Join us for a two-day workshop of university researchers, defense leaders, and innovation partners focused on advancing research security, strengthening strategic partnerships, and accelerating pathways from discovery to defense impact.
Meet the Speakers & Panelists
Dr. Ignatova’s personal research interests and professional training are highly cross-disciplinary, enabling a wide perspective on nano-science in general. Her solid physics backgrounds and extensive research experience in nanotechnology and bioengineering allow her to excel at the cutting edge of applied physics and materials science of low-dimensional nanostructures.
In her group, they work on a number of projects on experimental nanoscience of low-dimensional materials, focusing on physics of biosensing, spectroscopic intra-cellular imaging, and nanofabrication for energy storage. This research is aimed at advancing applications based on 2D layered materials and hybrid DNA-nanotube structures, pushing the limits of nano-characterization and nanofabrication, and exploring nanomaterials for transdisciplinary applications.
Dr. Dellinger is an Associate Professor in the Nanoengineering department. Her current research is focused on the application of engineering principles to solve challenges in human health and medicine. In particular, she is interested in the development of next-gen surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy techniques to analyze cellular mechanisms that underlie disease pathogenesis, as well as smart biomaterial design. She is active in the SynBio Journal Club at JSNN, serves as an industrial mentor in the NSF iCORPS program and is passionate about engaging youth in STEM careers by early exposure to research.
Dr. Ramanathan Nagarajan (Nagu) is an internationally recognized expert on molecular self-assembly, colloids, polymers and nanomaterials. His fundamental and applied research program focuses on the development and incorporation of polymeric, biological, inorganic and carbon nanomaterials into soldier protective clothing and equipment for chemical, biological, flame, ballistic and environmental protection. He serves as the Army’s Senior Research Scientist in nanomaterials-based technologies especially to address soldier domain problem areas affecting individual Warfighter and small units. He is a senior advisor to the Director, DEVCOM Soldier Center and to other scientific and technical personnel within the Army and Department of Defense on general research problems related to the creation, development, and exploitation of advanced materials technology, especially that utilizing nanomaterials, for application to future Soldier systems. He is a mentor to young researchers. Through his own collaborative research and his leadership role in professional societies, he serves as a link between Army scientists and the community of international academic researchers in the broad areas of colloid, polymer and nanomaterial science.
Dr. Sherine Obare is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, appointed in 2024, and a professor of nanoscience with a strong background in research leadership. She previously served as dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering and has earned national recognition for her work, including honors from the American Chemical Society and multiple regional leadership awards. Her research focuses on nanomaterials with applications in environmental protection, healthcare, and energy, and she has secured significant grant funding while publishing extensively. Beyond her scholarship, she is committed to advancing innovation, fostering university–industry partnerships, and mentoring students, while also actively promoting STEM education at both local and national levels.
Craig L. Rettie serves as the Director of Research and Technology Integration at the DEVCOM Soldier Center, where he leads the planning, coordination, and integration of science and technology programs that support U.S. Army soldiers. In this role, he ensures research efforts align with mission needs to enhance soldier performance, protection, and effectiveness, working closely with external partners across government, industry, and academia. A member of the Senior Executive Service, Rettie is recognized for his extensive leadership experience and long-standing service, playing a key role in advancing innovation and delivering capabilities that help prepare and equip warfighters for current and future challenges.
Jaclyn M. Fontecchio serves as Deputy Director of the DEVCOM Soldier Center, where she oversees business operations, strategic planning, and administrative functions that support the organization’s science and technology mission for enhancing soldier performance. She began her career in 2002 as an aerospace engineer, contributing to aerial delivery systems and mission planning tools for Army and Air Force partners, and later gained legislative experience through a congressional fellowship. Over time, she advanced into leadership roles, including directing major research and development initiatives focused on improving soldier protection, mobility, and situational awareness. Recognized for her contributions with a Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, Fontecchio combines technical expertise and operational leadership to help guide the center’s long-term innovation efforts.
Dr. Rathnayake’s research work has contributed to the field of optoelectronic devices, particularly for the development of organic light emitting diodes, which are nowadays using in flat panel displays. Dr. Rathnayake’s work has been published in highly rated peer-reviewed journals such as Nanoscale, Macromolecules, Chemistry of Materials, the Journal of Material Chemistry, RSC Advances, and the New Journal of Chemistry. Her research has received ~ $3.5 million in funding including recent awards from the NASA NC Space Consortium and the Department of Defense. Her service to UNCG includes: University Grievance committee, Research Policies Committee, Scholarly Communication Committee, and in the past as the Department Director of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Lifeng Zhang is currently an associate professor of nanoengineering at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Fiber and Polymer Science from the University of California at Davis in 2006. Prior to joining the faculty at JSNN in 2012, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis from 2006 to 2007 and as a research scientist from level I to III at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2007 to 2011.
Dr. Aravamudhan’s interests lie at the intersection of micro/nanotechnology and life sciences, with an overarching goal to question and better understand how the biological system functions. The hypothesis is that by using the unique phenomena at the micro and nano-length scales and by shrinking devices down to a scale comparable to typical biological system fundamental biological questions can be addressed.
His current research interests:
- Functional Additive Manufacturing
- Nanobioelectronic Systems for Disease Diagnostics and Regenerative Engineering
- Environmental and Health Impacts of Engineered and Transformed Nanomaterials
- Two-dimensional Nanomaterials for Flexible Electronics
Prof. Iyer has been responsible for initiating and developing NC A&T SU’s state of the art Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) Laboratory and associated academic and research programs. She has been a PI of over $10 million in DoD research projects. She was also the Director of the Center of Excellence for Battlefield Capability Enhancements, which focused on developing technologies for environmentally stable flexible panel displays.
Her current research interests are molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth, characterization, and fabrication of GaAsSb(N) nanowire based infrared photodetectors epitaxially integrated into Si and graphene for next-generation photonic devices. This cross-disciplinary research encompasses solid state physics, nanoengineering, and optoelectronic devices.
Dr. Allred is an expert in the area of understanding the role that diet and endogenous and exogenous sources of hormonal activity play in the development and progression of epithelial derived cancers. He has published many manuscripts (Cancer Research, Journal of Nutrition, the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in this area which have significantly impacted the understanding of the physiological role of dietary components. Many of these studies were conducted in vivoutilizing models of colonic tumorigenesis and inflammation. The primary focus of Dr. Allred’s laboratory in the past twelve years has been to elicit the response of non-transformed colonocytes to endogenous hormones and xenoestrogens commonly found in the diet. His research uses molecular biology and preclinical modeling approaches to ascertain how the diet influences intestinal physiology. Recently, he has begun to investigate the microbiome and the important role it plays in intestinal health. Dr. Allred has extensively investigated how dietary components may act as ligands of nuclear receptors in non-malignant and fully transformed cancer cells.
Bob Burton joined the North Carolina Military Business Center in 2020 and now serves as Director of Defense Technologies, where he connects North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem with Department of Defense and Homeland Security needs to deliver dual-use solutions for warfighters and first responders. He supports business development, contracting, and partnership-building while expanding opportunities across the state. A retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major with over 30 years of service, Bob brings extensive leadership experience from tactical to strategic levels, including advising senior military and diplomatic efforts worldwide. He also contributes to innovation through work with NC State’s Hacking for Defense program and remains committed to supporting the military community and advancing North Carolina’s leadership in defense and technology.
Jacob joined NCBiotech in May 2023 as Program Manager for the Military Outreach Engagement (M.O.V.E.) initiative, where he connects veterans, transitioning service members, and military families with Career Skills Program internships, BioWork training, and in-demand life sciences careers. A combat veteran with over 20 years of active-duty service, he brings extensive experience in project management, human resources, and talent acquisition. Jacob holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Business and Religion) from Liberty University and is passionate about helping veterans find purpose after military service. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, supporting his church, outdoor activities, and cheering on the Carolina Panthers.