Chemical Sensing and Drug Delivery

We are hiring one to two postdoctoral fellows. Expertise in at least one of the following areas is preferred: fluorescence spectroscopy, organic synthesis, biomaterials, and fundamental electrochemistry.

We have multiple slots for PhD students in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or Nanoscience Programs.

We have openings for hourly technicians for chemistry, material, or biology experiments.

We may have openings for undergraduate students interested in doing research for at least two semesters.

Aug. 2024: Dr. Wang is the recipient of the 2024 VCU Outstanding Early Career Award. Thanks to the hard work of all current and previous group members!

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-will-honor-six-vcu-educators-and-researchers

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-celebrates-six-vcu-role-models

Aug. 2024: We receive a Phase II grant from the Orphan Disease Center at Penn Medicine to continue our work on calcium sensors.

Jun. 2024: We receive the second VCU Commercialization Fund to develop decentralized chemical sensors.

Jun. 2024: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Matrafured 2024 (International Conference on Chemical Sensors). https://matrafured.ch/speakers.html

May 2024: Wuwei Li defended her thesis and will become a postdoctoral fellow in our lab. Aishwarya Patel and Simona Clement passed their PhD candidacy exams. Congratulations to all!

Oct. 2023: Our paper on chemical sensing in droplet microfluidics using interfacial fluorescence is published in Chemical Communications. Dye enrichment at oil-water interfaces enables highly sensitive turn-on fluorescence detection of ions. Congratulations to Renjie and the team! https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC02945J

Aug. 2023: Our paper on ultrasensitive colorimetric ion sensors for blood analysis is published in Analytical Chemistry. We developed a liquid-based electrolyte sensor that exhibits a drastic color change over the narrow concentration range of clinical relevance. Congratulations to Nasrin and the team! https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02926

Jul. 2023: We receive an NIH R21 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). We will develop calibration-free chemical sensors suitable for home use. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

Jul. 2023: Our paper on self-calibrated ion-selective electrodes is published in Analytical Chemistry. Congratulations to Nafesa and the team! https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02135

Jun. 2023: We receive a VCU Breakthroughs Fund to develop chemical sensors in droplet microfluidics.

Mar. 2023: We receive an NIH R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). We will develop nitric oxide-releasing intravascular catheters to reduce their infectious and thrombotic complications. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

Mar. 2023: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Pittcon 2023. The group also had four contributed talks/posters. We shared our recent progress in electrochemical and optical sensors.

Feb. 2023: We receive a VCU Commercialization Fund to develop an NO generation technology.

Dec. 2022: Our paper on NO release formulations using cyclodextrin-GSNO complexes is accepted in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering and selected as the Front Cover paper. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators!

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01284

Dec. 2022: We receive a commercialization grant from Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). We will continue our efforts on developing decentralized chemical sensing platforms.

Sep. 2022: Our postdoc, Renjie Wang, starts her independent research lab at Florida Atlantic University. Good luck!

Aug. 2022: Our paper on paper-based lead ion sensors is accepted in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Jun. 2022: We receive a grant from VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center to develop biocompatible implants.

Apr. 2022: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation on chemical sensors in the Hypoparathyroidism Think Tank organized by Penn Medicine.

Apr. 2022: Our paper on a wearable infection sensor has been selected to be featured as an ACS Editors' Choice in addition to being published in ACS Sensors. The ACS Editors' Choice initiative highlights one article each day that is chosen from the entire ACS portfolio. We developed a fundamentally new indole sensing mechanism and applied it to urinary catheters to detect E. coli infection in urine. Congratulations to Brock and the team!

https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.2c00439

Apr. 2022: Congratulations to Brock Brady for receiving the Altria Research Fellowship!

Dec. 2021: We receive an industrial grant to develop a chemical sensor for in vitro diagnostics.

Nov. 2021: Our paper on the stability of S-nitrosothiol solutions is accepted in Nitric Oxide. We found that the buffer concentration has a dramatic and complicated effect on the decay kinetics of S-nitrosothiols. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators! https://doi.org/10.1016/j.niox.2021.11.002

Oct. 2021: We receive an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG). This internal grant will support us to develop nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Sep. 2021: Our paper on ion sensing in droplet microfluidics is accepted in Analytical Chemistry. We used laser-induced fluorescence to detect electrolytes in << 1 microliter of undiluted whole blood. Congratulations to Renjie and the team! https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03394

Sep. 2021: Our paper on 3D-printed nitric oxide-releasing polymer devices is accepted in ACS Applied Bio Materials. We fabricated a drug-loaded silicone tube with a drug-free coating in one printing step. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators! https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.1c00887

Sep. 2021: Our paper on fabric-based optical sensors is accepted in Analyst. We printed pH and electrolyte sensors on Nike Dri-FIT clothing. Congratulations to Brock and the team! https://doi.org/10.1039/D1AN01349A

May 2021: Our undergraduate student, Yazan Mawaldi, receives the Altria Undergraduate Summer Fellowship. Congratulations!

Nov. 2020: Our invited review on ion sensing in microfluidics is accepted in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. Congratulations to Renjie! https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2020.129171

Mar. 2020: We receive an extramural grant from the Orphan Disease Center. We will work on low-cost chemical sensors for disease management.

Aug. 2019: Our first extramural research grant is awarded by JDRF. We will develop a nitric oxide release strategy to improve the performance of implantable cannulas and sensors.

Aug. 2019: Dr. Xuewei Wang starts his research group at VCU.

WANG Laboratory

CHEMISTRY

Chemical Sensing and Drug Delivery

We are hiring one to two postdoctoral fellows. Expertise in at least one of the following areas is preferred: fluorescence spectroscopy, organic synthesis, biomaterials, and fundamental electrochemistry.

We have multiple slots for PhD students in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or Nanoscience Programs.

We have openings for hourly technicians for chemistry, material, or biology experiments.

We may have openings for undergraduate students interested in doing research for at least two semesters.

Aug. 2024: Dr. Wang is the recipient of the 2024 VCU Outstanding Early Career Award. Thanks to the hard work of all current and previous group members!

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-will-honor-six-vcu-educators-and-researchers

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-celebrates-six-vcu-role-models

Aug. 2024: We receive a Phase II grant from the Orphan Disease Center at Penn Medicine to continue our work on calcium sensors.

Jun. 2024: We receive the second VCU Commercialization Fund to develop decentralized chemical sensors.

Jun. 2024: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Matrafured 2024 (International Conference on Chemical Sensors). https://matrafured.ch/speakers.html

May 2024: Wuwei Li defended her thesis and will become a postdoctoral fellow in our lab. Aishwarya Patel and Simona Clement passed their PhD candidacy exams. Congratulations to all!

Jul. 2023: We receive an NIH R21 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). We will develop calibration-free chemical sensors suitable for home use. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

Jul. 2023: Our paper on self-calibrated ion-selective electrodes is published in Analytical Chemistry. Congratulations to Nafesa and the team! https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02135

Jun. 2023: We receive a VCU Breakthroughs Fund to develop chemical sensors in droplet microfluidics.

Mar. 2023: We receive an NIH R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). We will develop nitric oxide-releasing intravascular catheters to reduce their infectious and thrombotic complications. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

Mar. 2023: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Pittcon 2023. The group also had four contributed talks/posters. We shared our recent progress in electrochemical and optical sensors.

Feb. 2023: We receive a VCU Commercialization Fund to develop an NO generation technology.

Dec. 2022: Our paper on NO release formulations using cyclodextrin-GSNO complexes is accepted in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering and selected as the Front Cover paper. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators!

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01284

Dec. 2022: We receive a commercialization grant from Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). We will continue our efforts on developing decentralized chemical sensing platforms.

Sep. 2022: Our postdoc, Renjie Wang, starts her independent research lab at Florida Atlantic University. Good luck!

Aug. 2022: Our paper on paper-based lead ion sensors is accepted in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Jun. 2022: We receive a grant from VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center to develop biocompatible implants.

Apr. 2022: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation on chemical sensors in the Hypoparathyroidism Think Tank organized by Penn Medicine.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.2c00439

Apr. 2022: Congratulations to Brock Brady for receiving the Altria Research Fellowship!

Dec. 2021: We receive an industrial grant to develop a chemical sensor for in vitro diagnostics.

Nov. 2021: Our paper on the stability of S-nitrosothiol solutions is accepted in Nitric Oxide. We found that the buffer concentration has a dramatic and complicated effect on the decay kinetics of S-nitrosothiols. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators! https://doi.org/10.1016/j.niox.2021.11.002

Oct. 2021: We receive an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG). This internal grant will support us to develop nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Chemical Sensing and Drug Delivery

We are hiring one to two postdoctoral fellows. Expertise in at least one of the following areas is preferred: fluorescence spectroscopy, organic synthesis, biomaterials, and fundamental electrochemistry.

​

We have multiple slots for PhD students in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or Nanoscience Programs.

We have openings for hourly technicians for chemistry, material, or biology experiments.

We may have openings for undergraduate students interested in doing research for at least two semesters.

​

Aug. 2024: Dr. Wang is the recipient of the 2024 VCU Outstanding Early Career Award. Thanks to the hard work of all current and previous group members!

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-will-honor-six-vcu-educators-and-researchers

https://news.vcu.edu/article/2024/08/42nd-annual-faculty-convocation-celebrates-six-vcu-role-models

​

Aug. 2024: We receive a Phase II grant from the Orphan Disease Center at Penn Medicine to continue our work on calcium sensors.

​

Jun. 2024: We receive the second VCU Commercialization Fund to develop decentralized chemical sensors.

​

Jun. 2024: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Matrafured 2024 (International Conference on Chemical Sensors). https://matrafured.ch/speakers.html

​

May 2024: Wuwei Li defended her thesis and will become a postdoctoral fellow in our lab. Aishwarya Patel and Simona Clement passed their PhD candidacy exams. Congratulations to all!

​

​

​

Jul. 2023: We receive an NIH R21 grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). We will develop calibration-free chemical sensors suitable for home use. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

​

Jul. 2023: Our paper on self-calibrated ion-selective electrodes is published in Analytical Chemistry. Congratulations to Nafesa and the team! https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02135

​

Jun. 2023: We receive a VCU Breakthroughs Fund to develop chemical sensors in droplet microfluidics.

​

Mar. 2023: We receive an NIH R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). We will develop nitric oxide-releasing intravascular catheters to reduce their infectious and thrombotic complications. Thanks and congratulations to the team!

Mar. 2023: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation at Pittcon 2023. The group also had four contributed talks/posters. We shared our recent progress in electrochemical and optical sensors.

​

Feb. 2023: We receive a VCU Commercialization Fund to develop an NO generation technology.

​

Dec. 2022: Our paper on NO release formulations using cyclodextrin-GSNO complexes is accepted in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering and selected as the Front Cover paper. Congratulations to Wuwei and collaborators!

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01284

​

Dec. 2022: We receive a commercialization grant from Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). We will continue our efforts on developing decentralized chemical sensing platforms.

​

Sep. 2022: Our postdoc, Renjie Wang, starts her independent research lab at Florida Atlantic University. Good luck!

​

Aug. 2022: Our paper on paper-based lead ion sensors is accepted in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

Jun. 2022: We receive a grant from VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center to develop biocompatible implants.

​

Apr. 2022: Dr. Wang delivered an invited presentation on chemical sensors in the Hypoparathyroidism Think Tank organized by Penn Medicine.

​

https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.2c00439

​

Apr. 2022: Congratulations to Brock Brady for receiving the Altria Research Fellowship!

​

Dec. 2021: We receive an industrial grant to develop a chemical sensor for in vitro diagnostics.

​

​

Oct. 2021: We receive an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG). This internal grant will support us to develop nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment.