People
A growing group working across bioelectronics, materials chemistry, nanobiotechnology and drug delivery, based in the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, The University of Manchester.
Dr Akhil Jain
Lecturer in Drug Delivery · Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences · Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Dr Akhil Jain is Lecturer in Drug Delivery in the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry at the University of Manchester and an EPSRC Fellow. He received his PhD (2017) in Materials Physics and Nanoscience from UNAM (Mexico) and UCSD (CA, USA), having earlier completed an M.Tech in Biotechnology at the Vellore Institute of Technology, India, and a B.Tech in Biotechnology at Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India. He remained at UNAM's Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology as a Guest Lecturer from 2017 to 2018 before moving to the UK to take up a postdoctoral position in Bioelectronics at the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, from 2018 to 2024, working on wireless bioelectronic approaches to cancer therapy. In May 2024 he joined the University of Manchester as Lecturer in Drug Delivery, where he now leads a research programme in bioelectronic medicine, supported by an EPSRC Open Fellowship that established the Electro-Med group and runs from 2026 to 2031.
- Lecturer in Drug Delivery, from 2024 to present, University of Manchester, UK
- Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioelectronics, from 2018 to 2024, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, UK
- Guest Lecturer, from 2017 to 2018, Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, UNAM, Ensenada, Mexico
- PhD, 2017, Materials Physics and Nanoscience, UNAM (Mexico) and UCSD (CA, USA)
- M.Tech, 2012, Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, India
- B.Tech, 2010, Biotechnology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Quantum enabled nanomaterials
- Electric field sensors, actuators and transducers
- Electrical-cellular interactions
- Bioelectronics for therapeutic delivery
- Nanomedicine and drug delivery
- Lanthanide doped nanomaterials
- Advanced imaging and contrast agents
- Faculty of Science Postdoctoral Research Award, University of Nottingham, for an excellent piece of original work in 2022 and 2023
- University of Nottingham Award, for excellent contributions to research and behaviour, May 2023
- First Prize, Poster and Invited Talk, Asilomar Bioelectronics Symposium, USA, September 2022
- Endocrine Foundation Fellow Award, American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, USA, September 2017
- Travel Award, Material Research Society, Cancún, Mexico, April 2017
- Travel Award, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, February 2016
- International PhD Fellowship, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT), Mexico, January 2013
- Membership, member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), the Material Research Society (USA) and the British Society for Nanomedicine
Dr Chithrambary Reghukumar
Dr Chithrambary Reghukumar joined the Electro-Med Lab in September 2026 as a Research Associate, funded through an EPSRC Open Fellowship awarded to Akhil. She completed her PhD in Biomaterials from the University of Manchester on the Dean's Doctoral Scholarship, supervised by Prof Sarah Cartmell and Prof Jonny Blaker, with research focused on designing electrical stimulation bioreactors for adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. She holds an integrated master's in chemistry from ISERC, Visva‑Bharati University, and gained further research experience through internships at BARC, working on lanthanide doped luminescent nanomaterials for nuclear waste immobilisation, and at IISc Bengaluru, on nanoparticle systems for photothermal cancer therapy.
In her current role, Chithra focuses on quantum enabled nanomaterials for electric field sensing, working closely with Dr Louise Natrajan at the University of Manchester and Dr Eva Hemmer's lab at Ottawa, Canada.
Outside the lab, she enjoys travelling and crafts, and is active as a ResLife Advisor, organising community events for students.
Maryam Ebrahimnia
Maryam joined the University of Manchester in 2026 as an MRC DTP PhD student in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Her research experience focuses on the development of novel drug delivery systems, including nanofibers, niosomes and in situ gels.
Her current PhD research, under the primary supervision of Dr Akhil Jain, involves developing nano‑bioelectronic platforms to overcome drug resistance in glioblastoma and non‑small cell lung cancer. Ultimately, this approach aims to increase the sensitivity of tumour cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and improve overall treatment efficacy.
Outside the lab, Maryam enjoys practising Pilates, reading, and spending time with friends.
Komal Ranpise
Komal joined the University of Manchester in October 2025 as a PhD researcher in Advanced Biomaterials for Neuroscience, funded by the University's Bicentenary PhD Award. She holds a BSc in Microbiology from Savitribai Phule Pune University and an MSc in Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine from University College London. Before her MSc, she gained laboratory experience through internships in animal and stem cell culture in Pune.
Her PhD research, supervised by Prof Aline Miller, Prof Alberto Saiani and Dr Akhil Jain, investigates how external electrical stimulation influences peptide self assembly and the properties and organisation of peptide hydrogels. The research aims to develop aligned peptide nanofibrous hydrogels capable of guiding directional neuronal growth, with potential applications in peripheral nerve regeneration.
Outside research, Komal enjoys reading mythological stories, classic romance and murder mysteries, listening to Indian retro music and ghazals, and dancing to Bollywood music.
Zhouchong (Benjamin) Wang
Zhouchong (Benjamin) Wang joined the University of Manchester in October 2025 as a PhD researcher, having previously completed his master's degree in clinical medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He brings a dual background as a clinical hepatobiliary surgeon and a medical specialist in clinical studies for innovative drugs within the pharmaceutical industry.
Working under the supervision of Dr Christos Tapeinos, Dr Mohamed Elsawy and Dr Akhil Jain, his research focuses on localised drug delivery systems for glioblastoma treatment. He aims to combine his clinical insights and industry experience with advanced biomaterial platforms to enhance the translational potential of targeted intracranial therapies.
Outside the laboratory, Benjamin enjoys hiking, travelling and reading detective novels.
Swastika Mukherjee
A full biography for Swastika will be added here shortly.
Zhewen (Owen) Deng
A full biography for Owen will be added here shortly.