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People
Dr. Kevin De France joined Queen’s University as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering in May 2022. He was named to the 2024 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40, and is the recipient of the 2024 Queen’s University Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award for his efforts in encouraging and mentoring undergraduate scholars. His research focuses on the design of sustainable materials using building blocks from cellulose and proteins.
Prior to his appointment at Queen’s, Kevin was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in The Cellulose & Wood Materials Lab at Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, where he focused on understanding structure-function relationships in bio-based nanomaterials, and translation toward commercialization. This included the design of sprayable food-packaging from cellulose nanofibers, emulsion stabilized fungal propagules for biological control, and composite films from cellulose nanocrystals and protein fibers. Kevin earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University (2019), under the supervision of Dr. Todd Hoare and Dr. Emily Cranston, where his research focused on the design of cellulose nanocrystal hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. He was awarded the TAPPI Nano Division Student Award in 2019 to recognize his research contributions and service to the TAPPI Nano Division as a PhD student.
Dr. Kevin De France
Assistant Professor, Queen’s University
Dr. Kevin De France
Assistant Professor, Queen’s University
Dr. Kevin De France joined Queen’s University as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering in May 2022. He was named to the 2024 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40, and is the recipient of the 2024 Queen’s University Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award for his efforts in encouraging and mentoring undergraduate scholars. His research focuses on the design of sustainable materials using building blocks from cellulose and proteins.
Prior to his appointment at Queen’s, Kevin was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in The Cellulose & Wood Materials Lab at Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, where he focused on understanding structure-function relationships in bio-based nanomaterials, and translation toward commercialization. This included the design of sprayable food-packaging from cellulose nanofibers, emulsion stabilized fungal propagules for biological control, and composite films from cellulose nanocrystals and protein fibers. Kevin earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University (2019), under the supervision of Dr. Todd Hoare and Dr. Emily Cranston, where his research focused on the design of cellulose nanocrystal hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. He was awarded the TAPPI Nano Division Student Award in 2019 to recognize his research contributions and service to the TAPPI Nano Division as a PhD student.
Research Staff and Postdoctoral Fellows
Lenka Vitkova
Postdoctoral Fellow (co-supervised with Dr. Amsden)
Project: Electrospinning crosslinkable protein nanofibers for muscle tissue engineering
Lenka is a postdoctoral fellow in the De France Lab at Queen’s University. A proud alumna of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic, she got her Ph.D. at the Department of Physics and Materials Engineering. Her research dives into the world of biopolymers, focusing on advanced scaffold processing for cell cultivation. Her work on the electrospinning of hyaluronan has been recognized with the Head of the Department of Physics and Materials Engineering Award. She gained international experience at the University of Luxembourg and the Bayreuth University. At Queen’s, Lenka will explore self-assembled protein amyloids as materials for electrospinning of aligned fibrous scaffolds, aiming to guide muscle cell growth and differentiation. When she’s not immersed in research, Lenka enjoys climbing, reading and absurd hypothetical questions.
Arvinder Pannu
Research Project Coordinator
Project: Meal2Materials.ca
Arvinder Pannu (He/Him) is a Project Manager for the Meal2Materials initiative (funded by NSERC) in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University, where he is helping transform canola biomass into innovative commercial inputs. He also serves as an ad-hoc Data, Policy, and Research Analyst at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, shaping policies that drive sustainable growth in Canada’s agri-food sector. Arvinder’s cross-functional leadership includes spearheading circular-economy loans for Guelph’s first-of-its-kind food system pilot, managing national Food Day Canada campaigns, and guiding critical cybersecurity and data discussions at federal forums. Fluent in English and French, he thrives on collaboration, building bridges among academia, industry, and grassroots movements, and—when not crunching data or organizing stakeholder summits—champions sustainable innovations that empower communities to think bigger, move faster, and create lasting impact.
Mostafa Rammal
Postdoctoral Fellow
Project: Developing dry-film antimicrobial coatings from cellulose nanocrystals
Mostafa is a Mitacs postdoctoral fellow in the De France lab. Originally from Lebanon, he obtained his PhD in Materials Chemistry at McGill University under the supervision of Prof. Matthew Harrington. During his PhD, his research focused on elucidating structure-function relationships in mussel-inspired materials and adapting biogenic design principles to develop advanced biopolymeric soft materials. At Queen’s, his research focuses on developing dry-film antimicrobial coatings from cellulose nanocrystals, in collaboration with Oligomaster Inc. In his free time, you can find him playing table tennis, trying new recipes, hunting for new cafes, or lifting weights at the gym.
Joshua Buzolic
Postdoctoral Fellow (co-supervised with Dr. Rachel Baker)
Project: Electrochemical effects on natural materials as alternative electrodes
Joshua is a Vice-Principal Research postdoctoral fellow in the De France Lab at Queen’s University. He completed his PhD in Surface Chemistry and Materials Science at The University of Western Australia under the supervision of Prof. Rob Atkin. Joshua’s PhD thesis explored interfacial phenomena using advanced microscopy, rheology, and electrochemical techniques, with a focus on understanding nanoscale structure and dynamics in complex fluids and materials. During his studies, Joshua published in several high-impact journals, presented at international conferences, and earned multiple awards for his research. At Queen’s University, Joshua will investigate how electrochemical environments influence the stability and integrity of natural materials as sustainable electrode alternatives for electrochemical CO2 conversion. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing hockey and tennis, watching Australian rules football and cricket, and is passionate about music.
Graduate Students
Nasim Fadaie
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Xin, Civil Engineering)
Project: Sustainable materials for the treatment of pharmaceutical contaminants
Nasim is a first-year doctoral student who holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST). Her academic expertise centers on Membrane Technology for water/wastewater treatment applications. She has previously worked on innovative thin-film composite membranes for forward osmosis processes. At Queen’s University, her research will be focused on developing bio-based nanofibril materials for both water treatment and biomedical applications. Outside of the lab, she is a fitness trainer and enjoys spending her free time in the gym.
Carolina Ordonez
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Cunningham and Dr. Champagne, NRC)
Project: Stimuli-responsive protein nanofiber emulsions for controlled delivery
Carolina is a Chemical engineer from Colombia and a second-year doctoral student with a background in bioprocess, corrosion, and polymers. She has prior experience in corrosion research for the Oil and Gas industry. Her first project focused on enhancing the properties of latex-based coatings using carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals. Currently, her research explores the development of oil-in-water emulsions with protein fibers designed to be stimuli-responsive for biomedical applications. Beyond academia, Carolina enjoys dancing, crafting, exercising, and traveling.
Romina Shirazi
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Koupaie)
Project: Sustainable materials in water treatment and anaerobic digestion
Romina is a second-year doctoral student, holding both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST). She has extensive experience in the design and development of nanofibrous membranes for water purification and other biotechnological applications. She is particularly passionate about creating high-performance, bio-based materials for use in wastewater treatment and medical technologies. Her PhD research focuses on the application of protein-based nanomaterials—specifically engineered protein nanofibers (PNFs) and modified extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)—to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. By improving microbial aggregation and electron transfer, her work aims to boost methane production and system stability in sustainable biological wastewater treatment processes. Beyond her academic pursuits, Romina is a fitness enthusiast, a passionate photographer and painter, and a professional volleyball player.
Mohamed Wahbi
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Kontopoulou)
Project: Sustainable routes to modify PLA for additive manufacturing
Mohamed is a fourth-year doctoral student who is interested in advancing sustainable materials for 3D printing. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. from Ibn Zohr University, followed by an M.Sc. from Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco. During his master’s studies, Mohamed participated in an Erasmus exchange program in Greece, where he spent a year dedicated to developing biobased polyesters for eco-friendly packaging. At Queen's, his research focuses on overcoming the limitations of PLA in 3D printing by developing fully bio-based PLA blends and composites. His main project currently involves the hydrophobic modification of CNCs to improve their compatibility with PLA and other polymer matrices.
Wen-Qiang Wang
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Xin, Civil Engineering)
Project: Advanced Photocatalytic and Air Nanobubble Systems for Cyanotoxin Mitigation in Drinking Water
Wen-Qiang is a civil engineering PhD student from China interested in developing advanced water treatment technologies to address pressing environmental challenges. With a diverse background in engineering project management, industrial R&D, and research at the intersection of AI and chemical engineering, he brings a unique perspective to his work. His research focuses on the removal of cyanotoxins from drinking water using photocatalysts combined with nanobubble technology. Outside of academia, Wen-Qiang is an award-winning photographer, an active 2V2 badminton player, and a fitness fan.
Yidan (Daniella) Wen
PhD student
Project: Protein nanofibers from canola meal
Yidan (Daniella) started her academic journey as a nanotechnology engineering undergraduate at the University of Waterloo. Her capstone project focused on developing a glucose sensor for diabetes, based on gold nanoparticles. During her co-op she conducted research on microfluidic devices for point of care applications. She is now pursuing a Master’s degree at Queen’s University in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and is excited to explore the potential of protein nanofibers in biomedical devices and sustainable biomaterials.
Shaoyan Wang
PhD student (co-supervised with Dr. Zechel, Chemistry)
Project: Engineering plastic packaging to make it auto-bio-degradable
Shaoyan is a doctoral student supervised by Dr. David Zechel and Dr. Kevin De France at Queen’s. He is the holder of a Bruce Mitchell Research Program (BMRP) fellowship. His research interests lie in the area of microbiology, enzymology and material chemistry.
Before joining Queen’s, he obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Saskatchewan where he was awarded the President’s Medal, the University Medal in Science, and the Dean’s Medal.
Viktorie Horáková
Visiting Master's Student
Project: Fabricating fibres composed of GO-g-PGMA hybrid particles and BSA protein
Viktorie is a first-year MSc student at Thomas Bata University in Zlín, Czech Republic. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the Institute of Polymer Engineering, where she received an award from the Director of the Institute for her thesis on the preparation of GO-g-PGMA hybrid particles and the optimization of reaction conditions to develop materials with tunable electrical conductivity. At Queen’s University, Viktorie’s research will focus on fabricating fibres composed of GO-g-PGMA hybrid particles and BSA protein. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, travelling, hiking, and being with friends and family.
Meera Mistry
MASc Student (Co-supervised by Dr. Laura Wells)
Project: Extracting cellulose from canola meal to create nanocellulose hydrogels
Meera is a passionate first‑year master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at Queen’s University. She began her studies at the University of Waterloo, where she completed an undergraduate degree in Medicinal Chemistry. In her fourth year, she completed a thesis in computational chemistry, modelling protein systems and running molecular dynamics simulations. Through successive co‑op placements, she gained broad industry experience. Her current research focuses on extracting cellulose from canola meal to produce nanocellulose hydrogels for ocular applications. Outside the lab, she enjoys hiking, painting, skating, and both watching and playing sports.
Ritik Puri
MASc Student (Co-supervised by Dr. Marianna Kontopoulou)
Project: Bioplastic Composites from Canola Nanocellulose
Ritik is a first-year MASc student dedicated to addressing the global plastic challenge by developing sustainable alternatives from biopolymers. His research focuses on converting cellulose and lignocellulosic materials into next-generation plastics—advancing the transition away from petroleum-based polymers while fostering innovation in the pulp and paper industry. He earned his B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Lakehead University (Thunder Bay), gaining diverse experience across laboratory, industrial, and teaching roles. Ritik has worked as a Lab Intern at Ecolab’s Toronto plant, an Operations Intern at Weyerhaeuser, and a chemistry tutor for college transfer students—building a strong foundation before beginning graduate studies. Beyond academics, Ritik enjoys cooking, volunteering at a temple, and staying active through gym training, running, hiking, and camping.
Undergraduate Students
Mia Donatucci
Summer Student
Project: Modifying cCNCs to produce emulsions that are more stable
Mia is a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Science undergraduate student specializing in biochemistry. Working under the guidance of Carolina Ordoñez (PhD candidate), Mia studies oil-in-water emulsions containing carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs). cCNCs are a sustainable alternative for surfactants, which are commonly used in everyday and pharmaceutical products. Mia’s work focuses on modifying cCNCs with the goal of producing emulsions that are more stable. This research directly aligns with her interests in product development and formulation science.
Kimberly Ramsay
Summer Student
Project: Developing self-assembled protein fibres, chemically modified for use as scaffolds to support muscle growth.
Kimberly is a 3rd year undergraduate currently pursuing her BSc in chemistry. Her research interests lie in green and materials chemistry as well as organic synthesis. Her project focuses on self-assembled protein amyloid fibres and their chemical modification in applications as fibrous scaffolds for muscle growth. Outside of the lab she enjoys hiking and cooking.
Cassandra Koitsopoulos
ENCH 417 Thesis
Project: Designing emulsions from protein nanofibers
Cassandra is an Engineering Chemistry undergraduate student with an interest in nanobiotechnology and sustainable material design. For her thesis, Cassandra will be working on designing and characterizing stable emulsions using bio-based protein nanofibers (PNFs), which are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional surfactants and can help promote a shift towards greener manufacturing practices in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Outside of the lab, Cassandra enjoys going to the gym, swimming, and photography.
Bronwyn Faulkner
CHEE 408 Thesis
Project: Fabrication of Protein–Chitosan Aerogels for Dye Removal from Water
Bronwyn is a fourth-year Chemical Engineering undergraduate student. Under the supervision of Romina Shirazi, she is developing protein–chitosan aerogels for water treatment. This project evaluates the pollutant adsorption capacity of these membranes, with the goal of creating sustainable materials for water purification applications.
Mariam El-Behiry
Project: Development of Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC)–Reinforced Hydrogels as Smart Wound Dressings
Mariam is a fourth-year Biochemical Engineering undergraduate thesis student with an interest in biomaterials and their applications in healthcare. Her thesis focuses on developing cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)–reinforced hydrogels as smart wound dressings. By examining how CNCs enhance mechanical stability, oxygen release, and pH-responsive drug delivery, her research addresses major challenges in chronic wound healing, including hypoxia and infection.
Outside the lab, Mariam enjoys reading, traveling, learning new languages, experimenting with new recipes, and practicing yoga.
Viktorie Hepová
Visiting
MASc Student
2025
Marwa Naime
MASc
Student
2024 - 2025
Spencer McCluskey
ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2024 - 2025
Sylvia Chamberlain
ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2024 - 2025
Cassandra Koitsopoulos
ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2024 - 2025
Helen Zhang
ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2024 - 2025
Ina Tachom
Undergraduate Volunteer
2023 - 2024
Gillian Szandtner
NSERC USRA Summer Researcher
2023 - 2024
Andre Guerra
Visiting
PhD Student
2023 - 2024
Brigitte Gaudert
USSRF Summer Researcher & BIOL 537 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Michaela Hammond
CHEE 408 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Nathalia Rosalle
NSERC USRA Summer Researcher & ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Victor Di Donato
CHEE 408 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Caroline Kupczyk
ENCH 417 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Sam Fahrngruber
CHEE 408 Thesis Student
2023 - 2024
Geneviève Norris-Roozmon
CHEE 408 Thesis Student
2022 - 2023
Maya Sahnouni
Visiting
Undergraduate Student
2025
Fatima Gil
Visiting
Undergraduate Student
2025
Lachlan Sandison
Undergraduate
Student
2025
Kimberly Ramsay
Undergraduate
Student
2025
Torrin Bigrigg
Undergraduate
Student
2025
James Czerkawski
Undergraduate
Student
2025
Viktorie Daňková
Visiting
PhD Student
2025
Alumni
Alumni
Marwa Naime
2024 - 2025
MASc (co-supervised with Dr. Kontopoulou and Dr. Gilbert)
Project: Protein nanofiber alignment and rheological behavior
Postdocs & Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
James Czerkawski
NSERC USRA
2025
Torrin Bigrigg
Meal2Materials
2025
Lachlan Sandison
NSERC USRA
2025
Spencer McCluskey
ENCH 417 Thesis
2024 - 2025
Sylvia Chamberlain
ENCH 417 Thesis
2024 - 2025
Helen Zhang
ENCH 417 Thesis
2024 - 2025
Ina Tachom
Volunteer
2023 - 2024
Gillian Szandtner
NSERC USRA
2023 - 2024
Michaela Hammond
CHEE 408 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Victor Di Donato
CHEE 408 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Nathalia Rosalle
NSERC USRA
ENCH 417 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Brigitte Gaudert
USSRF
BIOL 537 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Caroline Kupczyk
ENCH 417 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Sam Fahrngruber
CHEE 408 Thesis
2023 - 2024
Geneviève Norris-Roozmon
CHEE 408 Thesis
2022 - 2023
Visiting Researchers
Viktorie Daňková
PhD Student
2025
Viktorie Hepová
MASc Student
2025
Fatima Gil
Undergraduate Student
2025
Maya Sahnouni
Undergraduate Student
2025
Andre Guerra
PhD Student
2023 - 2024
Statement of Inclusion
The De France Lab and all of its members are committed to fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in our workplace, on the Queen’s campus, and the broader Kingston community. All HQP in the De France Lab are equally welcomed, valued, and respected, receiving personalized training in laboratory and professional skills. Resources and support centered around Enabling, Engaging, and Inclusion are provided to give HQP the capability and confidence to accomplish significant research objectives in the advancement of science and their own professional careers.
De France Lab People
Our lab work is all about collaboration, blending the fascinating fields of materials chemistry, engineering, and biotechnology. We strive to replace petroleum-based products with high-performance renewable materials, paving the way for a greener future! This rewarding journey involves our dedicated faculty, staff, and students, along with amazing advisors, facilitators, and change-makers from all around the world.
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