MANOS GKIKAS
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Department of Chemistry
1 University Avenue
Lowell, MA, 01852, USA
Office: Olney Hall 315B
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 617-803-5383
EMPLOYMENT
 2016-Present. Assistant Professor at University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML)
Department of Chemistry, Lowell, USA.
 2012-2016. Postdoctoral Scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),
Department of Chemical Engineering and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN),
Cambridge, USA.
Research in “Bio-related Polymers and Applications”
Advisor: Prof. Bradley Olsen
EDUCATION
 2008-2012. Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Dissertation title: “Amphiphilic Polypeptides: Synthesis, Characterization and SelfAssembly in Aqueous Solutions”
Advisor: Prof. Hermis Iatrou
 2012. Compulsory Military Service in the Army Infantry.
 2006-2008. M.S. in Polymer Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Thesis: “Synthesis of Polypeptides of L-Proline”
Advisor: Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis
 2002-2006. B.S. in Chemistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Graduated in top 2% of the class.
Diploma Thesis: “Micellization of Poly(L-lysine)-b-Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)-b-Poly(Llysine) Triblock Copolypeptides with DNA in Aqueous Solutions”
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Postdoctoral Scholar, 2012- 2015, Advisor: Prof. Bradley Olsen
 Synthesis & Design of Materials for Targeted Hemostasis.
 Design of Chemical Sensors/Responsive Materials against Warfare Agents.
 Injectable Materials as Tissue Adhesives and Sealants.
 Thermoresponsive and Mechanical Properties of Polypeptide Gels.
 Sensing Organophosphate Compounds through a Physical Network Disruption.
 Engineering Enzyme/Amphiphilic Polymer Formulations for Enhanced Stability & Activity
 Protein-Polymer Bioconjugates.
 Characterization of Polymer Gels using Neutron Scattering and Rheology.
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University of Athens
Graduate Research, 2006-2012, Advisors: Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis and Prof.
Hermis Iatrou
 Synthesis and Characterization of N-Carboxy Anhydrides of a-Amino Acids (NCAs)
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and Polypeptides.
 Self-assembly of Block Copolymers and Amphiphilic Polypeptides.
 Hybrid Materials Combining Anionic Polymerization and Polypeptides.
 Polymersomes from Polypeptide-Containing Materials for Drug Delivery against Cancer.
 Polymer/Carbon Nanotube (SWNTs and MWNTs) Composites.
 Graphene/Polymer Composites and Graphene/Metal Nanoparticle Materials.
Helsinki University of Technology (Aalto University)
Visiting Researcher, 2011, Advisors: Prof. Janne Ruokolainen and Prof. Olli Ikkala
 Self-Assembly of Complexed Comp-Shaped Block Copolypeptides with Surfactants.
 Characterization of Polymers using Cryo-TEM, TEM, WAXS and SAXS.
 Band Gap Materials.
 Imaging of Polymer-Coated Gold nanoparticle Assemblies.
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Visiting Researcher, 2010, Advisor: Prof. Paschalis Alexandridis
 Metallic Nanoparticle Synthesis and Assembly Using Polymers.
 Characterization of Polymers Using X-ray Diffraction.
TEACHING, MENTORSHIP AND SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE
 2012-2016. Mentor/Supervisor at MIT. Designed and led an Army project funded by DTRA
and a collaborative project with MGH on Hemostasis. Trained, mentored, and supervised
Undergraduate students (UROPs) and students.
 2012-2016. Teaching Assistant for Graduate students at the Department of Chemical
Engineering, MIT. Taught Kinetics of Chemical Reactions, Ring-Opening Polymerization,
Conductive Polymers and Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization.
 2008-2012. Mentor/Co-supervisor at the University of Athens, Department of Chemistry.
Trained and supervised 3 Master’s students. Led collaborative projects between the
University of Athens and the Helsinki University of Technology.
 2008-2012. Teaching Assistant for Undergraduate students at the Department of Chemistry,
University of Athens. Taught Polymer Courses and Labs for Undergrads.
MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
 2014-2016. Leader of the “Hemostasis” project (MIT) in collaboration with MGH.
 2012-2016. Leader of the “Dynamic Materials for a Second Skin” project (MIT).
 2008-2012. Leading/Coordinating the collaborations between the University of Athens, the
Helsinki University of Technology and the University at Buffalo. Laboratory manager at the
Department of Chemistry, Athens. Responsible for monitoring laboratory occupational health
and safety (OHS) and standard operating procedures. Inventory management. General
laboratory performance. Training and mentoring students.
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RESEARCH INTERESTS
 Biocompatible Polymers for Clinical Applications
 Designing Materials as Injectable Hemostats
 Synthetic Hydrogels against War Agents
 Fabrication of Metal Nanoparticles as an Imaging Tool for in vivo Studies
 Engineering Hydrogels as Tissue Adhesives and Sealants using Click Chemistry
 Synthesis, Characterization & Applications of Polypeptides
 Synthesis and Purification of Organic Compounds and N-Carboxy Anhydrides (NCAs)
 Utilization of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for Complexation/Encapsulation of Drugs
 Enzymatic Activity and Stability Enhancement using Protein-Polymer Conjugates
 Modification of Carbon-Materials for Advanced Applications (Graphene, CNTs)
 Catalysis using Inorganic particles on Carbon Templates
 Hybrids Materials using Anionic Polymerization Techniques
 Self-Assembly of Nanostructured Materials
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Well-defined Characterization of Organic Compounds and Synthetic Polymers
 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1D and 2D NMR)
 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
 Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS)
 Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (ESI-MS)
 UV-Vis Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis)
 Amino Acid Analysis (AAA)
 Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC)
 Circular Dichroism (CD)
 Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Static Light Scattering (SLS)
 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
 Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
 Mechanical tester (Tensile and Compression)
 Rheology
 Protein Synthesis and Gel Electrophoresis
 Fluorescent Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy
 High Vacuum Techniques & Preparation of Custom-made Glass Apparatuses
Nanoscale Structure and Assembly of Polymers
 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1D and 2D NMR)
 Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)
 Wide-angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS)
 X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD)
 Neutron scattering
 Sample Preparation and Cutting for TEM
 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM and Cryo-TEM Imaging)
 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM Imaging)
OTHER SKILLS
 Learned the Art of Glassblowing in order to Custom-make own Glass Apparatuses
 Haute Cuisine/Molecular Gastronomy
 Chosen to Lead a body of 160 troops through Basic Training in the Army
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES
Professional Membership:
 American Chemical Society (ACS)
 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Conference Session Chair:
 “Membranes and Ion Conducting Polymers”, 250 ACS Fall Meeting, 16-20 August 2015,
Boston, MA, USA. Technical Program Chair.
 “Fundamentals of Polymers”, 250 ACS Fall Meeting, Boston, 16-20 August 2015, Boston,
MA, USA. Technical Program Chair.
Reviewing Activity:
 RCS Advances (2014-2016), Biomacromolecules (2015-2016)
 Evaluator of Research Proposals (2015) for the National Natural Science Foundation of
China (NSFC) and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
PUBLICATIONS
1. Gkikas, M.; Iatrou, H.; Thomaidis S. N.; Alexandridis, P.; Hadjichristidis, N.
Well-Defined Homopolypeptides, Copolypeptides and Hybrids of Poly(L-proline)
Biomacromolecules 2011, 12, 2396-2406.
[Referenced by Sigma-Aldrich as the first peer-reviewed article on Poly(L-proline) for 4 years
now. The cost of the material is 1,200$ / g]
2. Graf, R.; Spiess, H. W.; Floudas, G.; Butt, H.-J.; Gkikas, M.; Iatrou H.
Conformational Transitions of Poly(L‑proline) in Copolypeptides with Poly(γ-benzyl‑L‑
glutamate) Induced by Packing.
Macromolecules 2012, 45, 9326-9332.
3. Gkikas, M.; Timonen, J.; Ruokolainen, J.; Alexandridis, P.; Iatrou, H.
Facile Aqueous Synthesis and Stabilization of Nearly Monodispersed Gold Nanospheres
by Poly(L-proline.
J. Polym. Sci. Part A 2013, 51, 1448-1456.
4. Gkikas, M.; Das, B. P.; Tsianou, M.; Iatrou, H.; Sakellariou, G.
Surface Initiated Ring-Opening Polymerization of L-Proline N-Carboxy Anhydride from Single
and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Eur. Pol. J. 2013, 49, 3095-3103.
(This paper has ~1K downloads from Researchgate)
5. Iatrou, H.; Dimas, K.; Gkikas, M.; Tsimplouli, C.; Sofianopoulou, S.
Polymersomes from Polypeptide Containing Triblock Co- and Terpolymers for Drug Delivery
against Pancreatic Cancer: Asymmetry of the External Hydrophilic Blocks
Macromol. Biosci. 2014, 9, 1222-1238.
6. Gkikas, M.; Theodosopoulos, G.; Das, B. P.; Tsianou, M.; Iatrou, H.; Sakellariou, G.
Gold-Decorating Graphene Nanosheets composed of a Biocompatible Non-charged WaterSoluble Polypeptide
Eur. Pol. J. 2014, 60, 106-113.
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7. Gkikas, M.; Haataja, J.; Seitsonen, J.; Ruokolainen, J.; Ikkala, O.; Iatrou, H.; Houbenov, N.
Extended Self-Assembled Long Periodicity and Zig-Zag Domains from Helix-Helix Diblock
Copolymer Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)-block-Poly(O-benzyl-L-hydroxyproline)
Biomacromolecules 2014, 15, 3923-3930.
8. Kim, M.; Gkikas, M.; Huang, A.; Kang, J. W.; Suthiwangcharoen, N.; Nagarajan, R.; Olsen,
B. D.
Enhanced Activity and Stability of Organophosphate Hydrolase via Interaction with an
Amphiphilic Polymer
Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 5345-5348.
9. Gkikas, M.
Metallic Particle Assemblies on Graphene (Invited Author)
Curr. Org. Chem. 2015, 19, 1773-1790.
10. Gkikas, M.; Haataja, S. J.; Ruokolainen, J.; Ikkala, O.; Iatrou, H.; Houbenov, N.
Complexation-Driven Mutarotation in Poly(L-proline) Block Copolypeptides
Biomacromolecules 2015, 16, 3686–3693.
11. Gkikas, M.; Avery, R. K.; Olsen, B. D.
Thermoresponsive and Mechanical Properties of Poly(L-proline) Gels
Biomacromolecules 2016, 17, 399–406.
12. Gkikas, M.; Nagarajan, R.; Wilusz, E.; Olsen, B. D.
Hydrogels that Actuate in Response to Organophosphates
Advanced Functional Materials 2017
13. Gkikas, M.; Peponis, T.; Mesar, T.; Avery, R. K.; Roussakis, E.; Yoo, H.-J.; Sahani, D. V.;
Oklu, R.; Evans, C. L.; Watkins, M. T.; Albadawi, H.; Velmahos, G.; Olsen, B. D.
Hemostats That Target Hidden Injuries
In Preparation
14. Gkikas, M.
Hybrid Graphene Metallic Nanoparticles for Biodetection In: Graphene-based Materials in
Medicine and Environment, Ed.; Springer: New York, 2016.
To be published
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Oral presentations
1. Gkikas, M.; Iatrou, H.; Hadjichristidis, N. “Synthesis and Applications of Polypeptides”, 1st
Conference of Graduate Students in Chemistry, 28-29 March 2009, University of Athens,
Greece.
2. Gkikas, M.; Iatrou, H.; Hadjichristidis, N. “Water-soluble Polypeptides”, 2nd Conference of
Graduate Students in Chemistry, 28-29 May 2010, University of Athens, Greece.
3. Sakai, T.; Gkikas, M.; Iatrou, H.; Alexandridis, P. “Metal Nanoparticles Morphogenesis
and Stabilization Mediated by Amphiphilic Polymers”, 2013 AIChE Annual Meeting, 3-8
November 2013, Francisco, CA, USA.
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4. Gkikas, M.; Olsen, B. D. “Sensing Organophosphate Compounds through a ProteinPolymer Physical Network Disruption”, DTRA Enzyme Colloquium, 24-26 October 2013,
Falls Church, VA, USA.
5. Kim, M.; Gkikas, M.; Huang, A.; Olsen, B. D. “Enhanced Activity and Stability of
Organophosphorus Hydrolase via Interaction with an Amphiphilic Polymer”, 2014 AIChE
Annual Meeting, 16-21 November 2014, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
6. Gkikas, M.; Olsen, B. D. “Sensing Organophosphate Compounds through a Physical
Network Disruption”, 247th ACS Spring Meeting, 16-20 March 2014, Dallas, TX, USA.
7. Gkikas, M.; Avery, R. K.; Olsen, B. D. “Thermoresponsive Properties and Mechanical
Response of Highly Concentrated Aqueous Poly(L-proline) Solutions”, 250th ACS Fall
Meeting, 16-20 August 2015, Boston, MA, USA.
8. Gkikas, M.; Avery, R. K.; Olsen, B. D. “Thermoresponsive Properties and Mechanical
Response of Poly(L-proline) Gels”, 2015 AIChE Annual Meeting, 8-13 November 2015,
Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
9. Gkikas, M.; Avery, R. K.; Khademhosseini, A.; Olsen, B. D. “Spontaneously Formatted
Triazole Gels as Tissue Adhesives”, 2015 AIChE Annual Meeting, 8-13 November 2015,
Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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