معرفی
Manuela Ayee-Leong serves as Associate Professor of Engineering & Chemistry at Dordt University, holding a joint appointment that bridges chemical engineering and biophysical chemistry through interdisciplinary membrane research. Her work focuses on molecular-scale mechanisms linking membrane biomechanics to disease pathogenesis.
Her academic journey includes:
- NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, UIC (Dissertation: Molecular Modeling of Endogenous and Exogenous Toxins at Phospholipid Interfaces)
- M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University (Thesis: Luminescent water-soluble quantum dots: Improved stability through surface functionalization)
- B.A. in Engineering Science - Chemistry Emphasis, Dordt University
Dr. Ayee-Leong's research integrates computational modeling and experimental biophysics to investigate how small molecules and proteins alter membrane biomechanics and cellular properties. Her lab examines:
- Molecular interactions of myelin protein zero in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy
- Biomechanical modulation by oxidized lipids/sterols in hypercholesterolemia
- Toxin-induced lipid layer perturbations
- Cholesterol-oxidized lipid antagonism in membrane structure
Analysis of her 12 publications (2016-2022) reveals consistent focus on lipid-membrane biophysics, with dominant themes in cholesterol dynamics (83% of articles), oxidized lipid pathophysiology (67%), and molecular-scale membrane mechanics (100%). Her work spans biophysical techniques including neutron scattering, molecular dynamics, and membrane tension measurements across cardiovascular, neurological, and toxicological contexts.
No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.
Information regarding student advising and grant funding remains unspecified in available records.
Research infrastructure details including laboratory facilities and team composition are not disclosed in the source text.
