# The NanoSensing Group - Ghent University

> Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
> Group Leader & Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. Anna Kaczmarek
> Location: Krijgslaan 281-289 - Building S3 (Campus Sterre), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

## Overview
The NanoSensing group is a newly funded research group at the Department of Chemistry, Ghent University. The group focuses on studying the use of nano-sized materials for sensing applications – especially nanothermometry and ion sensing, employing luminescence phenomena for this purpose. These sensors are based on a various range of host materials (inorganic phosphors, hybrid inorganic-organosilica materials, etc.) and primarily lanthanide ions.

The lanthanides are a group of 15 elements located at the bottom of the periodic table (La – Lu). One of their most fascinating properties is bright and color pure luminescence, which explains their wide use for various applications (lasers, light applications, sensors, etc.).

## Core Research Focus: Lanthanide Nanothermometry
Currently the main research focus is on lanthanide nanothermometry applications. Traditional temperature sensors (contact thermometers) have many intrinsic constraints and they are not suitable for temperature measurements of e.g. fast-moving objects, or with resolution at the micron scale. This has stimulated scientists to work on the development of new thermometers that can operate in an accurate way, and overcome the limitations of traditional thermometers.

Recent developments in technologies have generated the need for reliable temperature sensors in:
- Nanoelectronics and nanophotonics
- Chemical (micro) reactors and catalytic systems
- Thermal barrier coatings
- Biomedical diagnostics and cancer theranostics (photothermal ablation, monitoring regulated cell death modalities in melanoma therapy, hyperlocal temperature changes in inflammation)

## Principal Investigator
- **Name**: Prof. dr. Anna Kaczmarek
- **Role**: Principal Investigator & Group Leader
- **Affiliation**: Department of Chemistry, Ghent University
- **Email**: Anna.Kaczmarek@UGent.be
- **Twitter / X**: https://x.com/AnnaMKaczmarek1 (@AnnaMKaczmarek1)

## Team Structure
- **Academic Staff**: Prof. dr. Anna Kaczmarek
- **Post-doc Researchers**:
  - Dr. Ian Pompermayer Machado (Hybrid materials combining thermometry and photodynamic therapy)
  - Dr. Syed Sibtay Razi (Degradable dye-based thermometers for clinical applications)
- **PhD Researchers**:
  - Ayse Alici (Silver sulfide-based hybrid nanoparticles for precise temperature sensing in melanoma therapy)
  - Jordi Jaenen (Nanoheaters and nanothermometers for temperature control during photothermal ablation)
  - Simona Premcheska (Hybrid nanothermometers for theranostics – bottom-up approach)
  - Zofia Petryna (Hybrid inorganic-UCST thermoresponsive polymer nanoplatforms for nanotheranostics - FWO SB grant)
- **PhD Researchers as Co-promoter**:
  - Stijn Germonpré (MOF-based nano-hybrids as artificial enzymes for proteomics)
- **Thesis Students**:
  - Brianna Woolery (Thermometry and photodynamic therapy hybrids)
  - Pouria Khodabakhsh (Nanocomposites of nanoheaters and nanothermometers)

## Administrative Contacts & Secretaries
- Kathleen Degroote: +32 9 264 44 21
- Pierre Vanbocxstaele: +32 9 264 44 46

## Key Pages & Navigation
- [Home](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/): Group overview, principal investigator profile, research pillars.
- [Research Topics](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/research): Overview of active research in nanothermometry and optical sensing.
- [Publications](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/publications): Published peer-reviewed articles.
- [Team Members](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/members): Academic staff, postdocs, PhD students, and alumni.
- [Career Opportunities](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/opportunities): Open inquiries for PhDs, Postdocs, and Master theses.
- [Contact](https://nanosensing.ugent.be/contact): Location, secretaries, and email addresses.