#  Alexander J. Nichols 

2015 PhD Graduate in Biophysics

 

 

 



   ![nichols_alexander.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum9451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__320x400/public/biophysics/files/nichols_alexander.jpg?itok=OpxwWgNR) 

 



 





 

**Dissertation Title:** Optical Molecular Sensing in Complex Biological Environments **PhD Dissertation Advisor:** Dr. Conor Evans, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital My dissertation research focused on synthesis of new biosensor molecules as well as development of optical methodologies for quantitative molecular imaging in complex biological environments such as avascular tissue. In particular, I synthesized novel cell-penetrating, oxygen-sensitive phosphors and integrated them into a platform for oxygen-sensitive imaging in 3D tissue engineered cancer models to understand how oxygen concentration in cancer can lead to multi-drug resistance during therapy. I also built and used coherent Raman non-linear imaging systems to study melanins and how they contribute to carcinogenesis in redheaded patients. 

 

 

 





 

 

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