Elbert, Jeffrey

• Ph.D., Northwestern University

• MBA, Capella University

• M.S., Chemistry, Northwestern University

• B.S., Chemistry, Iowa State University

Dr. Elbert’s research focuses on photoactive organic compounds. These are organic molecules that absorb light in the ultra-violet and visible region resulting in energetically activated molecules that are studied.

Currently Dr. Elbert’s research interest lie in synthesizing and characterizing polyetherdiamino naphthalimide derivatives. These compounds absorb in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and release the absorbed energy predominately as heat. Treatment of tissues with the derivatized naphthalimides results in various beneficial efects including collagen reorganization, arterial wall stabilization, AV fistula strengthening, and cellular function changes, e.g., up or down regulation of various cellular functions.

Dr. Elbert’s group synthesizes naphthalimides with various polyetherdiamino linker groups and studies the resulting changes in solution structure and photochemical properties.

The goal of our research is to pass on new naphthalimides with promising properties to our collaborators who probe the efect cell cultures and other tissues.