Dean Ho, Ph.D.
 

 
Education

University of California, Los Angeles  (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, January 2005
        Major: Hybrid Bio-nanotechnology, Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
        Minors: Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)/ Mechanics of Motor Proteins
        Dissertation: Fabrication and Characterization of Biomolecule-Copolymer Hybrids as Energy Conversion Systems   

  • M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, June 2003
        Thesis:     Hybrid Protein / Polymer Biomimetic Valves

  • B.S. in Physiological Sciences, December 2001
        Undergraduate Research Project: Rapid Bacterial Diagnosis-MEMS-based     DNA/RNA Detection

Academic Positions

2005-Present

Research Associate

  • California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
     Department of Bioengineering/Electrical Engineering
    Mentor: Professor Yu-Chong Tai
    Research Topic: Using nano/micro technologies and bio-cloaking materials for   improving biocompatibility and enhancing of implant efficiency

2005-Present

California Nanosystems Institute/Hewlett-Packard Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
     Department of Mechanical Engineering
    Mentor: Professor Yong Chen (Top 50 Nanotechnologist in the United States-Scientific American)
    Research Topic: Interfacing nanofabricated electrode arrays with neurons and cardiomyocytes for nanoscale interrogation applications

Research Interests

  • Integrate protein-functionalized copolymeric membranes with nano/MEMS technology
  • Investigate energy conversion and production from motor proteins and membrane integration
  • Study the interfacial bio-mechanical interactions between cell and Copolymer-Collagen thin substrate films
  • Improve biocompatibility through bio-cloaking materials

Publication

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, and C.D. Montemagno, “Protein-driven Energy Transduction Across Polymeric Biomembranes,” Nanotechnology 15 (8), 1084-1094, 2004. See Nature Materials (News), July 8, 2004. Article downloaded over 1000 times; top 10% of all Institute of Physics (IOP) Publications (Information as of July  2005).

  • D. Ho, B.  Chu, J.J.  Schmidt, J., Brooks, E., Montemagno, C.D., “Hybrid Protein/Polymer Biomimetic Membranes,” IEEE Trans. Nanotechnology, 3 (2), 256-263, 2004.

  • D. Ho, and C.D. Montemagno, “The Advent of Innovation-Societal Perspectives of the Integrative Nanotechnology Revolution,” published online at Institute of Physics website, www.nanotechweb.org; published online, Nanotechnology, 2005.

  • J. Xi, D. Ho, B. Chu, and C.D. Montemagno, “Lessons Learned From Engineering Biologically-Active Hybrid Nano/Micro-devices,” Advanced Functional Materials 15 (8), 1233-1240, 2005. Feature Article

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, E.K. Brooks, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “Light-Dependent Current Generation Based on Coupled Protein Functionality,” accepted to Nanotechnology, December 2005 as Cover Article

  • D. Ho, A. Fung, and C.D. Montemagno, “Engineering Novel Diagnosis Modalities and Implantable Cytomimetic Nanomaterials for Next Generation Medicine,” accepted to Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2005. Invited Paper

  • D. Ho, D. Garcia, and C.M. Ho, “Using Advanced Nanomanufacturing and Characterization Modalities Towards the Realization of Bio-Nano-Informatics Systems,” accepted to Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2005.

  • D. Ho, D. Wendell, and C.D. Montemagno, “Developing Hybrid Bionanosystems Using Synthetic Biology,” A chapter in The Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology, accepted April 2005. (Includes contributions by Gerd K. Binnig, Winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physics)

  • D. Garcia, D.  Ho, and C.M. Ho, “Bio-Nano-Information Fusion,”  A chapter in Nanotechnology: Science, Innovation, and Opportunity, accepted April 2005. (Includes contributions by Richard E. Smalley, Winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Mihail Roco, Director of the National Nanotechnology Initiative)

Sbumitted Publication

  • H. Lee, D. Ho, and C.D. Montemagno, “Fluorometric Measurement of Vectorially-Inserted Purple Membrane Activity Across Block Copolymer Thin Films,” Submitted to Langmuir, 2005

  • D. Ho, S. Chang, and C.D. Montemagno, “Fabrication of biofunctional nanomaterials via Escherichia coli OmpF protein air-water interface insertion/integration with copolymeric amphiphiles,” submitted to Nanomedicine, 2005.

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen, “Interfacing Cellular Systems with Abiotic Materials Using Composite Collagen-Block Copolymer Thin Films,” submitted to Nanotechnology, 2005.

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen “Block copolymer-collagen Type I composite substrates induce alignment of C2C12 skeletal myoblasts,” to be submitted to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences-USA, 2005

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen “Dexamethasone-Copolymer Composite Materials as Macrophage Anti-Inflammatory Materials for Enhancement of Implant Biocompatiblity.” to be submitted to Nature Materials, 2005.

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D.  Montemagno, “ Enhancing Conversion Efficiencies of Light-Dependent Proton Pumps Using Quantum Dot Nanocrystals,” in preparation, 2005.

  • B. Chu, D. Ho, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D.  Montemagno, “Composite Proton Exchange Membranes Functionalized with Biomolecules Reduce Methanol Crossover and Electro-osmotic Drag,” in preparation, 2005.

Conference Papers

  • J. Huang, A. Shalchi, D. Ho, Y.H. Zhang, E. McCabe, and C.M. Ho, “Rapid Bacterial Diagnosis-MEMS-based DNA Detection,” Pediatric Research 51 (4) 1610 Part 2 Suppl. (2002)

  • D. Ho, J.J. Schmidt, and C.D. Montemagno, “Protein/Polymer Hybrid Biomimetic Valves,” Proceedings of the Materials Research Society, 735 C.4.5.1-C.4.5.4 (2003)

  • D. Ho, and C.D. Montemagno, “Hybrid Protein/Polymer Biomimetic Membranes,”  IEEE Proceedings on Nanotechnology (1), 379 –382, August 2003

  • H. Lee, D. Ho, J.J. Schmidt, and C.D. Montemagno, “Biosolar Powered Fabric,” IEEE Proceedings on Nanotechnology (2), 733 –736, August 2003

  • D. Ho, B.  Chu, H.  Lee, and C.D. Montemagno, “Directed Protein Adsorption by Site-specific Labeling,” IEEE Proceedings on  Nanotechnology (2), Special Paper Session Paper Suppl. 2003

  • D. Ho, B.  Chu, and C.D.  Montemagno, “Nanoscale Hybrid Protein/Polymer Functionalized Devices,” Proc. SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng. 5389, 192 (2004)

  • D. Ho, B.  Chu, K.  Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “Functionalizing Biomimetic Membranes with Energy Transducing Proteins,” Proc. of the Mat. Res. Soc.  823, W11.8.1-W11.8.6, 2004

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “ Fabrication of Hybrid Bionanodevices Based on Coupled Protein Functionality,” Proc. ASME NANO, Pasadena, CA September 22-24, 2004

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, K.  Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “ Electrochemical Measurement of Coupled Protein Functionality Across Polymer Membranes,” Accepted to Proc. Electrochem. Soc.- Intl. Symp. on Nanoscale Devices, Materials, and Biological Systems: Fundamentals and Applications, Vol. AH1,  2004

  • B. Chu, D. Ho, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “Enhancing Proton Exchange Membrane Functionality with Biomolecules,” Accepted to Proc. Electrochem. Soc.- Intl. Symp. on Nanoscale Devices, Materials, and Biological Systems: Fundamentals and Applications, Vol. AH1, 2004

  • B. Chu, D. Ho, H.  Lee, K.  Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “Protein-Functionalized Proton Exchange Membranes,” Proc. ASME NANO, Pasadena, CA September 22-24, 2004

  •  H. Lee, D. Ho, B.  Chu, K.  Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “ Reconstituting Biomolecules into Artificial Membranes and Detection of their Activities,” Proc. ASME NANO, Pasadena, CA September 22-24, 2004

  • H. Lee, D. Ho, B. Chu, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “ Membrane Proteins in Artificial Systems,” Accepted to Proc. Electrochem. Soc.- Intl. Symp. on Nanoscale Devices, Materials, and Biological Systems: Fundamentals and Applications, Vol. AH1, 2004.

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno, “Synthesis and Characterization of Biomolecular Hybrids as Energy Conversion Systems,” International Symposium on Environmental Nanotechnology 2004, Taipei, Taiwan, December 1st, 2004.

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, K. Kuo, and C.D. Montemagno,
    “Coupled-Protein Functionality for Energy Conversion in Biomimetic Systems,” accepted 
    to IEEE Robio Conference, Hong Kong, June 28-July 3, 2005.

  • D. Ho, B.  Chu, H. Lee, K.  Kuo, E.K. Brooks, and C.D. Montemagno, “Light-Dependent Current Production Using Biofunctional ABA Triblock Copolymers,” Bio-Nano-Information Fusion, Marina Del Rey, California, July 20, 2005.

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen, “Interfacing Cellular Systems with Abiotic Materials Using Composite Collagen-Block Copolymer Thin Films,” Bio-Nano-Information Fusion, Marina Del Rey, California, July 20, 2005.

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen, “Induction of Muscle Cell Alignment Using Copolymer-Collagen Type I Biofilms Possessing Relative Stiffness Gradients.” submitted to Proc. of the Mat. Res. Soc.  October 2005.

  • D. Ho, and Y. Chen, “Diblock Copolymer Amphiphiles as Nanoscale Buoys for Interfacial Deposition of Collagen Type I.” submitted to Proc. of the Mat. Res. Soc.  October 2005.

  • D. Ho, E. Chow, G. Cheng, and Y.C. Tai, “Dexamethasone-Triblock Copolymer Composites as Immune-Suppressing Materials for Enhancement of Implant Biocompatiblity.” submitted to Proc. of the Mat. Res. Soc.  October 2005.

Invited Seminars

  • “Hybrid Nanotechnology,”
     Bionanotechnology: Academic and Industrial Partnerships in the UK and US,

          University of Southern California, June 10th, 2004

  • “Fabrication of Biomolecule-Copolymer Hybrids as Energy Conversion Systems”, California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) Invited Talk,
    University of California, Santa Barbara, February 18, 2005

  • “Light-Dependent Current Generation from Biofunctionalized ABA Triblock Copolymers,” Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, June 22, 2005.

  • “Realizing Cytomimicry Through Biotic-Abiotic Interfacing,” Keck Graduate Institute Special Seminar, Claremont, CA Nov. 3rd, 2005.

International and National Conference Presentations

  • D. Ho, J.J. Schmidt, E.K. Brooks, and C.D. Montemagno, Engineering Pore Proteins as Nanoscale Microfluidic Valves, NM2- Conference on Molecular Mechanics, Scholarship Recipient, Poster Presentation, Maui, HI, May 12-17, 2002

  • D. Ho, J.J. Schmidt, E.K. Brooks, and C.D. Montemagno, Engineering Pore Proteins as Nanoscale Microfluidic Valves, California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) Poster Symposium, 2002

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, J.J. Schmidt, E.K. Brooks, and C.D. Montemagno, “Engineering Pore Proteins as Nanoscale Macromolecule Sensors”, University of California Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium, San Diego, CA, June 21-23, 2003. Best Poster Presentation Award Winner

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, and C.D. Montemagno, “Nanoscale Hybrid Protein/Polymer Functionalized Devices,” SPIE Meeting on BioMEMS and Nanotechnology. March 2004.

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, and C.D. Montemagno, Functionalizing Nanoscale Polymeric Biomimetic Membranes with Energy Transduction Proteins, CESASC Annual Convention, May 22, 2004.

  • D. Ho, B. Chu, H. Lee, and C.D. Montemagno, “Synthesis and Characterization of Biomolecule-Copolymer Hybrids as Energy Conversion Systems,” CESASC Annual Convention, April 22, 2005.

Fellowships and Awards

  • Faculty Woman’s Club Endowed Scholarship, 1997

  • Guenther Empowerment Award, UCLA Unicamp 1999

  • UCLA Chancellor’s Service Award, 2002

  • University of California, Los Angeles, Bioengineering Dept., Departmental Fellowship, 2002-2003

  • DARPA Molecular Mechanics Scholarship Winner, 2001 (for poster presentation)

  • Best Poster Presentation Award Winner, UC Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium, 2003

  • University of California, Los Angeles, Bioengineering Dept., Departmental Fellowship, 2004-2005

  • Full Member, Sigma Xi Research Society, elected Fall 2004

  • Dr. Denny J. Ko Future Entrepreneurs Scholarship, Spring 2005

Professional Memberships

  • Materials Research Society

  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

  • Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE)

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

  • Founding Member, American Academy of Nanomedicine

  • Full Member, Sigma Xi Research Society (Elected)

  • Member, Biomedical Engineering Society (Elected)

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)

Community Service and Activities

  • President, Vice President - UCLA Interfraternity Council, 2000-2002

  • President - UCLA Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (2 year term), 1998-2000

  • External Vice President-Engineering Graduate Students Association, 2002-2003

  • Founder- First Annual UCLA Dance Marathon, 2001

  • UCLA Unicamp Head Counselor and WALL advisor, 1998-Present

  • Member – Chancellor’s Service Award Selection Committee, 2001