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Katie R. Hurley
13385 Hughes Court Office Phone: (612) 625-4236
Apple Valley, MN 55124 E-mail: steve795@umn.edu
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Mentor: Christy L. Haynes
Ph.D. in Chemistry (GPA: 3.87) summer 2015 (expected)
M.S. in Chemistry (GPA: 3.87) 2012
Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
B.A. in Chemistry (GPA: 3.93) 2010
EXPERIENCE
University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry
Graduate Research Assistant September 2010 - present
 Designed and synthesized multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles for in vivo imaging, drug
delivery, and magnetic fluid hyperthermia applications with consideration for future scale up and good
manufacturing process (GMP) synthesis conditions.
 Characterized materials in biologically-relevant environments (salt and protein-containing media) with
light and electron microscopy, colorimetric assays, ICP-OES of dissolved ions, benchtop relaxometry for
magnetic properties, etc.
 Determined the effects of aggregation on iron oxide nanoparticle function and effectively halted
negative effects via the addition of a functionalized mesoporous silica shell
 Collaborated with chemists, mechanical engineers, radiologists, and cancer biologists to investigate
complex problems related to nanoparticle behavior in vivo
 Utilized synthetic skills and electron microscopy expertise to assist collaborators with projects unrelated
to thesis work (nanoparticle uptake studies, dark field microscopy method development, protein
nanoring characterization)
 Contributed to the design and content of two funded research grant proposals totaling $397,000
 Disseminated research results with 12 peer-reviewed papers and various professional presentations
 Filed a provisional patent on the synthesis of iron oxide and mesoporous silica nanoparticles
 Maintained comprehensive paper and electronic documentation of experimental design, procedures,
results, and analyses
 Actively participated in weekly group meetings during which ecological nanotoxicity, analytical
UPLC/MS/MS methods, and polymer synthesis/characterization methods were discussed
Research Mentor for Undergraduate Students June 2011 - present
 Planned and directed research projects for three undergraduate students for at least one year each
 Determined priorities and timelines appropriate for each student’s experience level, available time, and
enthusiasm for the project
 Developed critical thinking, experimental design, and time management skills in students through daily
informal discussions and weekly research meetings

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 Helped to secure presentation opportunities, monetary research support, and academic awards for each
(including three research fellowships, two honors fellowships, two presentations, one travel grant, two
academic manuscripts under review, and one internship at a device manufacturing company)
Organic and Analytical Chemistry Teaching Assistant September 2010 – May 2011
 Supervised 14 undergraduate students of varying majors for eight hours per week during chemistry
laboratory sections
 Taught and enforced safety practices (100% of students indicated that the use of PPE was always
enforced)
 Developed critical thinking and reasoning skills in students (79% of students rated my ability to develop
critical thought as ‘outstanding,’ and 93% would prefer to learn from me in a future class)
 Prepared and delivered pre-lab lectures indicated by students to be clear, appropriate in length and
content, and interesting
University of Minnesota Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Joint Safety Team Founding Member and Administrative Committee Chair 2012 - 2015
 Together with Dow Chemical Company and student partners, initiated and developed a researcher-led
organization to positively change the culture of safety in two academic departments encompassing >600
active researchers
 Spearheaded initial organization efforts, defined goals in comprehensive “JST Recommendations”
 Coordinated the efforts of >60 laboratory safety officers as various committees made posters,
developed safety trainings, conducted informal audits, etc.
 Saved >$4500 in unknown waste identification costs via the organization of department-wide cleanup
days for chemicals and equipment
 Educated other organizations (within the University of Minnesota and nationally) about how to start
their own JST through instructional videos, demonstrations, and invited presentations
Northwestern University Department of Chemistry
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Researcher, mentored by Mercouri Kanatzidis 2009
 Used high temperature solid state techniques to synthesize and characterize three new thermoelectric
materials based on metal chalcogenides with a SnSe minor phase for improved heat to electricity energy
conversion efficiency
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Great Lakes WATER Institute
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Researcher, mentored by James T. Waples 2008
 Tracked groundwater seepage into the Wisconsin coastline of Lake Michigan using naturally-occurring
radium tracers
 Modified and applied oceanographic techniques to a freshwater system
Carthage College, Kenosha WI Department of Chemistry
Student Researcher, mentored by Christine Blaine 2008
 Monitored seasonal changes in the salt concentration of the Pike River in Kenosha, WI, using a chloride
ion-specific electrode and other analytical techniques

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PUBLICATIONS
Hurley, K.R.; Ring, H.L.; Kang, H.; Klein, N.D.; Haynes, C.L. “Characterization of Magnetic Nanoparticles in
Biological Matrices” invited feature article for Analytical Chemistry, Submitted
Hang, M.; Gunsolus, I.; Wayland, H.; Melby, E.; Mensch, A.; Hurley, K.; Pederson, J.; Haynes, C.; Hamers, R.
“The Impact of Nanoscale Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide NMC on Bacterium Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1” In Revision
Feng, Z.V.; Gunsolus, I.L.; Qiu, T.A.; Hurley, K.R.; Nyberg, L.H.; Frew, H.; Johnson, K.P.; Vartanian, A.M.;
Jacob, L.M.; Lohse, S.E.; Torelli, M.D.; Hamers, R.J.; Murphy, C.J.; Haynes, C.L. “Impacts of Gold Nanoparticle
Charge and Ligand Type on Surface Binding and Toxicity to Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria”
Submitted
Hurley, K.R.; Ring, H.L.; Etheridge, M.L.; Zhang, J.; Klein, N.D.; Szlag, V.; Chung, C.; Shao, Qi.; Reineke, T.M.;
Garwood, M.; Bischof, J.C.; Haynes, C.L. “Predictable Hyperthermia and Positive MRI Contrast from a
Mesoporous Silica-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticle” Submitted
Klein, N.D.; Hurley, K.R.* Feng, Z.V.; Haynes, C.L. “Dark Field Transmission Electron Microscopy as a Tool for
Identifying Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biological Matrices” Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87, 4356-4362.
*co-first author
Egger, S.M.; Hurley, K.R.; Datt, A.; Swindlehurst, G.; Haynes, C.L. “Ultraporous Mesostructured Silica
Nanoparticles” Chemistry of Materials 2015, 27, 3193-3196.
Etheridge, M.L.; Hurley, K.R.; Zhang, J.; Jeon, S.; Ring, H.L.; Hogan, C.; Haynes, C.L.; Garwood, M.; Bischof,
J.C. “Accounting for Biological Aggregation in Heating and Imaging of Magnetic Nanoparticles” Technology
2014, 2, 214
Kim, D.; Finkenstaedt-Quinn, S.; Hurley, K.R.; Buchman, J.T.; Haynes, C.L. “On-chip evaluation of platelet
adhesion and aggregation upon exposure to mesoporous silica nanoparticles” Analyst 2014, 139(5), 906-
913.
McGarry, K.; Hurley, K.R.; Volp, K.; Hill, I.; Merritt, B.; Peterson, K.; Rudd, P.; Erickson, N.; Seiler, L.; Gupta, P.
Tolman, W.; “Student Involvement in Improving the Culture of Safety in Academic Laboratories” J. Chem.
Ed. 2013, 90(11), 1414-1417
Hurley, K.R.; Lin, Y.-S.; Zhang, J.; Egger, S.M.; Haynes, C.L. “Effects of Mesoporous Silica Coating and Post-
Synthetic Treatment on the Transverse Relaxivity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles” Chem. Mater. 2013, 25, 1968-
1978.
Lin, Y-S.; Hurley, K.R.*; Haynes, C.L. “Critical Considerations in the Biomedical Use of Mesoporous Silica
Nanoparticles” J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2012, 3, 364-374
*co-first author
Lin, Y-S.; Abadeer, N.; Hurley, K.R.; Haynes, C.L. “Ultrastable, Redispersable, Small, and Highly Organo-
Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanotherapeutics” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133 (50), 20444-20457.

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Stevens, K.R.; Girard, S.N.; Johnsen, S.; Kanatzidis, M.G. “Investigation of the Thermoelectric Properties of
Metal Chalcogenides with SnSe” Nanoscape 2010, 7, 52-58.
PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS
“Functionalized Mesoporous Silica as a Versatile Protective Coating for Iron Oxide Nanoparticles” (poster,
one of 8 finalists for best poster award)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers 4th
Global Conference on Nanoengineering for Medicine and
Biology (ASME NEMB) 2015
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Connie Chung, Michael Etheridge, Qi Shao, Jinjin Zhang, Qi Shao, Victoria
Szlag, Theresa Reineke, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and Christy L. Haynes
“Utilizing Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications” (invited poster)
University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Showcase 2015
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Connie Chung, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Qi Shao, Victoria Szlag,
Theresa Reineke, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and Christy L. Haynes
“The Power of Rust and Sand at the Nanoscale: Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for
Theranostic Applications” (presentation)
American Chemical Society Spring Meeting 2015
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Connie Chung, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Qi Shao, Victoria Szlag,
Theresa Reineke, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and Christy L. Haynes
“The Power of Rust and Sand at the Nanoscale: Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for
Biomedical Applications” (invited presentation)
University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Seminar Series, 2015
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and
Christy L. Haynes
“Improving the Biomedical Performance of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles via a Mesoporous Silica Shell” (poster)
93rd
Graduate Women in Science Annual Conference, 2014
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and
Christy L. Haynes
“Biological Use of Mesoporous Silica and Iron Oxide at the Nanoscale” (presentation)
Graduate Women in Science – Xi Chapter Meeting, 2014
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and
Christy L. Haynes
“Improving the Biological Performance of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles via a Mesoporous Silica Shell” (poster)
Society for Thermal Medicine Annual Meeting, 2014
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and
Christy L. Haynes

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“Improving the Biological Performance of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with a Mesoporous Silica Shell”
(presentation)
Materials Research Society Spring 2014 Meeting, 2014
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie L. Ring, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John C. Bischof, and
Christy L. Haynes
“Student Involvement in Improving the Culture of Safety in Academic Research Laboratories: A Case Study
from the University of Minnesota” (invited presentation)
Duquesne University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 2014
Katie R. Hurley, Melissa Baudhuin, Katie Peterson, Theodore Knudson, Christopher Smith, Clifford Gee,
Haley Phillips, and Alyssa McKenna
“Imaging, Drug Delivery, and Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia with Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica”
(presentation)
University of Minnesota Women in Science and Engineering Luncheon, 2013
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, Michael Etheridge, Sam Egger, Jinjin Zhang, John Bischof, and Christy L. Haynes
“Understanding and Controlling Nanoparticle Aggregation for Improved Imaging and Therapy”
(presentation)
University of Minnesota 12th
Chemistry Graduate Student Research Symposium, 2013
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Sam Egger, John Bischof, and Christy L. Haynes
“Theranostic Nanoparticles in the Haynes Lab: Iron Oxide and Mesoporous Silica as a Winning Combination”
(poster)
Institute for Engineering in Medicine Annual Conference and Retreat, 2013
Katie R. Hurley, Hattie Ring, Joseph T. Buchman, Michael Etheridge, Jinjin Zhang, Michael Garwood, John
Bischof, and Christy Haynes
“Transverse Relaxivity Investigations of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles” (presentation)
Graduate Women in Science – Xi Chapter Meeting, 2013
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, Jinjin Zhang, and Christy L. Haynes
“Synthetic Considerations for Optimal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast in Fe3O4@Mesoporous Silica
Nanoparticles” (poster)
243rd
American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, 2012
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, and Christy L. Haynes
“Synthetic Considerations for Optimal MRI Contrast in Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles” (poster)
4th
EuCheMS Chemistry Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, 2012
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, Sam Egger, Jinjin Zhang, and Christy L. Haynes
“Effects of Mesoporous Silica Coating on the Transverse Relaxivity of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles” (invited
presentation)
Cancer Nanotechnology Conference: Mechanisms in Nanoparticle Hyperthermia, 2012
Katie R. Hurley, Yu-Shen Lin, Jinjin Zhang, Sam Egger, and Christy L. Haynes

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AWARDS AND HONORS
University of Minnesota Graduate School
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship 2014
National Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship 2011 - 2014
Xi Chapter of Graduate Women in Science
Agnes Hansen Travel Award 2013
Mary Haga Travel Award 2012
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Department of Chemistry
Beaker and Bunsen Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation 2013
American Chemical Society
4th
EuCheMS Chemistry Congress Travel Award 2012
APPLICABLE SKILLS
 Inorganic nanoparticle synthesis
 Powder x-ray diffraction
 Transmission electron microscopy
o Cryogenic/room temperature
o Soft and hard materials
o Biological sample prep
o Electron energy loss spectroscopy
o Energy dispersive spectroscopy
 Dark field light microscopy
 Nitrogen physisorption
 Dynamic light scattering
 Zeta potential measurements
 Benchtop relaxometry
 Magnetic properties measurement systems
 UV-visible spectroscopy
 Ion selective electrodes
 Laser flash analysis (LFA) for thermal
conductivity measurements
 Electrical conductivity and Seebeck
Coefficient measurements
 Atomic absorbance spectroscopy
 Experimental design
 Technical writing
 Grant applications
 Mentoring
 Team leadership
 Data analysis
 Record-keeping
 Communication to non-experts
 Graphic design for scientific figures