Ahmed Heikal

Ahmed Heikal is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry within the Swenson College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His research focuses on cellular biophysics, mitochondrial metabolism, and fluorescence-based biosensors to study molecular dynamics in complex environments.

• Developing two-photon microscopy and time-resolved spectroscopy tools
• Investigating macromolecular crowding and ionic strength sensing in living systems
• Collaborating with institutions like Utrecht University and Mayo Clinic

Heikal's recent publications (2024-2017) span topics in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, NAD(P)H metabolic imaging, and FRET sensor design, with applications in cancer metabolism and biomolecular environments. He has received recognition as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2021) and secured Grant-in-Aid from the University of Minnesota (2020–2021). His lab trains students in biophysical methods including cell culture, ultrafast spectroscopy, and image processing, with alumni pursuing PhD programs at institutions like Cornell University, Northwestern University, and University of Chicago. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics, while maintaining shared facilities like confocal microscopy and NMR spectrometers at UMD. Heikal also serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Physics and Molecular Biosciences journals since 2022.