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Department: Biological and Environmental Engineering More Information Meet a Cornell Researcher!Dr. Dan Luo is the head of a multidisciplinary, nationally-acclaimed laboratory tucked away in Riley-Robb Hall. Dr. Luo earned his B.S. in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Science and Technology of China in 1989, studying molecular dynamics of DNA-protein interactions through computer simulation. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at The Ohio State University in 1997, studying DNA-topoisomerase interactions, cancer chemotherapy, and DNA networks. He came to Cornell in 1998 as a post-doctoral assistant in the lab of Professor Mark Saltzman in the Chemical Engineering department, studying DNA vaccines. Dr. Luo was selected to be a faculty member of the department of Biological and Environmental Engineering in 2001, and currently teaches three courses.Dr. Luo became interested in using DNA as a structural material very early on in his scientific career. From computer simulations of DNA as an undergraduate, to DNA networks as a Ph.D., to DNA vaccines as a post-doctoral assistant, his research has always focused on the fascinating structure and potential interactions of DNA. At Cornell, Dr. Luo has focused on using biological and mechanical properties of DNA to create a useful product that has never been seen before. His research has many applications, including: DNA vaccines, nano-barcodes, DNA hydrogels for tissue engineering, and novel drug delivery systems using dendrimer and Y-shaped DNA. When he is not hard at work in the lab, Dr. Luo enjoys acrylic painting and traveling. Dr. Luo's selection process for undergraduate researchers is highly selective. An undergraduate should apply late freshman year or early sophomore year (no juniors or seniors are accepted). Undergraduates should have a great passion for research, have a relatively high GPA, be able to work well in teams, and have fun in the laboratory. |