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Dr. Alex Simonian  joined the Mechanical Engineering faculty of Auburn University in January 2003. He was previously working at Texas A&M University as a Visiting Associate Professor in both the Biochemistry & Biophysics, and Chemical Engineering Departments. Before coming to the United States Dr. Simonian was working at a variety of professional, academic and industrial institutions in Armenia, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Italy. He founded Biosensors laboratory at Yerevan Physics Institute (Armenia), which involved more than 25 scientists, engineers, technicians and students. The Laboratory’s biggest accomplishment was the development of  MultiFerm,  a flow-injection multipurpose amperometric biosensor system capable of quantization of glucose, uric acid, L-lysine, alcohol and phenols. More than twenty of these analytical systems were produced and successfully utilized in the Republics of former Soviet Union for a variety of applications, including: clinical glucose detection, optimization of L-lysine production for biotechnology industry, and determination of alcohol concentration in wine and brandy. 

Dr. Simonian has authored over 70+ publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, several review articles, book chapters and patents. He has made numerous conference presentations and has given invited lectures at many industrial and academic meetings. His current research interests are primarily in the areas of electroanalytical and bioanalytical chemistry and surface chemistry. Presently most of his research involves the exploration of new concepts for the development of chemical sensors and biosensors, as well as novel microsensor fabrication technologies for incorporating biosensor elements into microelectronic and micro-optical devices. Currently he is also serving as a core member of Auburn University Detection and Food Safety Center.

 

Education

1993  Doctor of Science (Bioengineering).  Dissertation topic: “Flow-injection biosensors based on immobilized enzymes and cells”, Moscow Institute of

Applied Biochemistry, Moscow, Russia.

1973  Ph.D. (Molecular Biophysics) Dissertation topic: “Ionophore as an Electric Shunt in the Muscle Fiber Membrane”, USSR Academy of Science, Yerevan, Armenia,

(USSR at that time).

1969  Master of Science (Physics)  Thesis topic: “Electrochemistry of membranes”, Physics Department of Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia,

(USSR at that time).

 

Positions Held

 

2007 - current Professor, Tenured Faculty Auburn University, Materials Research & Education Center, Sam Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn, Alabama.

2003–2007      Associate Professor, Auburn University, Materials Research & Education Center, Sam Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn, Alabama.

1994-2002       Visiting Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, and Chemical Engineering Department, College Station, TX.

1998                Visiting Research Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle.

1993-1994       Senior Consultant, University of Genoa/ Technobiochip Inc., Sicily, Italy.

1988-1994       Head of Biosensors Laboratory, Yerevan Physics Institute, Yerevan, Armenia.

1979-1988       Senior Research Scientist, Laboratory of Biosensors, Yerevan Physics Institute, Yerevan, Armenia.

1968-1979       Research Scientist, Biophysics Laboratory, Yerevan Physics Institute, Yerevan, Armenia.

 

Awards

·         Auburn University Engineering Outstanding Research Faculty 2008

·         Auburn University Materials Engineering Outstanding Faculty 2006

·         USSR National Scientific-Technical Society Award “For the Best Medical Device in 1991”

·         USSR Ministry Council Award, 1990

·         Yerevan State University Award for best Mentor in Modern Bioengineering, 1989

·         Armenian National Academy Award for Best Research Projects, 1982, 1988

·         Yerevan Physics Institute  Outstanding Young Scientist  Award, 1973

·         Yerevan State University  physics Department Award, 1968

MEMBERSHIP

  • The American Chemical Society

  • The Electrochemical Society

  • International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)

  • Member-Correspondent of Armenian Academy of Engineers (Elected in 1994)

  • Armenian Biophysical Association, the Member of the Presidium (Elected in 2004)

  • Sigma Xi

Curriculum Vitae