Michael Leopold Awarded NSF Grant

Dr. Michael C. Leopold, Associate Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a three-year grant by the National Science Foundation.

The project to be funded is  “Xerogel-Based Amperometric Biosensors Incorporating Nanoparticle Networks: Adaptable Templates for Clinically-Relevant Measurements,” and continues his research in bioanalytical nanomaterials.  The grant is for $270,000 over three years, and will support Dr. Leopold and several undergraduate students each summer, as well as post-baccalaureate fellows along with materials and travel related to the research.
 
In his application summary, Dr. Leopold said, “Findings will be used to design and implement wire or “needle” biosensors for diagnostic marker compounds for serious medical conditions: lactate for sepsis monitoring and uric acid for preeclampsia risk assessment.”
 
Dr. Leopold has taught at the University of Richmond since  2002, after receiving his B.S. degree from James Madison University and his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University, and completing a post-doctoral associate position at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He has published numerous articles in scientific journals.  He has a solid track record of mentoring undergraduate science students and has received the university’s Distinguished Educator and Outstanding Mentor awards, in addition to other research grants from NSF, the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and the Commonwealth Health Research Board, among others.