Tarek El Sayed, Ph.D
Inorganic and radiopharmaceutical chemist with Ph.D. research focused on ligand design for metal-based imaging agents
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About
Inorganic and radiopharmaceutical chemist with Ph.D. research focused on ligand design for metal-based imaging agents, including Cu-based PET radiopharmaceuticals and Mn²+ MRI contrast agents.
Experience spanning chelator design, radiochemical evaluation, analytical chemistry, preclinical studies, and pharmaceutical R&D.; Research includes Cu(II) chelation for radiochemical applications and theranostic chelators for Pb, Bi, and Ac radionuclides.
Experience
Research Assistant - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Champaign, IL
(2021-01 - 2026-01)
Working under Prof. Liviu M. Mirica on ligand design for metal-based imaging agents.
- Designed and synthesized chelators and precursors for prospective PET/MR Mn2+ imaging agents, followed by chromatographic purification and characterization.
- Developed and evaluated Cu-based PET radiopharmaceutical candidates using radiochemical techniques, including apparent molar activity (AMA) and kinetic inertness assays.
- Led in vitro evaluation of imaging agents through relaxivity measurements, 17O NMR spectroscopy, and protein affinity assays.
- Managed preclinical studies in mice, including intravenous administration by tail-vein and retroorbital routes, to establish proof of concept for imaging agents.
- Maintained detailed experimental records and communicated research progress in bi-weekly research meetings.
Research Assistant - University of British Columbia - Vancouver, Canada
(2020-01 - 2021-01)
Worked under Prof. Chris Orvig on chelator synthesis and computational chemistry.
- Conducted multi-step synthesis of picolinic-acid-containing chelators for theranostic radiopharmaceutical applications.
- Purified reaction intermediates by flash chromatography and characterized products using 1H, 13C{1H}, and 2D NMR spectroscopy.
- Investigated metal-complex isomers using density functional theory (DFT) to understand factors influencing complex stability.
Co-op Student - Bayer AG
(2018-01 - 2018-12)
Worked in MR & CT Contrast Media R&D under Dr. Thomas Frenzel on analytical method development and synthesis of contrast agents.
- Developed analytical methods, including ICP-MS-based semi-quantification, for metal content and organic components relevant to radiology.
- Synthesized Gd complexes through multi-step routes and purified products using UPLC-MS, column chromatography, and TLC.
- Developed LC-MS separation methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of metal-based MRI contrast media.
- Conducted tolerability and toxicity assessments of liver-specific contrast media under development for the MRI market.
- Maintained laboratory records and prioritized projects based on value and impact.
Education
PhD - Inorganic Chemistry - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2021-01 - 2026-01)
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry - University of British Columbia (2015-01 - 2020-01)
