Kate Balaconis

Kate Balaconis

E-mail: balaconis.m@husky.neu.edu
Department: Bioengineering
Advisor: Heather Clark

Biography

Kate_2

Boston University, College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
(May 2009)

My research interest is in the development of fluorescent nanosensors for monitoring and detecting physiological analytes such as sodium and glucose. I specifically work on the development of glucose nanosensors that can be used for monitoring glucose levels in diabetics. These nanosensors will be injected into the upper layers of the skin similar to a tattoo and their intensity will be monitored using a handheld device. The IGERT Nanomedicine Program at Northeastern University has accelerated my research by connecting me to resources both in and outside Northeastern University through their classroom activities. IGERT has also supported my travel to research conferences and other unique experiences such as presenting my research at NanoDays at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.

Projects

Presentations

  • Biodegradation Enhances Biocompatibility in Optode-Based Nanosensors (Presentation, Organized Contributed Session), Balaconis, M.K., Cash, K.J., Dubach, J.M., Clark, H.A., Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical, Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Orlando, Florida, Mar 2012
  • Fluorescent Nano-Optodes for Monitoring Glucose Levels In Vivo (Poster), Balaconis, M.K., Billingsley, K.L., Dubach, J.M., Cash, K.J., Clark, H.A., Gordon Research Conference: Bioanalytical Sensors; New London, New Hampshire
  • Fluorescent Nano-Optodes for Monitoring Glucose Levels In Vivo (Poster), Balaconis, M.K., Billingsley, K.L., Dubach, J.M., Cash, K.J., Clark, H.A., Gordon Research Seminar: Bioanalytical Sensors; New London, New Hampshire
  • Fluorescent Nanosensor “Tattoos” for Monitoring Glucose Levels In Vivo (Presentation), Balaconis, M.K., Billingsley, K.L., Dubach, J.M., Clark, H.A., Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy; Orlando, Florida
  • In Vivo Glucose Monitoring with Fluorescent Nanoparticle Sensors (Presentation), Billingsley, K.L., Balaconis, M.K., Dubach, J.M., and Clark, H.A, Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy; Chicago, Illinois
  • Improving biocompatibility of fluorescent nano-optodes for in vivo glucose monitoring (Poster), Balaconis M.K., Cash K.J., Dubach J.M., and Clark H.A., Materials Research Society Fall Meeting; Boston, Massachusetts
  • Biocompatible and biodegradable fluorescent sensors (Presentation), Balaconis M.K., Cash K.J., Dubach J.M., and Clark H.A. , Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy; Atlanta, Georgia
  • Monitoring analytes in vivo with biocompatible and biodegradable fluorescent nanosensors (Poster), Balaconis M.K., Dubach J.M., and Clark H.A., National Science Foundation IGERT Trainee Poster Competition

Publications

  • Biodegradable Optode-Based Nanosensors for in Vivo Monitoring, Balaconis, M. K., Clark, H.A., Anal. Chem., V.DOI: 10.1021/ac301137c, P. (2012)
  • Optimization of Fluorescent Optodes for In Vivo Glucose Monitoring, Balaconis, M.K., Billingsley, K., Dubach, J.M., Cash, K.J., Clark, H.A., Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, V.5(1), P.1650 (2011)
  • Fluorescent nanoparticles for the measurement of ion concentrations in biological systems, Dubach J.M., Balaconis M.K., Clark H.A., J. Vis. Exp. , V.53, P.e2896 (2011)
  • Fluorescent Nano-Optodes for Glucose Detection, Billingsley K., Balaconis M.K., Dubach J.M., Zhang N., Lim E., Francis K.P., Clark H.A., Anal Chem, V.82(9), P.3703 (2010)