Nilam Shah

Nilam Shah serves as Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Chemistry Department at Lake Forest College, where she leads research at the intersection of analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, and cultural heritage science.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University (2009)
• MS in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University (2000)
• BA in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1997)

Professor Shah specializes in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), Localized Surface Plasmon Spectroscopy (LSPR), and Nanoparticle Fabrication. Her work develops advanced spectroscopic techniques for biomedical diagnostics—particularly non-invasive glucose monitoring—and cultural heritage applications including the non-destructive analysis of historical artworks, textiles, and manuscripts. She pioneers nanoplasmonic substrates and methodological innovations for real-time in vivo sensing and artifact preservation.

Analysis of her publication record reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Biomedical sensing with SERS-based glucose monitors for diabetes management, (2) Cultural heritage science applying SERS to identify historical dyes/inks without sample destruction, and (3) Fundamental advancements in NIR-SERS, TERS, and nanobiosensor design. Her work consistently bridges theoretical modeling with practical instrumentation across chemistry, biomedical engineering, and art conservation disciplines.

At Lake Forest College, Professor Shah teaches foundational courses including Introductory Chemistry I and II, and advanced Instrumental Analysis, where she integrates her research expertise into undergraduate education.