Meet our team

Principal Investigator
Ana Paula fugolin, DDS, Ms, PHD

Associate Professor 
Department of Biomaterial and Biomedical Sciences
Department of Restorative Dentistry
OHSU - School of Dentistry
​Dr. Fugolin is a dentist-scientist specializing in the development of cutting-edge biomaterials. Her research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of self-healing biomaterials and stimuli-responsive therapeutic platforms for targeted, on-demand, and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents in chronic inflammatory diseases. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Piracicaba Dental School at UNICAMP, where she also completed her MS and PhD in Dental Materials. During her PhD, she interned at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), later returning to OHSU for postdoctoral training in Biomaterials and Biomechanics. Dr. Fugolin is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the K99/R00 NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (DE028876), the Collins Medical Trust Award, and the R01 NIH Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Award (DE032302). Recognized for both scientific excellence and mentorship, she received the Discover in Science Award in 2024 and the FLAME Award in Mentorship in 2026.

Senior ​Research Assistant
Bao HUYNH, Bsc

Bao is a recent graduate from the University of Portland and graduated with a BS in Chemistry, with research experience in natural products and synthesis of symmetric 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)phenols. In his spare time, Bao loves to cook and bake sourdough bread. He enjoys listening to and performing as a choir member

Postdoctoral Fellow
Sivashankari Rajasekaran, BSC, MS, PHd

Dr. Rajasekaran is from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Her thesis was on "Studies on Chitosan-Graphene Oxide Based Hybrid Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications". She has extensive experience in synthesis and characterization of both natural (chitosan, pectin, guar gum) and synthetic polymers (polycaprolactone and polypyrrole) -based tissue engineering scaffolds, metal nanoparticles, and carbon nanomaterials such as graphene oxide. Her interest is to explore the polymeric biomaterials and nanoparticles resulting in the fabrication of multifunctional systems for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. ​
​Dr. Rajasekaran is a recipient of the prestigious Collins Medical Trust Award and a NIH/NIDCR K99/R00.

Postdoctoral Fellow
Tapas Ghosh, BSC, MS, PhD

Dr. Tapas completed his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, India. His Ph.D. thesis is entitled “Self-assembled Guanosine and Peptide Based Hydrogels: Relevant Applications”. He is well experienced in developing low molecular weight hydrogels (LMWHs). Dr. Ghosh has an extensive research experience in solution phase peptide synthesis, peptide-based hydrogel formation, nucleopeptide synthesis, dynamic covalent bond directed G-quadruplex hydrogels formation, characterization of hydrogels, hydrogel-based drug delivery and antimicrobial applications. Currently, his research interest is to develop functional biomaterials-based hydrogel systems for dental healthcare applications. Other than his research life, he also loves travelling, cooking and listening music. 

Postdoctoral Fellow
Jesse Corcoran, BSC, PhD

Dr. Corcoran completed his Ph.D. from Portland State University under the mentorship of Dr. Brooke A. Napier. His Ph.D. thesis was on “Characterizing the Role of the Complement Receptor C3aR in Regulating Inflammatory Responses and Mitochondrial Function in Activated Macrophages.” He has extensive research experience in molecular and cell biology as well as molecular immunology. Currently, his research interests focus on determining the immunogenic potential of cell-free DNA in patients with periodontal disease and helping to develop drug delivery systems for use in dental healthcare applications. In his spare time, he enjoys reading science fiction novels, painting, hiking, and spending time with his partner and their dog Kona.

Postdoctoral Fellow
KRISHNA kUMAR kUNGUMARAJ, BSC, ms, PhD

Dr. Kungumaraj is an interdisciplinary researcher, completed his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from University of Madras. His thesis entitled “Anodic stripping voltametric determination of metal ions and development of amperometric sensor for the determination of biomolecules using curcumin modified electrode”. He is experienced in developing analytical methods and instrumentation. His expertise are in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanomaterials, (metal oxides, metal nanoparticles), carbon materials (carbon quantum dots, reduced graphene oxide, functionalized carbon nanotubes) and polymers. He has developed electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring, food analysis and clinical diagnosis. His research interest is to develop an actuation platform for drug screening and cell analysis. Outside his research work, he volunteered for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) as Chemistry Lab Solution Specialist, involving in demonstrating chemical science experiments to students and OMSI visitors.  

Visiting phD Student
Larissa Pandolfo Pavanello,
​RPh, Ms, phD student

Ms. Pavanello is a pharmacist who graduated from the Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba (UNIMEP) and earned her Master’s degree in Pharmacology, Anesthesiology, and Therapeutics from the Piracicaba Dental School – UNICAMP, where she is currently a PhD candidate. Her research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of innovative biomaterials and particulate systems for the targeted delivery of antimicrobial and remineralizing agents in dentistry. As part of her doctoral training, Dr. Pavanello is conducting an international internship at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

Visiting phD Student
PEDRO IGOR DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA, BSC, Ms, phD student

Pedro is a pharmacist (Federal University of Ceará – UFC), holds a Master’s degree and is a PhD student in Pharmaceutical Sciences (UFC). His experience includes the development of semisolid formulations and the evaluation of biological effects (antimicrobial and antioxidant activities) of natural products such as essential oils and extracts. His current projects are in Pharmaceutical Technology (nanotechnology, spray-drying, and HPLC), with nanocarriers for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. He is currently a Visiting PhD student at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Pedro is also a missionary, so he enjoys prayer groups, singing and spending time with his girlfriend, family and friends.

fugolin Lab

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