Dr. Priscila Falagan Lotsch

Assistant Professor (since 08/2022)
Dr. Lotsch earned her B.Sc. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). She completed her M.S. (2004) and Ph.D. (2008) at the Rio de Janeiro State University (Brazil) with an internship at the International Agency for Research on Cancer –Molecular Carcinogenesis Group (IARC/WHO/France). After a short period as a postdoctoral fellowship at the Fluminense Federal University (Brazil) (2009-2010), she worked as a Research Scientist (group leader) at the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) (2010 to 2015). In 2015, she joined Prof Murphy research group (Chemistry Department) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as a Research Scientist (2015-2020). In 2020, she joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University as Assistant Research Professor and in 2022, she got a position as Assistant Professor at the same department. Her research focuses on the mechanistic understanding of nano-bio interactions at multiple biological levels—molecular, cellular, and physiological—which is of interest to nanotoxicology and nanomedicine, enabling the development of safe-by-design nanomaterials and improving the efficacy of nanomedicines. She is particularly interested in evaluating the effects of nanomaterials, engineered or not, on physiologically relevant human cell models, using more realistic exposure scenarios (occupational, environmental, therapeutic) of low-doses and chronic, long-term effects.
pflotsch_at_auburn.edu

Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Abner Nunes, Ph.D.
Dr. Nunes is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Lotsch Lab since April 2023. Before joining Auburn University, Dr. Nunes earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Postgraduate Program in Chemistry and Biotechnology at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL, Brazil) with 1 year internship at Prof Murphy research group (Chemistry Department) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Dr. Nunes' primary research focuses on the impact of nanoparticles, particularly gold NPs, on mitochondrial health, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial function, energy homeostasis, and oxidative stress. His work aims to advance the understanding of nanoparticle safety while opening new avenues for innovative biomedical applications.
amn0090_at_auburn.edu

Graduate Students

Beverly Thomas, Ph.D. candidate
Beverly is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program (AU) and holds a B.Sc. in Genetics from Auburn University (2020-2024), where she graduated summa cum laude. Her research interests encompass nano-ecotoxicoly and human nanotoxicology, with particular focus on the adverse effects of textile microfibers at the molecular and cellular levels. Beverly’s work bridges public health and environmental health, contributing to interdisciplinary research that addresses complex challenges at the intersection of environment and human well-being.
bjt0026_at_auburn.edu

Bruce Andriolo, Ph.D. candidate
Bruce is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program (AU) and holds a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences – Biotechnology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, Brazil) and a M.S. in Biotechnology from the the Brazilian National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO). Bruce joined the Lotsch Lab in August 2024 and is currently investigating the biological effects of gold nanoparticles with varying physicochemical properties on human cells, with focus on mitochondrial responses to a range of relevant doses, which are central to both nanotoxicology and nanomedicine.
bva0007_at_auburn.edu

Seth Vogt, Master’s student
Seth is pursuing a Master’s degree in the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program and holds a B.Sc. in Genetics from Auburn University (2020-2024). His research topic is focused on the effects of “real-world” microplastics and nanoplastics derived from consumers products brain cells. His academic background combines a strong foundation in biomedical sciences with a minor in materials engineering, reflecting my passion for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics. His studies have equipped him with expertise in cellular and molecular biology techniques, toxicology assays, and materials characterization, enabling me to investigate the biological impact of emerging pollutants such as micro and nanoplastics.
sav0018_at_auburn.edu

Former Group Members

Anna Bohmova

Summer visiting scholar -Master’s student (3 months), 2025, Technical University of Liberec, Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations - ERASMUS fellowship