group’s attitude towards work inspires him. He aspires to be an exceptional scientist with seminal publications.
He is an avid reader and loves to read books on history and science. In his free time he loves to catch up with a good movie and enjoys playing the game of Cricket.
Latchmi Singh
Arima, Trinidad, West Indies
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Chemistry), University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad
M.Sc. (Industrial Innovation & Entrepreneurship Management), University of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad
With her sights set on a career in research one fine day in 2011, Latchmi attended a presentation in Trinidad by the Trent Biomaterials Research Group’s own Professor Suresh Narine. Immediately Latchmi knew that this was where she wanted to be, and before she knew it, Latchmi was in Peterborough finding ways to replace present demands for petrochemical products with bio-based ones!
Latchmi’s present studies in the Materials Science program and her research work within the Biomaterials Group are complemented by a diverse academic and professional background which includes a first degree in Chemistry, some entrepreneurship exposure, and several years of experience within Trinidad’s petrochemicals industry.
In her free time, Latchmi finds joy in exploring and experiencing Canada. Most recently, Latchmi has taken up the task of learning to ice skate!
Shegufa Merchant
Pune, India
Graduate Student
B.Sc (Chemistry), Pune University, India
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Marketing), Institute of Management Development and Research Pune, India
Life is just a few breaths that say
“Live while we last
Till death take you away”
But…
Life is not made up of the number of breaths we take
It is made up of the moments that take our breath away!
Shegufa is on a quest to learn. She believes that the journey to understanding the nature of things is independent of age and time. With an educational background in Chemistry and Management from India and work experience in the field of Sol gel chemistry from Kuwait , working with both synthetic as well as biopolymers, Shegufa is inspired to seek out further learning in Canada about how nature’s materials can be used to bring about a better life for society through science.
She is supremely conscious of the privileges she enjoys as a part of an extremely talented and motivated group of scientists from the Biomaterials program, ever willing to share their knowledge and support each other’s growth and learning.
New to Peterborough and Canada she has found the same warmth and welcome in the community at large and particularly at Trent University.
She loves to spend time with her family and hopes to instil in her two young daughters the importance of an education versus literacy. In her down time, Shegufa loves to be actively involved with youth group and voluntary activities.
Athira Mohan
Idukki, Kerala, India
Graduate Student
B.Sc (Physics), Mahatma Ghandi University, India
MSc (Physics), Mahatma Ghandi University, India
Growing up in the lush green environment of Idukki district in Kerala, India, Athira would like the entire world to be an extension of that environment. She aspires to do something to protect the environment without disturbing development. Therefore, when she heard Prof. Suresh Narine’s lectures on Biobased materials she had realized her calling. This inspiration has brought her to Canada to pursue her vision.
She watches the co-operation, hard work and the friendly approach of the Biomaterials group and knows that she is in the right place to fulfill her passion in research.
Scientifically, she is drawn to Physics and has always enjoyed investigating the physical properties of materials. Her past work studying the optical properties of semi conductor quantum dots for solar applications are a case in example.
When she is not busy researching, Athira loves to explore. She enjoys travelling and takes pleasure in understanding the different faces of nature. She is also curious to know the various cultures of the world. What better place than Canada to view multiculturalism at it best!
Athira is also an avid reader, listens to soulful music and watches movies in her free time.
.
Emily Morrison
Lucknow, Ontario, Canada
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Biology, Business Administration), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
All the while growing up on a farm in rural Ontario, Canada, Emily thought the crops growing in her backyard were only meant to be eaten. It was not until coming to Trent University to do her undergraduate studies that she learnt that her crops could be turned into plastic!
Fulfilling an unusual undergraduate degree in a joint major of Biology and Business Administration, she was able to study in depth what was occurring in our environment, our excessive demand on petroleum, the corporate role in its destruction, and strategies for corporations to change.
What we are currently experiencing in the natural environment is not a straightforward situation. It is not easy or simple to explain and a “one size fits all” approach does not fit here. That is why Emily believes being a part of this group is so special! This group is not only made of scientists but ethicists, sustainable strategists, and there are partnerships with government agencies, private interests groups and, philanthropists. This brings so much diversity to all the discussions that occur within the office and the laboratories.
She believes world changing, Earth saving strategies will emerge from this interdisciplinary approach and therefore is in awe that she can be a part of this program to help change the world.
Former Members
Dr. Richard Hughes
Peterborough, Ontario
Research Associate (Analytical)
M.Sc. (Trent) Physical Chemistry
Ph.D. (Queen's) Physical Chemistry
Dr. Richard Hughes believes that eight heads tackling a problem are much better than one. While he might know a lot more about physical chemistry and number crunching than he does about animal anatomy, Dr. Hughes does know that he deeply enjoys being part of a dynamic team.
As a Trent graduate (M.Sc., 1980), Dr. Hughes is especially pleased to see developments in biomaterials occurring here, at an institution with such commitment to both environmental sciences and interdisciplinary approaches. In his work on the biomaterials team, Dr. Hughes helps fellow team members by using mass spectrometry to better understand the structure of compounds of interest. Dr. Hughes is co-author of one of the enduring authorities on Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.
Being part of a team where each team member gets support, advice and help from the others makes work on the biomaterials team feel like a microcosm of the way things should be headed. And how fitting to have such a sustainable, supportive work structure when working so intensely in a field so tied to environmental sustainability!
Believing that any move away from petroleum is a step in the right direction, Dr. Hughes is excited to contribute his knowledge of Physical Chemistry to help establishing future research paths for the team.
Outside of work, you can find Dr. Hughes online, sometimes hopping so far down a chain of web links that he happily loses sight of why he started. He also enjoys catching up with his grown children, cycling on the extensive system of local bike paths, and enjoying favourite movies.
Jiaqing Zuo
Beijing, China
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Chemistry), Nankai University. Tianjin, China
Jiaqing Zuo knows that a simple, warm smile can have the power to blow away misery and bring happiness. She sees that a splendid smile can be like sunshine, dissolving hostilities; a supportive smile brings courage; a friendly smile helps avoid misunderstandings; and a warm smile shows forgiveness. Smiles have the power to make the world a more lovable place.
A firm believer that the team’s work can – and will – help create a world more in harmony with the cycles of nature, Jiaqing brings her sunny disposition and deep understanding of personal communications to the work that she loves – producing polymeric biomaterials.
Working in the Trent environment, where people from different disciplines are often encouraged to communicate and cooperate, Jiaqing is impressed with the new perspectives that emerge, and possibilities of taking everyone’s research to the next level. And the natural beauty and character of the Trent campus certainly don’t hurt in promoting good relations between people!
Lila Derick Ajumni
Bamenda, Cameroon
Graduate Student
BSc (Geology), Université de Yaoundé I - Yaoundé, Cameroon
MSc-Maitrise (Geology), Université de Yaoundé I -Yaoundé. Cameroon
Master (Environmental Science & Policy), Clark University, Massachusetts, United States
With a background in natural sciences and a repertoire of interdisciplinary study on two continents; Derick believes that the sustainable economic growth of any society is powered by a clean environment, in which water quality, health and eco-social values are indispensable criteria for success. He strives to use approaches that differ from the norm to confront the complex issues of waste management, while providing alternative financially feasible options.
Derick’s interest in the Biomaterials program flares as the program strives to synthesize more environmentally 'friendly' polymers for use in the manufacture of lubricants. With an itch to solve issues with plastic waste and pollutants, getting involved in this program couldn't be but a real advantage.
The program presses to completely merge the thin line between corporate R&D and Academic Research with the aim to synthesize products that are further developed into 'green' commodities for the consumer stream. Products that don’t resist the recycling capabilities of our natural environment. He got involved in the research group because of its multidisciplinary nature.
The group has talents from Physics and Astrophysics, Chemistry (Organic & Inorganic), Engineering, Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences. With the flow of information and ideas within such a group, ideas and feedback gets passed along and various perspectives are reviewed.
When not purposefully hurrying through the hallways of Trent University’s Graduate Building from one end to the other, Derick enjoys playing soccer, watching Movies, and hiking in warm weather.
Luciana de Souza Guedes
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Graduate Student
B.Sc. (Chemical engineering), Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz (Brazil)
Post-graduate certificate in Cosmetics, Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz (Brazil)
With a background in the fundamentals of skin structure, raw materials for cosmetic products, quality control and marketing, Luciana de Souza Guedes works to better understand that nano-particles can transport active ingredients like vitamin E in anti-aging cosmetics.
She is excited about the many ways in which biomaterials and nanotechnology research can be applied in the real world, and enjoys her professional focus in the cosmetics industry.
In her work, Luciana is happiest when engaged in a hands-on research, running experiments and gaining knowledge of physics and chemistry at the particle level.
Along with her pursuit of technical and academic excellence, Luciana looks forward to building meaningful friendships with colleagues and fellow students. She revels in being part of such a culturally and academically diverse community.
Luciana takes pleasure in getting to know new places, and looks forward to visiting Canadian cultural hotspots including Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec. Something of a culture hound, Luciana likes to dance the salsa, and can’t wait for her next opportunity to learn a few new steps!
