معرفی
Malkiat Johal is a Professor of Chemistry at Pomona College, where he has been since 2006. His research focuses on using self-assembly and ionic adsorption processes to create nano-materials for optical and biochemical applications.
- Education: Ph.D. from University of Cambridge, B.S. from University of Warwick
Johal's lab investigates molecular aggregation and interactions in ultra-thin nano-assemblies. Key areas include:
- Exploiting natural self-assembly for bioactive surfaces (e.g., immobilized proteins)
- Controlling molecular orientation of chromophores for nonlinear optical properties
- Fundamental studies of ion-pair complexation and surface wettability
- Developing functionalized platforms for chemical/biological detection
His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work at the intersection of nanomaterials, biomolecular interactions, and optical sensing, with applications in drug delivery, biomedical diagnostics, and energy technologies. Collaborative projects often involve quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and dual polarization interferometry (DPI) for real-time analysis.
Scientific Awards & Grants:
- U.S. Department of Energy Grant (2003)
- Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Award (2000)
- DOE Laboratory Directed Research Grant (1999–2000)
Johal actively involves undergraduate researchers in his lab, particularly in constructing and characterizing ultra-thin material assemblies. His work has explored biomimetic membrane models, DNA adsorption mechanisms, and metal ion effects on membrane properties.
