Lead Scientist

• Jul 2021 - Present

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

• Jan 2020 - Jan 2022

Working with Yukako Yagi on numerous clinical investigations to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic methods for treating various types of cancers. Currently researching the development, optimization, and validation of imaging techniques including micro computed tomography (Micro-CT) for multi-modal 3-dimensional (3D) imaging analysis, confocal microscopy to detect fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals, analysis of chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) signals, as well as integrating artificial intelligence to multi-modal imaging.

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

• Jan 2017 - Jan 2020

Worked with Dimitar B. Nikolov in investigating various ligand/receptor signaling systems and the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell interactions as it related to cancer development, proliferation, and metastatic dissemination. Performed numerous assays to determine antibody activity on OCI-Ly19, Jurkat, Raji, HEK-293, MDA-MB-231, and Toledo cell lines.Publications (several more manuscripts have been submitted): • Saha N., Robev D., Mason E. O., Himanen J. P., Nikolov, D. B. Therapeutic potential of targeting the Eph/ ephrin signaling complex. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 2018, 105, 122-123.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemistry

• Aug 2011 - May 2016

Worked with Professor Mark W. Lee, Jr. in developing nanotechnology for biomedical applications. A new class of highly-active molecules which inhibit the NAD+ recycling pathways were investigated. The synthesis of polymer coated iron-platinum (FePt) nanoparticles and subsequent attachment of new derivatives of the FK866 anti-cancer drug were developed as platforms for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Assembled, sterilized, and managed a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) human cancer cell laboratory for testing the stability and activity of newly developed drugs using MTT assays on cancerous and epithelial cell lines. Investigated the pharmacokinetics, potency, and anti-proliferative activity of both the drug and nanoparticle complex. Cancerous and epithelial cell lines included MCF-7, T47D, PC3, PANC-1, TRAMP-C1, U-87 MG, 184A1, A549, and DLD-1.Publications and Conferences (several more manuscripts have been submitted): • Mason E. O. Mason C. A., Lee Jr. M. W. The Use of Carboranes in Cancer Development. International Journal of Cancer and Clinical Research. 2018. (Accepted)• Sadrerafi K., Zargham E. O., Lee Jr. M. W. Improved Synthesis of MC4-PPEA and the Biological Evaluation of its Hydroxymethyl Derivative. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 2015, 26 (2), 618-621. • Zargham E. O., Mason C. A., Sadrerafi K., Lee Jr. M. W. Polystyrene Coated Iron-Platinum Drug Delivery Platforms for Cancer Treatment. 49th Midwest Regional ACS Meeting, Columbia, MO. 2014. (Poster Presentation)• Zargham E. O., Keller, S. W. Collaborative Chemistry Activities to Enhance Global Citizenship. 49th Midwest Regional ACS Meeting, Columbia, MO. 2014. (Oral Presentation) & 28th ACS National Meeting and Exposition, San Francisco, CA. 2014. (Oral Presentation) • Zargham E. O., Mason C. A., Lee Jr. M. W. Metallic/Polymeric Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Theranostics. 4th Annual Nanofrontiers Symposium, Columbia, MO. 2013. (Poster Presentation)

Master of Science Degree in Chemistry

• Aug 2008 - Aug 2011

Worked with Professor Luke Tolley and collaborated with Professor Jay Means in researching the link between diabetes and the pro-mutagen 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) present in cigarette smoke. This was done through utilizing a new technique for proteomics known as dynamic isoelectric anisotropy binding ligand assay (DIABLA) that incorporates capillary isoelectric focusing with fluorescence anisotropy to separate proteins in their active form and evaluate chemical interactions. The isoelectric points were determined in pancreas and liver samples of acute and chronic testing of 2-AA in Fischer-344 rats.• Worlanyo G. E., Abshiro H. D., Zargham E. O., Means J. C. Mass Spectrometric Investigation of Liver Proteins Isolated from 2-Aminoanthracene Exposed Fischer-344 Rats. Current Research in Chemistry. 2012, 4 (1), 1-17.• Zargham E. O., Worlanyo G. E., Means, J. C., Tolley L. T. Investigations of Binding Targets of the Pro-Mutagen 2-Aminoanthracene in Fischer-344 Rats. The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PITTCON), Atlanta, GA. 2011. (Poster Presentation)• Zargham E. O., Worlanyo G. E., Means, J. C., Tolley L. T. Investigations of Binding Targets of the Pro-Mutagen 2-Aminoanthracene in Fischer-344 Rats. PITTCON, Orlando, FL. 2010. (Poster Presentation)

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with Minor in Linguistics

• Aug 2005 - May 2008

Worked with Professor Barry Ryan on the issues of global warming and investigating various chemicals that are present in the atmosphere. • Zargham E. O., Ryan, B. P. The Quality Assurance Process for Passive Carbonyl Samplers. Emory University, Atlanta, GA. 2008. (Poster Presentation) Worked with Professor Barry Ryan on the issues of global warming and investigating various chemicals that are present in the atmosphere. • Zargham E. O., Ryan, B. P. The Quality Assurance Process for Passive Carbonyl Samplers. Emory University, Atlanta, GA. 2008. (Poster Presentation)