Name: Likun Yang
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Molecular Imaging
Department: Radiology
Role on Project: Radiochemistry – nano-particle inorganic core synthesis
Educational Background:
2000, B.S., Beihua University, Jilin, China, Chemistry
2004, M.S., Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China, Physical Chemistry
2007, Ph.D., Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, Physical Chemistry
Relevant Training/Research
Likun has background in the synthesis of nanoparticles and has recently gained expertise in the synthesis of
radio-nanoparticles using a novel approach. This approach involves intrinsically radiolabeling nanoceria and
other nanoparticles such that the radioisotope is incorporated into the nanoparticle core. Rather than the
traditional approach which incorporates radioisotopes into nanoparticle coatings and could result in a signal not
correlated with the nanoparticle as the coating degrades, Likun’s approach allows for direct measurement of
nanoparticle concentration/location using gamma counting and imaging,. Likun also has the necessary
expertise in the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials including the use of transmission electron
microscopy, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, zeta-potential
analysis, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, UV-vis/fluorescence, and gel-electrophoresis, and other
analytical techniques. She also has expertise in bio-conjugation methodologies of nanomaterials to various
targeting molecules. This expertise is crucial for targeting of nanoparticles using polymer compounds and
pharmaceuticals.
Most Representative Publication:
Yang, L. K., Sun, M. H., Lamichane, N., Schutte, J., Chiao, D., Sundaresan, G., Asati, A., Perez, J. M., Zweit, J.
(2011) Synthesis of different functionalized 141Ce-nanoparticles and their application in biological imaging.
SNM 2011 Annual Meeting Scientific Abstracts, 52, 317.
Name: Minghao Sun
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Molecular Imaging
Department: Radiology
Role on Project: Radiochemistry – nano-particle coating and targeting
Educational Background:
2000, B.S., Jilin University, Changchun, China, Industries of Fine Chemicals
2003, M.S., Jilin University, Changchun, China, Polymer Physics and Chemistry
2006, Ph.D., Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China, Polymer Physics and
Chemistry
Relevant Training/Research:
Dr. Sun has a strong background in organic and polymeric design and synthesis, and over the last couple of
years has developed expertise in the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles, using, a novel approach, to intrinsically
radiolabel quantum dots and other nanoparticles, includes iron oxide nanoparticles, nanoceria and gold
nanoparticles. He has the necessary expertise in the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials including
the use of TEM, DLS, NMR, zeta-potential, ICP, UV-vis/fluorescence, and gel-electrophoresis, and other
analytical techniques. He also has expertise in bio-conjugation methodologies of nanomaterials to various
targeting molecules.
Most Representative Publication:
Sun, M. H., Hoffman, D, Sundaresan, G., Yang, L. K., Lamichhane, N., Zweit, J. (2012) Synthesis and
Characterization of Intrinsically Radio-labeled Quantum Dots for Bimodal Detection. American Journal of
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2, 122-135.
Name: Sundaresan Gobalakrishnan
Position: Scientist Manager,Center for Molecular Imaging
Department: Radiology / VCU
Role on Project: In vivo Imaging and in vitro cell assays
Educational Background:
1985, B.S., Government Arts College at Udhagamandalam, Bharathiar University, India, Zoology major plus
Botany and Chemistry
1987, M.Sc., Sri Vasavi College at Erode, Bharathiar University, India, Zoology major plus Vertebrate
Endocrinology and Entomology
1988, M.Phil., Post Graduate Institute for Basic Medical Sciences (PGIBMS), University of Madras, India,
Physiology (specialization in stress physiology)
2000, Ph.D., All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, Physiology (stress physiology and
biological rhythms),
Relevant Training/Research
Sundaresan has over 12 years of Multimodality Molecular Imaging research experience in academia and in
pharmaceutical industry. His research experience includes biological evaluation of novel PET/SPECT/Optical
imaging probes and imaging Engineered Antibodies, Reporter Genes and nanoparticles including Quantum
Dots (QDs) in small animals. During his postdoctoral training at UCLA and Stanford University, under the
mentorship of Dr. Sanjiv S. Gambhir and Dr. Anna M. Wu, he gained immense experience in preclinical
Multimodality Molecular Imaging Techniques. At UCLA, he conducted the very first experiments that revealed
the biodistribution and in vivo dynamics of QDs using Tritium labeled QDs and PET imaging experiments using
QDs radiolabeled with Copper-64. Later on he moved to other areas of molecular imaging research, including
therapy monitoring studies that supported drug discovery during his previous appointment at the Oncology
R&D of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. After getting back to academic research at Virginia Commonwealth
University, his research interests focused on novel nanoparticles with special emphasis towards developing
theranostic nanoparticles and other multimodal hybrid imaging probes suitable for simultaneous imaging with
MRI/PET or SPECT/PET as well as for optical and photoacoustic imaging. He has the right research experience
with proven track record in multiple areas of molecular imaging and molecular biology and his skills and
knowledge will enable him to offer guidance as well as make significant contributions in the various aspects of
the multimodality molecular imaging research described in my proposal.
Most Representative Publication:
Dewkar GK , Sundaresan G, Lamichhane N, Hirsch J, Thadigiri C, Collier T, Hartman M, Vaidyanthan G,
Zweit J. “Microfluidic radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of [18F] 2-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-2-methyl malonic
acid” J. Labelled. Compd. Radiopharm. (Submitted)