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Rafik Naccache

Post-Doc Fellow

Rafik Naccache (B.Sc. ‘00, M.Sc. ‘07, Ph.D. ‘12) received his M.Sc. degree in Chemistry in 2007 from Concordia University (Montreal), where he also obtained his Ph.D. for a thesis entitled “Colloidal Upconverting Nanoparticle Systems for Integration in Targeting, Therapeutics and Imaging Applications” with a rank of “Outstanding” in both oral and written components. His Ph.D. work focused on the synthesis of lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles with the goal of tailoring and fine-tuning nanoparticle size and physico-chemical properties towards biological applications. During his Ph.D., he investigated novel surface functionalization strategies that allowed for the preparation of multimodal nanoparticles for cancer targeting and therapeutics, as well as multimodal imaging, namely optical and magnetic resonance imaging. His work was highlighted in the May 2010 issue of the magazine ‘Decouvrir’. Dr. Naccache is the recipient of several awards including a university entrance scholarship (1996), NSERC undergraduate industrial research grants through the co-op program (1997, 1998) and an FCAR graduate scholarship (2001). In 2010, he was awarded the Alexander Graham Bell NSERC and FQRNT (declined) graduate scholarships to carry out his Ph.D. studies. In 2012, he was the recipient of both NSERC and FQRNT (declined) PDF awards. In addition, in the fall of 2012, Dr. Naccache was awarded the Governor General Gold Medal for his research contributions during his Ph.D. Studies. Since September of 2012, he has joined Professor Roberto Morandotti’s group at INRS-EMT to carry out his postdoctoral work with a focus on Terahertz imaging applications particularly in the area of skin cancer.

Dr. Naccache is the author/co-author of over 22 publications including two invited articles, a review paper and a book chapter. He has published in several prestigious scientific journals such as the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Materials and Advanced Functional Materials. Currently, he is a reviewer for several prestigious international publications. Moreover, he is a co inventor of two pharmaceutical patents owing to his 10 year industrial experience as a research chemist at Merck Frosst Canada, Ltd. from 1998-2008 (full time position).

  1. Naccache, R., Capobianco, J. A. (2012) Controlled Size, Phase and Morphology of Colloidal Upconverting Fluoride Nanoparticles: Towards Nanoparticle Tailoring, Chemistry of Materials, manuscript in preparation (Ph.D. work).
  2. Naccache, R., Chevallier, P, Lagueux, J., Faucher, L., Gossuin, Y., Laurent, S., vander Elst, L., Chilian, C., Capobianco, J. A. and Fortin, M. A. (2012) High relaxivities and strong vascular signal enhancement for NaGdF4 nanoparticles designed for dual MR/optical imaging, Advanced Healthcare Materials, submitted (Ph.D. work).
  3. Naccache, R., Rodríguez, E. M., Bogdan, N, Sanz-Rodríguez, F., Iglesias de la Cruz, M. C., Juarranz de la Fuente, A., Vetrone, F., Jaque, D., Solé, J. G., Capobianco, J. A. (2012) High Resolution Fluorescence Imaging of Cancer Using Lanthanide Ion-Doped Nanocrystals, Cancers, 4: 1067-1105 (Ph.D. work/other, Invited Article).
  4. Teng, X, Zhu, Y. H., Wei, W., Wang, S. C., Huang, J. F., Naccache, R., Hu, W. B., Tok, A. I. Y. , Han, Y. , Zhang, Q. C., Fan, Q. L., Huang, W., Capobianco, J. A. and Huang, L. (2012) Lanthanide-Doped NaxScF3+x Nanocrystals: Crystal Structure Evolution and Multicolor Tuning, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 112: 8340-8343 (Other, Cited 4 times).
  5. Mahalingam, V., Naccache, R., Vetrone, F. and Capobianco, J. A. (2011) Enhancing upconverted white light in Tm3+/Yb3+/ Ho3+-doped GdVO4 nanocrystals via incorporation of Li+ ions, Optics Express, 20: 111-119 (Other, Cited 5 times).
  6. Wong, H.-T., Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Lai Wa Chan, H., Hao J. and Capobianco, J. A. (2011) Water Dispersible Ultra-Small Multifunctional KGdF4:Tm3+, Yb3+ Nanoparticles with Near-Infrared to Near-Infrared Upconversion, Journal of Materials Chemistry, 21: 16589-16596 (Ph. D. work/other, Cited 15 times).
  7. Passuello T., Piccinelli F., Pedroni M., Bettinelli M., Mangiarini F., Naccache R., Vetrone F., Capobianco J.A., Speghini A. (2011) White light upconversion of nanocrystalline Er/Tm/Yb doped tetragonal Gd4O3F6, Optical Materials, 33: 643-646 (Other, Cited 13 times).
  8. Mahalingam, V., Naccache, R., Vetrone F. and Capobianco, J. A. (2011) Preferential Suppression of High-Energy Upconverted Emissions of Tm3+ by Dy3+ ions in Tm3+/Dy3+/Yb3+-Doped LiYF4 Colloidal Nanocrystals, Chemical Communications, 47: 3481-3483 (Other, Cited 9 times).
  9. Martinez Maestro, L., Martín Rodriguez, E., Sanz Rodríguez, F., Iglesias-de la Cruz, M. C., Juarranz, A., Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., Jaque, D., Capobianco J. A. and García Solé, J. (2010) CdSe Quantum Dots for Two-Photon Fluorescence Thermal Imaging, Nano Letters, 10: 5109-5115 (Other, Cited 24 times).
  10. Martinez Maestro, L., Martín Rodriguez, E., Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Loro Ramirez, H., Jaque, D., Capobianco J. A. and García Solé, J. (2010) Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Multiphoton Fluorescence Bioimaging, Optics Express, 18: 23544-23553 (Other, Cited 19 times).
  11. Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Zamarrón, A., Juarranz de la Fuente, A., Sanz-Rodríguez, F., Martinez Maestro, L., Martin Rodriguez, E., Jaque, D., García Solé, J. and Capobianco J. A. (2010) Temperature Sensing at the Nanoscale using Fluorescent Nanothermometers, ACS Nano, 4: 3254-3258 (Ph.D. work/other, Cited 71 times).
  12. Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Juarranz de la Fuente, A., Sanz-Rodríguez, F., Blazquez-Castro, A., Martin Rodriguez, E., Jaque, D., García Solé, J. and Capobianco, J. A. (2010) Intracellular Imaging of HeLa Cells by Non-Functionalized NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ Upconverting Nanoparticles, Nanoscale, 2: 495-498 (Ph.D. work/other, Cited 35 times).
  13. Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Mahalingam, V., Morgan, C. G. and Capobianco, J. A. (2010) Luminescence Resonance Energy Transfer from an Upconverting Nanoparticle to a Fluorescent Phycobiliprotein, Nanoscale, 2: 1185-1189 – (Ph.D. work/other, Invited Article, Cited 6 times).
  14. Mangiarini, F., Naccache, R., Speghini, A., Bettinelli, M., Vetrone F., and Capobianco, J. A. (2010) Upconversion in Er3+-Doped Gd2O3 Nanocrystals Prepared By Propellant Synthesis and Flame Spray Pyrolysis, Materials Research Bulletin, 45: 927-932 (Other, Cited 2 times).
  15. Mahalingam, V., Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., and Capobianco, J. A. (2009) Sensitized Ce3+ and Gd3+ Ultraviolet Emissions via Tm3+ in Colloidal LiYF4 Nanocrystals, Chemistry – A European Journal 15:9660-9663 (Other, Cited 12 times).
  16. Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Mahalingam, V., Morgan, C. G., and Capobianco, J. A. (2009) The Active-Core/Active-Shell Approach: A Strategy to Enhance the Upconversion Luminescence in Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles, Advanced Functional Materials. 19: 2924-2929 (Ph.D. work/other, Cover Article, cited 83 times).
  17. Mahalingam, V., Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Speghini, A., and Capobianco, J. A. (2009) Colloidal Tm3+/Yb3+-Doped LiYF4 Nanocrystals: Multiple Luminescence Spanning the UV to NIR Regions via Low Energy Excitation, Advanced Materials. 21: 4025-4028 (Other, Cover Article, Cited 80 times).
  18. Mahalingam, V., Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Speghini, A., and Capobianco, J. A. (2009) Structural and optical investigation of colloidal Ln3+/Yb3+ co-doped KY3F10 nanocrystals, Journal of Material Chemistry. 19: 3149-3152 (Ph. D. work/other, Cover Article, Cited 21 times).
  19. Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., Mahalingam, V., Cuccia, L. A., and Capobianco, J. A. (2009) Controlled synthesis and water dispersibility of hexagonal phase NaGdF4:Ho3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles, Chemistry of Materials. 21: 717-723 (Ph.D. work, Cited 96 times).
  20. Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A., and Bettinelli, M. (2008) Cross-relaxation and upconversion processes in Pr3+ singly doped and Pr3+/Yb3+ codoped nanocrystalline Gd3Ga5O12: the sensitizer/activator relationship, Journal of Physical Chemistry C. 112: 7750-7756 1031 (M.Sc. work, Cited 21 times).
  21. Pandozzi, F., Vetrone, F., Boyer, J. C., Naccache, R., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A. and Bettinelli, M. (2005) A spectroscopic analysis of blue and ultraviolet upconverted emissions from Gd3Ga5O12 : Tm3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 109: 17400-17405 (Other, Cited 73 times)
  22. Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., Boyer, J. C., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A., and Bettinelli, M. (2004) Visible upconversion emission of Pr3+ doped gadolinium gallium garnet nanocrystals, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 4: 1025-1031 (M.Sc. work, Cited 12 times).
  23. Naccache R., Vetrone, F., Boyer, J. C., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A. Bettinelli, M., and Righini, G. C. (2004) Upconversion luminescence of a calcium sodium aluminosilicate glass doped with erbium, Materials Letters. 58: 2207-2212 (Undergraduate work, Cited 6 times).
  24. Vetrone, F., Naccache, R., Boyer, J. C., Capobianco, J. A., Polizzi, S., Bucella, S., and Speghini, A. (2004) Nanostructured lanthanide-doped Lu2O3 obtained by propellant synthesis, Chemistry of Materials 16: 1330-1335 (other, Cited 33 times).
  25. Naccache R., Vetrone, F., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A., and Bettinelli, M. (2002) A study of the energy transfer self-absorption of an Er3+ doped silicate glass, Trends in Optics and Photonics 68(Advanced Solid-State Lasers): 307-309 (undergraduate work).
  1. Iglesias de la Cruz, M. C.*, Johnston, A., Martínez Maestro, L., Naccache, R., Martín Rodriguez, E., Bogdan, N., Sanz Rodriguez, F., Juarranz de la Fuente, A., Vetrone, F., Jaque, D., Capobianco J. A. and García Solé, J. (2011) Fluorescent Imaging of Cancer Cells by Multiphoton Excited Up-Converting Nanoparticles, International Conference on Luminescence (ICL 2011), Ann Arbour, MI (International) (Oral).
  2. Wong, H. T.*, Naccache, R., Chan, H. L. W., Vetrone, F., Hao J. H. and Capobianco, J. A. (2011) Upconverting Lanthanide Nanoparticles for Biological Applications: Relationship Between Phase, Size, and Luminescence Intensity, International Conference on Luminescence (ICL 2011), Ann Arbour, MI (International) (Oral).
  3. Martín Rodriguez, E.*, Naccache, R., Capobianco, J. A. and Vetrone, F. (2011) Upconverting Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles as Multi-Functional Bioprobes, 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Montréal, QC (International) (Oral).
  4. Naccache, R.*, Vetrone, F. and Capobianco, J. A. (2011) Synthesis and Surface Functionalization of Lanthanide-Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles for Use in Targeting and Therapeutics, 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Montréal, QC (International) (Oral).
  5. Naccache, R., Martinez Maestro, L., Martín Rodriguez, E., Jaque, D., García Solé, J., Capobianco J. A. and Vetrone, F.* (2011) Lanthanide-Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications in Biology, ImagineNano, 2011, Bilbao, Spain (International) (Oral).
  6. Vetrone, F.*, Naccache, R. and Capobianco, J. A. (2010) Development of Novel Upconverting Nanoparticles: Strategies for their Implementation in Biology and Medicine, Nanoparticles and Nanoparticle-based Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application, PACIFICHEM 2010, Honolulu, HI (International) (Oral).
  7. Vetrone, F.*, Naccache, R., Zamarrón, A., Juarranz de la Fuente, A., Sanz-Rodríguez, F., Martinez Maestro, L., Martín Rodriguez, E., Jaque, García Solé, J. and Capobianco, J. A. (2010) Development of Novel Upconversion Nanoparticles and Strategies for their Implementation in Biology and Medicine, 17th International Conference on Dynamical Processes in Excited States of Solids (DPC ’10), Argonne, IL (International) (Oral).
  8. Clas, S.-D.*, Naccache, R., Dalton, C. (2007) Raman Spectroscopy: A Powerful Tool in Preformulation, Federation Of Analytical Chemistry And Spectroscopy Societies 34th Meeting (FACSS), Memphis, TN (International) (Oral).
  9. Clas, S.-D. *, Naccache, R., Khougaz, K., Dalton, C., Yu, H., Maxwell, K., Kwong, E., Thibert, R. (2005) “The Importance of Materials Science in Early Development.” Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toronto (Oral).
  10. Clas, S.-D.*, Dalton, C., Naccache, R., Khougaz, K., Yu, H., Antonecchia, A., Maxwell, K., Kwong, E., Thibert, R. (2004) “The Importance of Characterizing the Crystal Form of the Drug Substance During Drug Development”, GTCBio, San Diego, CA (Oral).
  11. Clas, S.-D.*, Dalton, C., Naccache, R., Khougaz, K., Yu, H., Singh, J., Antonecchia, A. (2004) “A Recent Case Study of Polymorphic Drug System”, 35th Course: Diversity Amidst Similarity: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Polymorphs, Solvates and Phase Relationships, International School of Crystallography – a NATO ASI and EuroSummerSchool, DG XII, EC, Bruxelles, Erice, Italy (Oral).
  12. Clas, S.-D.*, Naccache, R., Antonecchia, A., Bazin, C., Maxwell, K. (2004) “Salt Dissociation: Impact on Formulation Development” 5th International Symposium on Polymorphism & Crystallization, New Orleans, USA (Oral).
  13. Pandozzi, F., Naccache, R., Boyer, J. C., Vetrone, F., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A.*, Bettinelli, M. (2004) “NIR-to-Blue Upconversion in Gd3Ga5O12:Tm3+, Yb3+ Nanocrystals”, 2nd National Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: The Molecular Approach, Bologna, Italy (Oral).
  14. Naccache, R., Vetrone, F., Boyer, J. C., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini*, A., Bettinelli, M. (2003) “Visible Upconversion of Pr3+ Doped Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) Nanoparticles.” Syntheses and Methodologies in Inorganic Chemistry – Trends in Nanoscience (SAMIC), Bressanone, Italy (Oral).
  15. Naccache, R.*, Vetrone, F., Boyer, J. C., Capobianco, J. A., Speghini, A., Bettinelli, M. (2003) “Optical Properties of Praseodymium Doped Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) Nanocrystals.” The 6th Annual Concordia Annual Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Research Conference, Montréal, QC (Poster).
  16. Clas, S.-D.*, Dalton, C., Naccache, R., Khougaz, K., Yu, H., Antonecchia, A., Maxwell, K., Kwong, E., Thibert, R. (2004) “The Importance of Characterizing the Crystal Form of the Drug Substance During Drug Development, Invited Lecturer, GTCBio, San Diego, CA (Oral).
  17. Clas, S.-D.*, Dalton, C., Crocker, L., Naccache, R., Khougaz, K., Mourani, R., Singh, J., Lackmann, R., Antonecchia, A., Winters, C. (2003) “The Importance of Characterisation of Crystal Forms During Drug Development”, Scientific Updates, Chester, UK (Oral).
  18. Clas, S.-D.*, Naccache, R., Maxwell, K. Bazin, C. (2002) “Evaluation of the Parameters Affecting Disproportionation of a Salt.” Third International Workshop on the Physical Characterization of Pharmaceutical Solids, Thame, Oxfordshire (Oral).
  19. Naccache, R.*, Capobianco, J. A., Vetrone, F., Bettinelli, M., Speghini, A. (2002) “Energy Transfer Self-Absorption and Upconversion in a Silicate Glass” 4th Annual Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Research Conference, Montréal (Poster, Best Poster Award)).
  20. Naccache, R.*, Capobianco, J. A., Vetrone, F., Bettinelli, M., Speghini, A., Righini, G. C. (2001) “A Study of the Energy Transfer Self-Absorption of an Er3+ doped Silicate Glass.” Advanced Solid-State Lasers, Québec City, QC (Poster).
  21. Naccache, R.*, Capobianco, J. A., Vetrone, F., Bettinelli, M., Speghini, A., Righini, G. C. (2001) “The effect of Lead Oxide on the Optical Spectroscopy of Pr3+ doped glasses” 35th Annual IDW Conference, Montréal (Poster, Best Poster Award).
  22. Khougaz, K.*, Kwong, E., Ma, M., Naccache, R., Clas, S.-D. (2000) “Salt selection for a PDEIV candidate”, 2nd International Early Development Meeting, Pine Crest Country Club, PA (Oral).

(* denotes conference presenter)