Marya Ahmed, University of Prince Edward Island

Research

gene delivery polymer synthesis living radical polymerization biocompatible vitamin functionalized nano-carriers antibacterial drug delivery stimuli responsive

Latest papers

Peptide-mediated immunomodulation of tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer: A comprehensive review.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics · 2026 · senior author
Intrinsically Fluorescent Nano-Scaled Peptide Aggregates Upon Arginine to Citrulline Swap.
Biotechnology and bioengineering · 2026 · senior author
Cell penetrating peptide-functionalized small interfering RNA nanoparticles knock down HER expression in breast cancer cells.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics · 2025 · senior author

All 32 publications

Latest funding

Development of Transformative Precision Agriculture Technologies to Ensure Food Security and Mitigate Climate Change: A State-of-the-art Approach to Promote Sustainable Agriculture
NSERC · 2023 · Co-investigator
$1,797,360
Nanofreeze Solutions for Organoids and Genetic Material Storage
NSERC · 2023 · Principal investigator
$125,000
Hydrophilic Nano patterned Surfaces for Macrophage Polarization and Drug Delivery
NSERC · 2022 · Principal investigator
$25,000

All 10 grants and awards

32 publications.

01

Peptide-mediated immunomodulation of tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer: A comprehensive review.

Bhayo AM, Marcato P, Ahmed M

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpet.2026.104324 PMID: 42019163

02

Intrinsically Fluorescent Nano-Scaled Peptide Aggregates Upon Arginine to Citrulline Swap.

Nazeer N, Ghimire A, Rainey JK, Lubell WD, Wagner BD, Ahmed M

Biotechnology and bioengineering2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/bit.70073 PMID: 41020377

03

Cell penetrating peptide-functionalized small interfering RNA nanoparticles knock down HER expression in breast cancer cells.

Dissanayake R, Mishra VK, Ahmed M

The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpet.2025.103697 PMID: 41478672

04

Peptide-Functionalized Nanopillared Surfaces with Tunable Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Properties.

Jahan S, Bhayo AM, Uchida H, Ikeda R, Combita D, Nazeer N, Kotsuchibashi Y, Ahmed M

ACS omega2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c09250 PMID: 41322536

05

Self-Assembled Peptide Nanoparticle-Mediated Macrophage Polarization Enhances Anticancer Efficacy of Chemotherapeutics in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Bhayo AM, Jahan S, Nazeer N, Sultonova M, Paulo JA, Murphy JP, Ahmed M

ACS applied bio materials2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.5c01243 PMID: 40839440

06

Antifouling Polymer-Coated Anthocyanin-Loaded Cellulose Nanocrystals Demonstrate Reduced Bacterial Detection Capabilities.

Doyle C, Combita D, Dunlop MJ, Ahmed M

Polymers2025Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/polym17152007 PMID: 40808055

07

PCFT-Independent Cellular Uptake of Cyclic Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Conjugated Folic Acid.

Mishra VK, Towner R, Rodriguez-Lecompte JC, Ahmed M

Chembiochem : a European journal of chemical biology2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202500242 PMID: 40360429

08

Antifouling Coatings Inspired by Biological Templates.

Doyle C, Ahmed M

Macromolecular rapid communications2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400932 PMID: 40029978

09

Controlled self-assembly of macrocyclic peptide into multifunctional photoluminescent nanoparticles.

Dissanayake R, Nazeer N, Zarei Z, Bhayo AM, Ahmed M

Journal of pharmaceutical sciences2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.11.006 PMID: 39551234

10

Nanoparticles mediated folic acid enrichment.

Mishra VK, Rodriguez-Lecompte JC, Ahmed M

Food chemistry2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139964 PMID: 38876059

Development of Transformative Precision Agriculture Technologies to Ensure Food Security and Mitigate Climate Change: A State-of-the-art Approach to Promote Sustainable Agriculture

Co-investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Farooque, Aitazaz Ahsan AA

Keywords: artificial intelligence; bio-circular economy; climate change mitigation; food security and sustainability; life cycle analysis; machine learning; precision agriculture; profitability mapping; soil health; sustainable water management

$1,797,360

Nanofreeze Solutions for Organoids and Genetic Material Storage

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Idea to Innovation

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya M

Keywords: biocompatible; Cell storage; cryopreservation; DMSO free; genetic material storage; nanogels; non toxic; tissue storage

$125,000

Hydrophilic Nano patterned Surfaces for Macrophage Polarization and Drug Delivery

Principal investigatorNSERC2022Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya M

$25,000

Hydrogel constructs to improve the stability of biologics in industrial applications

Principal investigatorNSERC2022Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya M

Keywords: hydrogels; nucleic acid stabilization; protein denaturation; protein refolding; protein stabilization

$162,500

Folate carrying peptides to improve innate immunity of laying hens

Principal investigatorNSERC2021Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya M

$67,450

LabAnywhere: Technology for Detection of Coronavirus in Remote Settings

Co-investigatorCIHR2020Operating Grant: COVID-19 - Diagnostics

Principal investigators: Whelan, William M; Trivett, Andrew D

Keywords: Coronavirus; Diagnostics; Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification; Pathogen Detection; Point Of Care Technology

$355,982

Antibacterial Peptide Scaffolds for Treatment of Mastitis

Principal investigatorSSHRC2019New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya

$273,175

Advanced Polymers and Nanocarriers for Nanomedicine

Principal investigatorNSERC2018Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya

Keywords: gene delivery; polymer synthesis; living radical polymerization; biocompatible; vitamin functionalized nano-carriers; antibacterial; drug delivery; stimuli responsive; anticancer; in vitro studies

$196,000

Peptide Crosslinked Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles for drug depot formulations

Principal investigatorNSERC2018Engage Grants Program

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya

$25,000

Advanced Polymers and Nanocarriers for Nanomedicine

Principal investigatorNSERC2018Discovery Launch Supplement

Principal investigators: Ahmed, Marya

$12,500

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Chemical and Materials Engineering
Chemical and Biological Engineering
School of Sustainable Design Engineering
Engineering
Pathology
Physics
Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering

Co-authors at University of Prince Edward Island, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Bishnu Acharya

Chemical and Biological Engineering

3 shared papers, latest 2020

William Whelan

Physics

1 shared papers, latest 2024

Ali Ahmadi

School of Sustainable Design Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2020

Paola Marcato

Pathology

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Deniz Meneksedag Erol

Chemical and Materials Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2024

Yulin Hu

Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2024

Amy Hsiao

Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2024

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2023

Subject: Prospective PhD student: gene delivery Dear Professor Ahmed, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Peptide-mediated immunomodulation of tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer: A comprehensive review." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Nanofreeze Solutions for Organoids and Genetic Material Storage" (2023), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]