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R. Scott Martin, Ph.D.

Professor
Department of Chemistry

Education

  • B.S. in Chemistry, Southwest Missouri State University, 1994
  • M.S. in Chemistry, Southwest Missouri State University, 1996
  • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, The University of Missouri - Columbia, 1999
  • NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Kansas, 1999-2002

Research Interests

Research in the Martin group has been focused on using 3D printed microchip technology to study cellular systems in a manner where an analysis scheme can be integrated to study the release of neurotransmitters in close to real time.  We feel that this approach will allow us to use in vitro models to study the processes that lead to disease onset by studying cell-to-cell interaction on a molecular level and in a quantitative fashion.  This research has led the group to publish many papers in this area including descriptions of advancements in microchip valving technology, the integration of electrochemical detection with microchip electrophoresis, the discovery of embedded electrodes in microchip devices for the sensitive and selective detection of nitric oxide (NO), and the development of new methods for immobilizing cells (endothelial and PC 12 cells) in microfluidic devices. In addition, the group has developed methods to quantitate the amount of ATP release directly from erythrocytes when they are mechanically deformed as well as methods of rapidly measuring intracellular glutathione concentrations. We continue to work at the forefront of this exciting area, with our recent emphasis being on developing more robust cell culture on-chip to enable cell-to-cell communication studies. Students in the group receive a broad base of training in analytical chemistry as well as biology and engineering.

Publications and Media Placements

Selected publications (from 84 publications at SLU):

Khamhbawihum Cenhrang, Cody W. Leasor, Waruna Thotamune, Ajith Karunarathne, Lane A. Baker, and R. Scott Martin, “3D Printed Transwell Microfluidic Devices for Epithelial Cell Culture with Shear Stress, ACS Measurement Science Au, 2025, 5, 547-558.

Samuel Azibere, Michael Borovik, Andrew F. Hall, Scott A. Sell and R.S. Martin, “Evaluation of fused deposition modeling (FDM)-printed devices for microfluidic-based cell culture studies,” Anal Bioanal Chem, 2025, 417,  4435–4447.

A. Selemani and R. S. Martin, “Integrating Electrochemical Detection In 3D-printed Microchip Electrophoresis Devices”, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2024, 416, 4749-4758.

Major A. Selemani, Khamhbawihum Cenhrang, Samuel Azibere, Mariama Singhateh, and R. Scott Martin, “3D Printed Microfluidic Devices with Electrodes for Electrochemical Analysis,” Analytical Methods, 2024, 16, 6941-6953.

Honors and Awards

  1. Editor in chief, Analytical Methods (Royal Society of Chemistry journal), 2017–2023
  2. AES Mid-Career Award, presented at SciX 2017 in Reno, Nevada
  3. Associate editor, Analytical Methods (Royal Society of Chemistry journal), 2013–2017
  4. Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014–present
  5. College of Arts and Sciences Endowed Professor of Chemistry, July 2011–2015
  6. Graduate Mentor Award, Saint Louis University Graduate Student Association, 2011 and 2022 (presented at the Arts and Sciences Pre-Commencement)
  7. Secondary appointment, Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University, 2010–present

Professional Organizations and Associations

Member, American Chemical Society
Editorial Advisory Board, Analytical Methods