Faculty: Rosca, Elena V. (Ph.D.)

Senior Lecturer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Courses taught at Ashesi: Discrete Theory and Concepts, Applied Programing for Engineers, Materials Science & Chemistry, Statistics for Engineers, Instrumentation for Engineering, Differential Equations and Numerical Analysis

Teaching Statement

I am passionate about teaching and I am interested in how to challenge students to develop unique and novel solutions to problems. Using current challenges along with research and engineering principles as motivators I strive to inspire their curiosity and desire to approach even the most daunting problems. I believe that by challenging our students we bring out the best in them and build their confidence that they can be successful in anything they dream. Certainly, this can be overwhelming, but this is also a sign that they are about to embark on a journey. As a leading innovator in higher education said: “Being overwhelmed is the first step if you are really serious about trying to get at things that really matter on a scale that makes a difference. So, what do you do when you feel overwhelmed; you have two things: you have a mind and you have people. Start with those and change the world.”

Research Statement

My research interests lie in how to use principles of synthetic biology to solve some of the problems facing the African continent. Synthetic biology allows us to engineer organisms which can address problems such as plastic degradation, development of biosensors for different disease and applications, produce precursors for medicines such as malaria drugs and many others.

Previously I have worked on using biologically inspired concepts to optimize cancer therapies and diagnosis. Currently, I am particularly interested in how to optimize and implement such approaches and research in Africa, by developing cost effective, non-invasive and efficient therapies and biosensors.

In addition, using mathematical modelling coupled with biology, my group works on developing models which will give us insights on critical parameters and allows us to analyze complex situations to understand how fundamental principles underpin them. I am particularly fascinated by how to use the complexity and connectivity of the immune system in the context of cancer and other tropical diseases such as malaria to build a specific and personalized treatment.

Ongoing Projects

Genetically engineering of biosensor for gold detection in refractory ore
Machine learning in diagnosis of cervical cancer and malaria diagnosis
Prototype for national cancer database
Cost effective portable and wireless incubator for premature babies
Rational design of liposomes to activate an immune anti-tumor response.
Biobulb- electricity free lighting
Biosynthesis for development of sensors and environmental removal of toxic metals for soil remediation.
Probiotic Malaria treatment for children

Selected Publications

Caplan MR, Rosca EV. Targeting drugs to combinations of receptors: a modelling analysis of potential specificity. Ann Biomed Eng. 2005;33(8):1113-24.
Elena V. Rosca, Michael R. Caplan. Mathematical modeling of nanoparticle-cell interactions”. Book chapter in Nanoparticle in Bioengineering, Methods in Bioengineering series, Artech House, 2010
Rosca EV, Koskimaki JE, Pandey NB, Wolff AC, Popel AS. Development of a biomimetic peptide derived from collagen IV with anti-angiogenic activity in breast cancer. Cancer biology & therapy. 2011;12(9):808-17.
Rosca EV, Koskimaki JE, Pandey NB, Tamiz AP, Popel AS. Structure-activity relationship study of collagen-derived anti-angiogenic biomimetic peptides. Chemical biology & drug design. 2012;80(1):27-37.
Sturzenbaum SR, Hockner M, Panneerselvam A, Levitt J, Bouillard JS, Taniguchi S, Rosca EV, Biosynthesis of luminescent quantum dots in an earthworm. Nature nanotechnology. 2013;8(1):57-60
Rosca EV, Wright M, Gonitel R, Gedroyc W, Miller AD, Thanou M. Thermosensitive, near-infrared-labeled nanoparticles for topotecan delivery to tumors. Molecular pharmaceutics. 2015;12(5):1335-46.