Birla Carbon International Scholars Program

Design of Gold-Silver Nanomaterial-based Stable and Flexible SERS Substrate for Detection of Toxins and Heterogeneous Catalysis. 

Spring 2026 Course Number: CHEM4100

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Bharat Baurah at Kennesaw State University; Dr. Narendra Nath Ghosh at Birla Institute of Technology & Science

For the detection of toxins and explosives, many analytical tools are in use, such as gas chromatography, neutron activation analysis, ion mobility spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis. These methods are efficient and well-established. However, tests with the above equipment are time-consuming and require skilled operators. Scientists have developed fluorometry, colorimetry, and Raman sensors for toxin and explosive detection. These sensors are cheaper, simpler, and have short data acquisition times. Among these, Raman sensors are popular because they reveal molecular "fingerprint", are noninvasive, require minimal preparation, and enable on-the-spot qualitative analysis. But Raman is a weaker technique and suffers from background noise due to strong fluorescence. The presence of plasmonic metal nanoparticles, such as silver and gold, amplifies Raman signals by several orders of magnitude. When molecules of interest are distributed at or near hot spots, they allow ultrasensitive detection of molecules, even at the single-molecule level. The enhancement of the Raman signal with metal nanoparticles is referred to as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique.

Most of the well-known SERS substrates in use are based on metal nanoparticles immobilized on rigid surfaces, namely, alumina, glass, or silicon wafer. Such substrates have a significant limitation: they cannot collect trace samples conveniently from real-world surfaces. Baruah Laboratory is interested in designing metal nanoparticle-based SERS substrates on flexible materials like baby wipes and cotton fabrics. In this project, we propose to immobilize gold–silver nanostars (AuNS@Ag) on cotton fabric (CF) support with the help of silicone glue (SiG). This flexible substrate will allow us to collect samples from any practical surface easily. Using the AuNS@Ag@SiG@CF as a SERS substrate, we will detect various toxins and explosive molecules at micro and nanomolar concentrations. The designed AuNS@Ag@SiG@CF will also be tested for heterogeneous catalysis in reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol and the recyclability of the catalytic reaction.

Design, synthetic, and technical aspects:

1) Synthesize silver and gold nanomaterials in aqueous media.
2) Immobilize nanomaterials and fabricate SERS substrates.
3) Characterize nanomaterials with XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopies.

The Learning Outcomes:

1) Knowledge of nanomaterial synthesis and design.
2) Knowledge of advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.
3) Knowledge in low-cost detection of toxins and environmental remediation.
4) Proficiency in data processing, interpretation, chemical drawing, literature review, professional communication (oral and written), teamwork, and global collaboration.

Dissecting Signaling in Epithelial Morphogenesis and Migration from Drosophila Follicle Cells to Human Cancers 

Spring 2026 Course Number: BIOL 4400

Faculty mentors: Dr. Dongyu Jia at Kennesaw State University; Dr. Angshuman Sarkar at Birla Institute of Technology & Science

In Dr. Jia’s Lab: Epithelial tissues line the organs, blood vessels, and cavities of multicellular organisms to provide protection, regulate chemical exchange, and secrete hormones for the underlying tissue. Epithelial cells transition among cuboidal, columnar, and squamous morphologies to maintain normal cellular functions, and improper changes may contribute to many diseases, including tumor malignancy. The Drosophila follicular epithelium, which covers the developing egg chambers, provides an excellent model for understanding how developmental signals control epithelial changes. These somatic follicle epithelial cells display all three primary shapes, along with a migratory, partially mesenchymal form. The anterior cuboidal follicle cells differentiate into partially mesenchymal border cells (BCs) and squamous cells (SCs). Despite recent advances, much remains to be understood about how signaling pathways coordinate epithelial cell morphological changes during development, including insights from single-cell transcriptomics. Drosophila Pvr (human homolog VEGFR2) has been known to regulate BC migration and cytoskeleton. In this research project, we will continue to investigate its role and have a comprehensive understanding of its molecular network and morphological steps involved in SC morphogenesis. Lab techniques, like single-cell transcriptomics analysis, live imaging, microscopic dissection, and immunostaining will be applied.

In Dr. Sarkar Lab: Lung cancer ranks among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current treatment strategies target inhibitors of key proteins involved in oncogenic processes, such as Avastin (a peptide inhibitor of VEGFR2) and erlotinib (an EGFR inhibitor), in conjunction with immunotherapy. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial biological process in both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, with EGFR signaling playing a key role in regulating EMT, therapeutic resistance, and tumor growth in these cancers. Quinacrine (QC) is an anti-inflammatory molecule, its anticancer properties have been demonstrated in many tumor cells. It can activate p53 without causing genotoxicity by stabilizing the protein, preventing ubiquitination, and increasing transcriptional activation. QC helps inhibit EMT and related metastatic activities in cancer. Our research has also led to the discovery of novel targets of QC, to which the drug binds and inhibits their activity. We have identified and demonstrated both computationally and experimentally that QC binds to the novel proteins GSTα (GSTA1), VEGFR2 (Src family kinase). All of these proteins are well known to play important roles in proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and chemo-resistance of cancer cells. We use various cell culture based in vitro analysis, computational studies and protein expression analysis.

In Search of Topological Superconductors

Spring 2026 Course Number: PHYS 4400

Faculty mentors: Dr. Chetan Dhital at Kennesaw State University; Dr. Arnab Roy at Birla Institute of Technology & Science

Research Overview

We are searching for topological superconductors — exotic materials that may host Majorana zero modes called ‘anyons’. These quasiparticles are topologically protected and could form the foundation of the next generation of fault-tolerant quantum computers. This project combines materials synthesis, thin-film growth, and advanced characterization with opportunities to collaborate internationally.

Classical computers use bits (0 or 1). They are powerful, but they reach limits in solving problems involving enormous complexity — like simulating molecules, designing new materials, or breaking encryption. Quantum computers use qubits, which can be 0 and 1 at the same time (superposition) and linked in powerful ways (entanglement). This makes them capable of solving problems classical computers cannot. Today’s quantum computers are in the Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) era. They can perform remarkable tasks, but their qubits are fragile and easily disrupted by noise. Scaling them into large, reliable machines is one of the biggest challenges in science.

To overcome noise and instability, researchers are turning to topological quantum computing. In certain superconductors, electrons can form Majorana zero modes, a type of non-Abelian anyon. Exchanging (or braiding) these anyons changes the system’s quantum state in a stable, protected way. This makes them ideal candidates for fault-tolerant qubits, unlocking the true potential of quantum computing. Our group is investigating two promising candidates for topological superconductivity: Ti(Se₁₋ᵧTeᵧ)₂ and TaSe₃.

What we will do: 1. Synthesize materials via chemical vapor transport (CVT). 2. Prepare thin films using RF sputtering. 3. Characterize samples with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

What You Will Learn:

-Solid-state synthesis & thin-film growth - Advanced material characterization: XRD, SEM, EDX, electrical transport, magnetization - Quantum concepts: superconductivity, topology, and how Majorana anyons could power the future of quantum computing.

International Collaboration

This project will be carried out at: 
- Kennesaw State University (USA) 
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus (India)

Students will gain the unique opportunity to collaborate with international scientists, building both technical skills and global research experience.