Swarna Basu

Swarna Basu is Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at Susquehanna University, where she has held progressive faculty positions since 2005 (Assistant Professor 2005-2011, Associate Professor 2011-2016, Professor 2016-present). She holds a PhD and MA from Wesleyan University and a BA from Clark University.

Education

• PhD, Wesleyan University
• MA, Wesleyan University
• BA, Clark University

Research Focus

Dr. Basu leads an interdisciplinary physical/biophysical chemistry research program with three core themes: 1) Synthesis and functionalization of metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, ZnO) via conventional and green methods for biological applications including antibacterial agents, dye degradation, and Raman enhancement; 2) Protein/polymer cross-linking for smart biomaterials and drug delivery systems; 3) Spectroscopy-based investigations of metal complex interactions with proteins and DNA structures. Her work emphasizes instrument development, including custom microscopy and LabVIEW-based photochemical systems.

Publication Analysis

Her recent work (2012-2025) demonstrates strong focus on nanomaterial applications in biomedicine (cancer therapy, immunomodulation) and DNA biochemistry, particularly quadruplex DNA interactions with neurotransmitters/metal complexes. Methodologies frequently combine fluorescence/Raman spectroscopy with computational modeling, reflecting her physical chemistry expertise.

Awards and Recognition

• John C. Horn Distinguished Service Award (2015)
• Invited Public Lecture: "Size Matters: Tiny Dots and Their Potential" (2016)
• Tishler Teaching Award (2002)

Teaching and Mentoring

She teaches undergraduate courses including General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Nanoscience, and research seminars. Actively mentors undergraduate researchers, with collaborative projects frequently resulting in co-authored publications and conference presentations.