Gonzalo Cosa

Gonzalo Cosa
Born (1973-09-21) September 21, 1973 (age 51)
Córdoba, Argentina
Alma materUniversidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (Licenciate)
University of Ottawa (Ph.D.)
Known forFluorescence imaging, biophotonics, oxidative stress studies
AwardsCanada Research Chair in Fluorescence Imaging and Biophotonics (2024)
Bernard Belleau Award (2022)
Canadian Society for Chemistry Keith Laidler Award (2015)
Scientific career
FieldsChemistry, Biophotonics
InstitutionsMcGill University
Doctoral advisorJ. C. (Tito) Scaiano
WebsiteOfficial profile

Gonzalo Cosa is an Argentinian-Canadian chemist, professor, and researcher. He is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at McGill University[1] and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Fluorescence Imaging and Biophotonics.[2] His research focuses on developing advanced optical probes and imaging techniques to study chemical processes in living cells, with applications in diagnostics, biomedical research, and healthcare.

Education

Cosa earned his Licenciate in Chemistry in 1996 from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto in Argentina, where he received the Asociación Química Argentina Award. In 2002, he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Ottawa under the supervision of J. C. (Tito) Scaiano; his doctoral research was recognized with the Governor General's Gold Medal and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Award for the best Ph.D. thesis in the chemical sciences. He then pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin, working with Paul F. Barbara on single-molecule fluorescence studies.[3]

Career

In 2005, Cosa joined McGill University as an assistant professor, advancing to associate professor in 2011 and full professor in 2016.[4] His research integrates photonics, nanotechnology, and biochemistry to develop tools that enable real-time observation of cellular processes with high specificity and minimal damage to healthy tissues. His work includes:

  • Designing and synthesizing fluorescent molecular probes.[3]
  • Developing fluorescence microscopy methods for detailed visualization of chemical and biological processes.[3]
  • Investigating oxidative stress in cells and its implications for health and disease.[5]

As Canada Research Chair in Fluorescence Imaging and Biophotonics, Cosa's work focuses on developing optical probes activated by specific cellular signals, providing insights into oxidative stress and supporting targeted therapies. His research also explores imaging techniques for studying viral replication, with applications in biomaterials, biomedical research, and healthcare.[2]

Awards and Recognition

Cosa's contributions have been recognized with several awards, including:

  • Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Fluorescence Imaging and Biophotonics (2024)[2]

He has also served on editorial advisory boards for journals such as ChemPhotoChem and Langmuir[7] and as an associate editor for Photochemistry and Photobiology.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Department of Chemistry". McGill University. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  2. ^ a b c "Gonzalo Cosa: Canada Research Chair". Canada Research Chairs. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  3. ^ a b c "PhotoIUPAC 2024 - Committees". 29th PhotoIUPAC IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  4. ^ "PhotoIUPAC 2024 - Committees". 29th PhotoIUPAC IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  5. ^ Foret, Morgan K.; Do Carmo, Sonia; Lincoln, Richard; Greene, Lana E.; Zhang, Wenzhou; Cuello, A. Claudio; Cosa, Gonzalo (2019). "Effect of antioxidant supplements on lipid peroxidation levels in primary cortical neuron cultures". Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 130: 471–477. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.11.019. PMID 30465825.
  6. ^ "Bernard Belleau Award". Chemical Institute of Canada. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  7. ^ a b c d "Gonzalo Cosa". McGill University Department of Chemistry. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  8. ^ "Prof. Gonzalo Cosa: Keith Laidler Award Winner". McGill University. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  9. ^ "Cosa wins photobiology award". McGill Reporter. 23 September 2009. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  10. ^ "International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry". old.iupac.org. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  11. ^ "PhotoIUPAC 2024 - Committees". 29th PhotoIUPAC IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry. Retrieved 2024-12-02.