Dr. Ranganathan Gopalakrishnan
Expected background and how to apply?
Highly motivated applicants are sought for PhD student position(s) available immediately Spring 2024 or Fall 2024 in the areas of
1) developing ultrasonic powder dispersion methods invented in Dr. Gopalakrishnan’s lab aerosol for drug delivery and other advanced applications,
2) plasma physics research probing behavior of objects in plasmas.
Full tuition support and a competitive monthly stipend will be offered to pursue PhD studies.
Research
A working demonstration of this powder aerosolization method can be viewed here: ~2:30 min version: https://youtu.be/aJEfM5f Qokg?t=112 (especially watch ~1:50-2:10). The underlying concept of using ultrasonic waves to disperse powders as aerosols can be read from:
Aerosol Science and Technology journal: https://www. tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/ 02786826.2018.1559920
Powder Technology journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ abs/pii/S0032591020307543?dgeid=author
Details about plasma physics projects:
https://youtu.be/Dwb3ag1QdFc?s i-X-yviexGjRDWp4mk
Qualifications
- Ideal candidate would have a Masters degree in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Physical Chemistry, or related disciplines.
- The research will involve experimental work, engineering design, and use of advanced aerosol measurement techniques.
- The PhD student(s) will develop this ultrasonic dispersion technique for use in cutting edge applications such as in space missions for dust mitigation and for developing inhalation therapies to be used for treating pulmonary diseases like asthma
Contact
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Dr. Gopalakrishnan at
rgplkrsh@memphis.edu with the following information:
- CV, MS and/or BS transcripts,
- contact information of two professional references
Candidates who already have a MS degree as well as those interested in pursuing a post-BS direct PhD will be considered.