PhD Spotlight: Pranali J. Buch, PhD’22 – Chemical Engineering
Originally from India, Pranali Buch, advised by Edgar Goluch, associate professor of chemical engineering, joined the PhD program in chemical engineering at Northeastern in the fall of 2017. Prior to graduate school, she worked for bluebird bio in their lentiviral vector process and analytics group as a scientist, and subsequently as a consultant. Her research interest lies in solving drug delivery challenges and developing delivery systems for biological applications.
Buch conceptualized and designed her own doctoral project that was aimed at developing lipid nanoparticles with a poly-(ethylene glycol) (PEG) alternative polymer. Since PEG does not have excellent stealth properties, and anti-PEG antibodies are increasing in the general population, having an alternative polymer with superior stealth properties is beneficial. She demonstrated the functionality of this system in bacterial biofilm infection models. During the process, she published two literature review articles and a results manuscript that is currently in the review process. She also mentored four undergraduate students during her graduate studies and helped them secure Northeastern research awards. In addition, she authored the technical sections of R03 and R21 National Science Foundation grants, and SBIR Phase I grant applications for various projects.
Buch presented her work multiple times at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and presided over the biomedical sensors oral presentation session at Pittcon in 2019. She has received several recognitions, including the Kanojia Fellowship, a Graduate Thesis Research Grant, Best Teaching Assistant Award, Best Student Seminar Presentation Award, and a Dissertation Completion Fellowship. After graduation, she started working as a drug delivery consultant for a biotech venture in the Boston area.