Levena Gascoigne

PhD Candidate

Nationality: Australian
Undergraduate Institution: University of Newcastle
Graduate Institution: Eindhoven University of Technology
Email: l.c.gascoigne@tue.nl
Phone: +31 40 247 5414
Office: STO 2.41

Sub-group(s):

Biography:

In 2018, I completed my Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry at the University of Newcastle, Australia where I undertook two research projects under the guidance of Dr. Frances Neville and Professor Erica Wanless. My main research focused on upscaling the synthesis of silica particles using PEI and TMOMS precursors, and the incorporation of magnetic properties. I additionally investigated the rheological properties of thermo-responsive NIPAM polymer brushes. In 2017, I received the New Columbo Plan scholarship to attend the Future Chemist Internal Summer Camp, hosted by the University of Science and Technology of China. In 2019, I commenced my Bachelor of Science (Honours) program through the University of Newcastle, Australia via correspondences at Eindhoven University of Technology within the self-organizing soft matter group. During this one-year intensive research program I focused on elucidating the supramolecular assembly of R5 peptide aggregates used in biosilification. As of May 2020, I commenced my PhD candidacy under the guidance of pro.dr.ir. Ilja Voets at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems.

Research Interests:
During my PhD I aim to harness the self-assembling capabilities of coiled coil peptides (CCPs) to deliver cargo to giant liposomes for temporal control over internal process such as formation of coacervates and the in-situ expression of proteins. This is a multi-stage process which requires many refinements to complex systems. Initially, I will be focusing on characterizing the interfacial properties of model membranes and self-assembling processes of CCPs. To complete this, I will be harnessing techniques such as AFM, FRAP, SAXS and SANS.