IMAGE: This image shows Dr. Yuri Lvov (left) and Joshua Tully.
Credit: Louisiana Tech University
RUSTON, La. – Joshua Tully, senior chemistry student at Louisiana Tech University, has coauthored a paper titled "Halloysite Clay Nanotubes for Enzyme Immobilization," which has been published in "Biomacromolecules," a highly influential, international journal of the American Chemical Society (ACS.)
Tully, along with Dr. Yuri Lvov, professor of chemistry and nanosystems engineering in Louisiana Tech's College of Engineering and Science and Institute for Micromanufacturing, and Raghuvara Yendluri, a graduate student in Louisiana Tech's biomedical engineering program, authored the paper which outlines their work in using halloysite clay nanotubes, a natural and promising material in biomedical technology.
The applications of the research presented in "Halloysite Clay Nanotubes for Enzyme Immobilization" could result in a cheap and environmentally safe antimicrobial coating for hospitals, which may help in the fight against superbugs.
"Biomacromolecules" focuses on interdisciplinary investigations exploring the interactions of macromolecules with biological systems and their environments as well as biological approaches to the design of polymeric materials. The journal covers sustainable chemistry, monomers and polymers based on natural and renewable resources, metabolism of polymers and polymer degradation products, polymer conjugates, in vivo and in vitro biocatalysis, biomacromolecular assembly, biomimetics, biomineralization, bioprocessing, and biorecycling.
Lvov says that Tully's research success is indicative of his dedication and aptitude. "Joshua is a rare example of a mature undergraduate student who has shown research results at the level of a productive Ph.D. graduate student," Lvov said.
This article is one of many Tully has coauthored during his undergraduate studies and research activities at Louisiana Tech. In September 2015, Tully published a chapter in "Nanomaterials and Nanoarchitectures," a NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security book.
Tully is one of the research leaders in Lvov's research group. In June 2015, he was awarded a Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for his research on natural clay nanotubes for water purification. Tully also mentors a team of researchers and is the point of contact for collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, on medicine nanoformulation.
Tully has traveled to Kazan Federal University in Russia as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellow for halloysite nanosafety research and recently completed a highly exclusive internship in Florida with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is awarded to only five students nationwide.
Tully credits Lvov and Louisiana Tech for providing him with opportunities for experiences beyond those generally available to undergraduates.
"I am grateful for the opportunities Louisiana Tech and my advisor, Dr. Lvov, have provided for me," Tully said. "Without support from both, I would never have dreamed of accomplishing so much."
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