NINT Principal Investigator, Theory and Modeling / Nano-Biosystems

Adjunct Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta

Dr. Stepanova conducts research pursuing a multiscale, bottom-up numeric analysis of functional biochemical processes, and its application to rational development of biotechnologies.

Recent breakthroughs in genomics and proteomics have provided a rich pool of information on the fundamental building blocks behind cellular physiology. These building blocks such as aminoacid composition of proteins, are believed to determine the cellular metabolism, intracellular signaling, and intercellular interactions, eventually shaping the properties and functions of cells and tissues. One can anticipate a fast progress in health, medical, and agriculture technologies made possible by controlling cellular physiology with engineering of protein aminoacid sequences. The successful implementation requires a development of multidisciplinary expertise and methodologies including characterization of proteins’ structure in the functional context (both numerically and experimentally), as well as development and experimental validation of multiscale numeric models relating the structure and function of individual biomolecules with the anticipated physiologic responses at various system levels. Dr. Stepanova's research comprises:

• Development of a basic numeric methodology for characterization and prediction of coarse-grained structure and dynamics in proteins, targeting applications in structural biology and biomolecular engineering;
• Development of models describing surfactants, and applications to analysis of the structure and function of biomembrames.

Her further research interests include:

• Numeric study of trans-membrane permeation of nanoscale objects;
• Application of organic surfactants for nano-encapsulation;
• Development of multiscale numeric models describing cellular biokinetics, with application to health and environmental safety of nanomaterials and drug delivery.

The theoretic and numeric approaches that Dr. Stepanova and her team apply comprise the multivariate analysis of molecular dynamics simulations, generalized Langevin dynamics, self-consistent field theory, kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations, and continuum kinetic models.

Dr. Stepanova also currently manages a collaborative research and innovation project on computer-aided optimization of direct-write ultra-high resolution nanopatterning using electron beam lithography. Together with collaborators from NINT, the University of Alberta, and industry, she develops processes for fabrication of dense nanopatterns with the sizes less than 50 nm.

Employment

• NINT Principal Investigator, NINT, National Research Council, Edmonton, Alberta. 2005-Present.
• Adjunct Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 2005-Present.
• Research Associate, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 2000-2005.
• Researcher (tenure-track) /Senior Researcher (tenure), Nonlinear Dynamics Lab, Keldysh Institute for Applied Mathematics (KIAM), Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Moscow, Russia. 1994-1996/1996-1999.
• Junior Researcher, Auger Electron Spectroscopy Lab, National Center for Surface and Vacuum Science, Moscow, Russia. 1992-1994.
• Research Assistant, Auger Electron Spectroscopy Lab, National Center for Surface and Vacuum Science, Moscow, Russia. 1986-1988.
• Research Assistant, Thermophysics Lab, National Metrological Center, Moscow, Russia. 1984-1985.

Education / Degrees

• Dr. Sci., St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia. 1998.
• PhD, National Center for Surface and Vacuum Science, Moscow, Russia. 1992.
• M.Sc., Faculty of Physics, Department of Solid State Physics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. 1984.

Highlights

• Broad multidisciplinary scope of research in theory and modeling of micro-and nanoscale processes in condensed matter.
• More than 45 published articles.
• Development of a basic theoretic paradigm for coarse-graining of proteins.
• Expertise, innovative contributions, and project management in the following fields:
  
  1. Mesoscopic theory, coarse-grained and continuum modeling of soft-matter systems , including collective dynamics in proteins, self-assembly in surfactants and block copolymers, and dissolution of polymeric photoresists;
  
  2. Fabrication of nanopatterns in polymeric photoresist (PMMA) by electron-beam lithography (EBL). Computer-aided optimization of the EBL fabrication of nanostructures. Software development for EBL optimization.
  
  3. Kinetic modeling of various aspects of particle interaction with surfaces, including particle transport in solids, radiation-induced emission from solid surfaces, radiation-generated micro- and nanostructure changes at surfaces and in polymers, surface diagnostics employing particle impact, and synthesis of surface nanostructures by physical vapor deposition.

Contact Information

11421 Saskatchewan Drive
NINT Building, Room 2-041
Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9
Phone: 780-641-1717
Fax: 780-641-1601
E-mail: Maria.Stepanova@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Publications

Maria Stepanova Publications.pdf