Nicholas Stephanopoulos

Nicholas Stephanopoulos is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Molecular Sciences and Associate Director of the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics. He holds affiliate appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, The Biomimicry Center, and the Global Security Initiative at ASU.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley (2010)
• M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2007)
• A.B. in Chemistry (summa cum laude), Harvard University (2004)

Research: Dr. Stephanopoulos leads interdisciplinary research in hybrid protein/peptide-DNA nanomaterials. His work merges DNA nanotechnology's programmability with proteins' functional diversity to create advanced biomaterials for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and immune modulation. Key areas include:

• Structural protein-DNA nanotechnology for artificial viruses and nanomachines
• Dynamic biomaterials with spatiotemporal control of bioactive signals
• DNA-templated protein synthesis for 3D nano-printing
• Self-assembled DNA crystals for macromolecular scaffolding

Publications: His recent articles focus on DNA-protein hybrids, nanoscale biomaterials, and therapeutic applications, emphasizing tunable nanostructures, dynamic hydrogels, and targeted delivery systems. Research consistently integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance nanomedicine.

Awards:

• NIH New Innovator Award (2018)
• NSF CAREER Award (2018)
• Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Award (2018)
• Air Force Young Investigator Award (2016)

Teaching & Mentorship: He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in organic chemistry and research techniques, while directing the Stephanopoulos Lab (stephanopouloslab.com), which focuses on self-assembling biomaterials and nanoscale engineering.