Research Interests: Crystallization, Biomaterials, Drug Substance, Nanoemulsions, Soft Matter.
Kidney stones impact 12-14% of the global population, with recurrence rates surpassing 50% within five years. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals dominate kidney stone composition, typically forming through classical layer-by-layer growth via monomer attachment. Macromolecular additives play a critical role in modulating crystallization processes, either by binding to solution components to reduce supersaturation or by physically blocking crystal growth sites.While prior studies have characterized individual modifiers, that either promote or inhibit the nucleation and growth of COM crystals. This work focuses identifying molecular modifiers and their synergistic interactions that cooperatively enhance or oppose COM crystallization. Using multiscale experimental approaches - from bulk crystallization assays where we assess the overall impact on COM crystallization, using microfluidics as a tool to screen modifiers, to using atomic force microscopy (AFM) - we identified modifier that effectively inhibit COM growth and promote dissolution under physiologically relevant conditions. These mechanistic insights will help advance the development of therapeutic strategies targeting pathological crystallization in kidney stone disease.