Team

Qi Cai

Dr. Qi Cai joined the Department of Biological and Agriculture Engineering at Louisiana State University as a tenure-track assistant professor in August 2023. 

Dr. Cai received her B.S. in Applied Chemistry from Beijing University of Chemical Technology and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from University College Dublin. Before joining LSU, she was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research focused on understanding the fundamental questions of bio-nano interactions and developing novel techniques for drug delivery into the central nervous system (CNS). Dr. Cai has received multiple awards, including the International Brain Barriers Society Poster Award, Keystone Symposia Scholarship, Baxter Young Investigator Award, etc. Dr. Cai is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, the International Brain Barriers Society, and the American Chemical Society. 

Salona Roy

I received my master's degree at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, India. My research is centered on developing and testing nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems for treating brain diseases. Outside of my work, I am fond of cakes and good friends.

Daniel E Alday

I received my bachelor's degree in Bioengineering from LSU in 2025. I am interested in tissue engineering and the use of nanoparticles to promote tissue growth. 

Camden Trent

I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, after which I took on a fellowship in Biophysics at the National Institutes of Health. My interests are in developing new ways to approach the treatment of cancers.

Neeliya Namali Ranasinghe Pilana Vithanage

Co-advising with Dr. Cristina Sabliov.

Rayanne Thaljeh 

I am an undergraduate student in Biological Engineering and an LSU ESTEEMED Scholar. I am interested in tissue engineering and learning about neurological processes. 

Ethan McElveen

I am an undergraduate student studying Biological Engineering at Louisiana State University. I am interested in cancer research, nanoparticle therapy, and tissue engineering.

Thanh J Kirsch

I am an undergraduate Biological Engineering Student interested in nanomedicine and tissue engineering. I have been involved on campus as an officer for student organizations such as SASE and BESO. I grew up in Baton Rouge, and have a twin brother!​