About PI

BIOGRAPHY

Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba, Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry at Towson University, studies the nanoscale structure and self-assembly of natural and synthetic polymers using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The fuller understanding gained from his work is important for the design and synthesis of polymers with improved material properties for future technological applications in chemical sensing, membrane separation or heterogeneous catalysis. He is also interested in studying protein structure, stability and folding using conventional and single-molecule techniques. 

Dr. Tran-Ba received his B.S. in Material Sciences from Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany in 2008 and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Kansas State University in 2015. Under the guidance of Prof. Takashi Ito and Prof. Daniel A. Higgins, he investigated the nanoscale structure and mass-transport characteristics of cylindrical microdomains in block copolymer films using single-molecule tracking. Prior to joining the faculty at Towson University, he worked as a postdoctoral research scientist in the laboratory of Prof. Laura J. Kaufman at Columbia University for three years. His postdoctoral research was focused on the structural and mechanical characterization of collagen fiber networks using simultaneous rheology and confocal microscopy. 

PROFESSIONAL  EXPERIENCE

2018 – Present: Assistant Professor, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, US

2015 – 2018: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University, New York, US

     Adviser: Prof. Laura J. Kaufman

Research Topic: ‘Characterization of the Physicochemical Properties of Biopolymer Gels Using Simultaneous Rheology and Confocal Microscopy’

2008 – 2009: Visiting Student, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, US.

    Study Abroad Fellowship from Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.

    Adviser: Prof. Takashi Ito

    Research Topic: ‘GaN Substrates as Solid-State pH-Selective Potentiometric Sensors’


EDUCATION

2009 – 2015: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, US

    Advisers: Profs. Takashi Ito and Daniel A. Higgins

    Thesis Title: ‘Single Molecule Diffusion Measurements for Material Characterization of 1D Nanoscale Polymer Films’

2005 – 2008: B.S. in Material Sciences, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    Graduated with Honors, Grade: 1.3 (excellent)

    Adviser: Prof. Jürgen Janek

    Thesis Title: ‘Electrochemical Behavior of Dissolved Metal Salts in Ionic Liquids’


HONORS, AWARDS & GRANTS