IIN Frontiers in Nanotechnology Seminar Series – Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
Dr. Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
Human Effectiveness Directorate
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Hosted by Professors Michael Jewett and Richard Van Duyne
Sponsored by Northwestern University and the Air Force Center of Excellence (AFCOE)
Abstract
This presentation will discuss current efforts of our team at the Airman Systems Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, US Air Force Research Laboratory. Our group focuses on engineering molecular tools to create systems that sense and respond to different types of analytes, like biomarkers, explosives and chem/bio agents, with focus on detecting and restoring human performance biomarker imbalances. Potential sensing platforms this work will enable include: microorganisms-based bio-sentinels, colorimetric sensors in aqueous and solid phase for rapid biomarker tracking, optical probes for neurochemicals tracking in the brain to study chemical secretion under different conditions, and integration of biosensing elements in disposable substrates to develop point of care diagnostics.
Biography
Dr. Nancy Kelley-Loughnane is the Biosciences Technical Advisor to the Chief Scientist of the 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW), Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Kelley-Loughnane serves as the 711th HPW’s lead scientific/technical advisor for the wing’s strategic vision for Genetic and Synthetic Biology (GSB) research, including systems biology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and the microbiome. Dr. Kelley-Loughnane works in collaboration with the Chief Scientist to provide advice and counsel to the commander, wing mission leaders, and senior staff on the technical vision and scientific quality of the Wing’s research activities pertaining to GSB, including Air Force Science and Technology (S&T) funded research, Defense Health Program/Air Force Medical Service funded research, and externally funded research. She serves as the focal point to coordinate bioscience research activities within the wing; provides technical guidance to research teams to foster cross-wing collaboration, promotes synergy, encourages innovation, and ensures scientific rigor in lead/leverage/watch decisions. In this role she provides technical leadership for 711 HPW and AFRL on high interest Department of Defense biotech-related programs. In addition to her leadership at the Air Force level, she leads at the national level by serving as the Executive Secretary for the Department of Defense (DoD) Engineering Biology Research for Biotechnology Health and Performance Council (BHPC). She coordinates the technical activities of 100+ scientists and engineers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and USSOCOM, and provides technical assessment and leadership in engineering biology as applicable to human performance.
IIN Frontiers in Nanotechnology Seminar Series – Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
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