{"id":122657,"date":"2021-08-31T10:42:27","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T14:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=122657"},"modified":"2025-06-20T10:39:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T14:39:54","slug":"research-in-60-seconds-protecting-the-brain-using-nanotech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/research-in-60-seconds-protecting-the-brain-using-nanotech\/","title":{"rendered":"Research in 60 Seconds Video: Protecting the Brain Using Nanotech"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s solving the world\u2019s biggest problems or investigating the potential of novel discoveries, researchers at UCF<\/a> are on the edge of scientific breakthroughs that aim to make an impact. Through the Research in 60 Seconds series, student and faculty researchers condense their complex studies into bite-sized summaries so you can know how and why Knights plan to improve our world.<\/p>\n

Name:<\/strong> Sebastian Leon \u201918
\n<\/strong>Major:<\/strong> Biomedical sciences<\/a> alum currently pursuing a master\u2019s in nanotechnology<\/a><\/p>\n

Why are you interested in this research?
\nSL:<\/strong> I am interested in this research because it bridges my passion of neuroscience and medicine along with nanotechnology, which I believe to be a huge part of humanity\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

How did you get started in research at UCF?<\/strong>
\nSL:\u00a0<\/strong>I got started in research through my master\u2019s program<\/a>. I sent out emails to professors who were doing research I was interested in and found my way into a Neuro-Cell Culture Lab. From there my friend and I decided to start a project of our own in a chemistry lab.<\/p>\n

Are you a faculty member or student conducting research at UCF? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your research at bit.ly\/ucf-research-60-form.<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Who is your mentor? Who<\/strong> inspires you and how?
\n<\/strong>SL:\u00a0<\/strong>Swadeshmukul Santra is my principal investigator (PI) and he has mentored me throughout my nanotech career.<\/p>\n

How does UCF empower you to do your research?
\n<\/strong>SL:\u00a0<\/strong>My PI and professors working around us and with us are always eager to help, which supports the culture of the teamwork and creativity needed for research.<\/p>\n

Why is this research important?
\n<\/strong>SL:\u00a0<\/strong>Even with decades of research, only one treatment for ischemic strokes \u2014 which account for an estimated 87% of cases \u2014 has been approved by the FDA. So having another treatment that could help people who suffer this brain injury would be of tremendous help.\u00a0Strokes can lead to small or large cognitive deficits and are usually permanent or very difficult to recover from. We wish to provide a functional medication at low cost so if a person does experience an injury to their brain in their lifetime, they can retain more function or recover faster, thus improving their quality of life.<\/p>\n

How to Get Involved with Research at UCF<\/h2>\n