Felix Alfonso

Felix is a graduate student in Prof. Bianxiao Cui’s research group in the Chemistry Department. The Cui lab focuses on developing innovative techniques to study the electrical activities of neuron and cardiac cells. Felix is currently working on the application of electrochromic materials to optically detect extracellular action potentials. While in graduate school, Felix is concentrating on building a repertoire of multidisciplinary skills in electrochemistry, spectroscopy, nanofabrication, circuitry and neuroscience. His path to research began in Prof. Vincent Rotello’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His undergraduate research project consisted of quantifying the cellular uptake of the diamino terminated gold nanoparticles and cucurbit[7]uril (AuNP-NH₂/CB7) complex using matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for drug delivery applications. Felix aims to become a scientific leader conducting cutting-edge research and an educator inspiring the next generation of scientists.