Nasif Mahmood
Bio
Nasif Mahmood is a PhD candidate working with Dr. Gluck to develop next-gen nanofibrous membranes for treating limbal stem cell deficiency. Nasif is known for being the lab’s sentinel against contamination, religiously arriving at 9 AM daily in the lab. Outside the lab, Nasif multitasks cooking with news and talk shows, all while immersing himself in fantasy novels, showing his love for epic adventures alongside his rigorous PCR runs.
Education
PhD Candidate Fiber and Polymer Science, Minor in Biotechnology North Carolina State University
MS Consumer and Design Science Auburn University 2020
BS Textile Engineering Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology 2016
Area(s) of Expertise
Nasif's research focuses on developing surface-functionalized nanofibrous membranes for implantable grafts in treating limbal stem cell deficiency using iPSC-derived cells. His work also involves improving pluripotent stem cell differentiation into corneal epithelial lineage using xeno-free, chemically defined reagents and growth factors.
Nasif has collaborated extensively with research groups such as Dr. Gilger's lab on Noggin-Coated Electrospun scaffolds, Dr. Budhathoki-Uprety's group on carbon nanotube-based biosensors, and Dr. Fang's team on a bioreactor for dynamic mechanical stimulation in tissue engineering. Additionally, Nasif has worked with Dr. Rao and Dr. Shirwaiker on non-invasive quality monitoring and industrial-scale production of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for treating myocardial infarction. He has also established industry partnerships, particularly with Celularity Inc., to assess the viability of commercially available amniotic membranes.
Publications
- Development of Optical Nanosensors for Detection of Potassium Ions and Assessment of Their Biocompatibility with Corneal Epithelial Cells , ACS OMEGA (2024)
- Preparation and Characterization of Hydrogels Fabricated From Chitosan and Poly(vinyl alcohol) for Tissue Engineering Applications , ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS (2024)
- Development of a Pneumatic-Driven Fiber-Shaped Robot Scaffold for Use as a Complex 3D Dynamic Culture System , BIOMIMETICS (2023)
- Electrospun Carbon Nanotube-Based Scaffolds Exhibit High Conductivity and Cytocompatibility for Tissue Engineering Applications , ACS OMEGA (2022)
- In Vitro Biocompatibility and Degradation Analysis of Mass-Produced Collagen Fibers , POLYMERS (2022)
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Corneal Cells: Current Status and Application , STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS (2022)
- Factors Influencing Older Adults' Acceptance of Health Monitoring Smart Clothing , FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL (2021)