Nikola Stanic
Graduate Student
About Nikola
Nikola hails from the mountainous cliffs of Montenegro. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by nature and understanding how things work. His journey took him to the United Kingdom, where he completed high school at UWC Atlantic in a castle by the sea. Little did he know that fate would lead him across the Atlantic to Northwestern University, where he earned a BA in Chemistry and Biology, as well as an MS in Biomedical Engineering. Currently, Nikola is developing next-generation mRNA-based infectious disease vaccines under the mentorship of Professors Aaron Esser-Kahn and Jeffrey Hubbell.
Outside of the lab, Nikola enjoys playing various sports and proudly celebrates the achievements of Serbian athletes and scientists who share his name and heritage.
Education
BA in Chemistry and Biology with Honors, Northwestern University, 2023
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Thesis: Liposomal Spherical Nucleic Acid Cellular Uptake, Processing and Retention in Murine Macrophages
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MS in Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2023
Favorite Quote
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
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- Marie Curie
Scientific Hero
Polly Matzinger
Favorite Paper
Mirkin, C. A.; Letsinger, R. L.; Mucic, R. C.; Storhoff, J. J. "A DNA-Based Method for Rationally Assembling Nanoparticles into Macroscopic Materials."
If you could be a piece of lab equipment, what would you be?
Nikola identifies with a centrifuge because just like a centrifuge he is constantly working.
Nikola's Research
Nikola is focused on developing lipid nanoparticle formulations for enhancing mRNA vaccine performance, with the goal of reducing inflammation and improving vaccine responses in infectious diseases relying on the novel immunomodulator platform. His work bridges cutting-edge research in immunoengineering, nanoparticle design, and mRNA technology, aiming to create more effective and safer vaccines.