Celebrating the Achievements of Weinberg Fellows

The International Institute for Nanotechnology is delighted to share exciting news about both past and present Weinberg Family Postdoctoral Fellows.

First, congratulations to Dr. Peter T. Smith, who has been named Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia. During his time at Northwestern, Peter made important contributions to nanocombinatorial chemistry, led collaborative efforts, and mentored the next generation of researchers. His appointment continues a strong tradition of Weinberg Fellows moving on to impactful academic careers, following in the footsteps of Dr. Adrian Figg (Virginia Tech) and Dr. Yuwei Gu (Rutgers University).

We are equally proud to welcome Dr. Ryan E. Johnson as the fourth Weinberg Fellow. Ryan earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Guelph under the supervision of Prof. Richard Manderville. His research is focused on developing molecularly precise nucleic acid diagnostics using spherical nucleic acids to detect biomarkers of inflammation — a process tied to stress and linked to many human diseases, including cancer. This work is poised to deepen our understanding of inflammation and pave the way for improved treatments.

Reflecting on this honor, Ryan said: “It is a true honor to receive the Weinberg Fellowship and be in such strong company of scientists. Aided by this award, I can continue to work on truly exciting ideas that are cross-disciplinary and made possible by the outstanding research environment and community provided by Northwestern University and the IIN.”

The Weinberg Fellowship was established through a generous gift from the Judd A. Weinberg Family Trust. Thanks to this support, the fellowship continues to empower outstanding postdoctoral scholars as they launch the next stages of their scientific careers.

As the IIN celebrates its 25th anniversary, milestones like these highlight our enduring commitment to training and supporting the next generation of leaders in nanoscience and nanomedicine.