Nastassja A. Lewinski, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering VCU College of Engineering

  • Engineering West Hall, Room 438, Richmond VA

Dr. Lewinski's research topics include nanomaterial toxicity, nanomedicine, and nanoinformatics.

Contact

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Biography

Nastassja Lewinski is currently an Associate Professor of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rice University. Dr. Lewinski has focused her career on integrating biological and environmental compatibility into the design process of engineered nanomaterials. Her research areas include nanotoxicology, nanoinformatics, and sustainable nanotechnology. Sponsors of her recent projects include the US-Japan Foundation, the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, and the VCU Accelerate Fund. She has received awards and fellowships including the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award in 2017, Leenaards Nested Research Projects Award in 2014, Whitaker International Scholar Award in 2011, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in 2008, Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2005, and she is a member of both Tau Beta Pi and Phi Lambda Upsilon. Dr. Lewinski has authored and co-authored 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 book chapters, and 1 provisional patent. She currently advises 1 Ph.D. student.

Industry Expertise

Nanotechnology
Education/Learning
Research

Areas of Expertise

Nanomaterial toxicity
Nanoinformatics
Nanomedicine
Advanced in vitro exposure systems
Comparative in vitro – in vivo analyses

Accomplishments

AIChE 35 Under 35 Awardee

2017

Leenaards Nested Research Projects Prix Awardee

2014

Whitaker International Scholar

2011

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Education

Institute for Work and Health, Lausanne, Switzerland

Postdoctoral

2014

Rice University

Ph.D.

Bioengineering

2011

Rice University

B.S.

Chemical Engineering

2006

Affiliations

  • Research Member, Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences
  • Fellow, Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems, University of Virginia
  • Section Editor, Drug and Chemical Toxicology

Media Appearances

Finding Nano: Creative Coral Conservation with Nanotechnology

TEDxYouth@RVA  online

2023-11-11

Join Speaker Nastassja Lewinski in this TEDxYouth@RVA talk for a captivating journey where the realms of coral reefs and nanotechnology intersect. As she delves into the hurdles of refining novel technologies, Lewinski provides perspectives on the biomedical utilization of nanomaterials and their possible roles in protecting coral reefs. The conversation promotes a bold perspective on innovation and responsible progress to creatively tackle climate change challenges. Nastassja Lewinski, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in Chemical and Life Science Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. She and her research group study the interactions and responses of cells, whether derived from humans, rodents, corals, or plants, to engineered nanoparticles. Her safety research supports the development of nanoparticles as medicines and evaluates unintentional exposures. She teaches and trains students everyday and expects them to bring their energy and ideas to the table. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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The Great Barrier No More

With Good Reason  radio

2022-04-15

Scientists first noticed coral reefs disappearing in the late nineties. Now, it’s getting worse as underwater temperatures continue to rise. Nastassja Lewinski and Liza Rogers are busy testing developing solutions to coral bleaching.

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AIChE 35 Under 35: Safety

American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE)  online

2017-09-14

Nastassja is an assistant professor of chemical and life science engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. She serves as faculty advisor to the student chapter and is the VCU faculty representative in the Tidewater Virginia Local Section. Nastassja is also active in the Sustainable Engineering Forum. Among her awards are the Leenaards Nested Research Projects Prix (2014), a NNEMS Fellowship with the U.S. EPA (2008), and an NSF Graduate Fellowship (2008).

AIChE YPC: What inspired you to pursue chemical engineering?

Nastassja Lewinski: I chose to pursue chemical engineering because it encompasses my lifelong interests in chemistry and math.

AIChE YPC: Chemical engineering is a diverse field. How did you get involved in your specialty?

NL: During my studies, several people reinforced my interest in nanotechnology and safety by design. My Ph.D. advisor, Rebekah Drezek, cultivated my interest in nanomedicine. The WISE program sponsored by AIChE and my advisor, Dave Gushee, encouraged my engagement in science policy. Vicki Colvin and Kristen Kulinowski drew my attention to aquatic toxicology and industrial hygiene.

AIChE YPC: What professional achievement are you most proud of?

NL: My postdoctoral fellowship in Lausanne, Switzerland, provided the opportunity not only to collaborate with fellow researchers in the institute who spoke English, but also work with non-English speaking staff. I learned how people outside the United States conduct research and how to work in a non-English speaking environment professionally.

AIChE YPC: What is the most challenging part of your job?

NL: The most challenging part of being a university professor is balancing research and teaching. Besides advancing my own research program, motivating and supporting both the students in my lab and also the students in my courses consumes a good portion of my time.

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Patents

Portable in vitro exposure cassette (PIVEC)

62/490,751

U.S. Provisional Patent Application.
Inventors: N. Lewinski and L. Secondo

Courses

CLSE 202: Chemical Engineering Fundamentals II: Energy Balances and Engineering Thermodynamics

Spring 2018 - present

CLSE 305: Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions

Fall 2014 - 2017

ENGR 497: Vertically Integrated Project - Nanoinformatics

Fall 2017 - present
The VIP Nanoinformatics team conducts cutting-edge research in natural language processing and nanomedicine design.

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Selected Articles

Mathematical Model for Wound Healing in the Reef-Building Coral Pocillopora damicornis

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Hay Q, Pak E, Gardner L, Shaw A, Roger L, Lewinski N, Segal R, Reynolds A

2024

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Nanotechnology for coral reef conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation

Nature Nanotechnology

Roger LM, Lewinski N, Putnam HM, Chen S, Roxbury D, Tresguerres M, Wangpraseurt D

2023

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Engineered nanoceria alleviates thermally induced oxidative stress in free-living Breviolum minutum (Symbiodiniaceae, formerly Clade B)

Frontiers in Marine Science

Roger LM, Russo JA, Jinkerson RE, Giraldo JP, Lewinski NA

2022

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