01.
About Alana
Dr. Alana Ogata obtained her B.Sc. from the College of William & Mary and conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Kristin Wustholz studying electron transfer kinetics in dyes using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Thanks to the experience in the Wustholz lab, Alana learned for the first time how research operated and was excited by the ability to solve problems with chemistry. After learning about opportunities in research from Dr. Wustholz, Alana pursued graduate school.
As an NSF GFRP fellow, Alana completed her PhD under Dr. Reginald Penner at UC Irvine focused on the development of simple and rapid biosensors based on polymer nanomaterials. At first intimidated by the new topics of Electrochemistry, Alana continued to find excitement in learning new things, working with advanced analytical instrumentation, and coming up with new research ideas. Through the mentorship of Dr. Penner, Alana also learned about the start-up world and conducted research in collaboration with PhageTech – gaining a new excitement for the translation of chemistries to solve diagnostic problems. During her PhD, she was a visiting scholar at KAIST under Dr. Il-Doo Kim as an NSF GROW fellow and learned the importance of collaboration and hospitality as the Kim group welcomed her in their lab. Throughout her PhD, Alana was set on several career paths, but after realizing that she was equally passionate for research, mentorship, and teaching – she set sights on becoming a professor.
Alana was then a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Joe Patterson at UC Irvine focused on studying the formation mechanisms of metal-organic frameworks by cryotransmission electron microscopy. Dr. Patterson provided Alana with a front row view of life as a assistant professor and an inclusive experience of setting up a lab and creating a team. Alana’s excitement and joy for mentoring graduate students, leading a project in a new field, and learning new techniques peaked, and the experience in the Patterson lab solidified her decision to pursue faculty positions.

Alana was then a NIH T32 postdoctoral fellow at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, under Dr. David Walt. As the pandemic began, Alana was part of a team of postdocs and grad students (Adam Maley, Tal Gilboa, Maya Kipman) leading COVID19 research using ultrasensitive protein assays to study SARS-CoV-2 antigens in patients, pediatrics, and vaccinated health care workers. Alana gained a new appreciation for team work, as her and her lab mates support for each other was key in conducting rapid research in unprecedently stressful times and was inspired by the multi-institutional collaborations formed to combat the pandemic. Dr Walt and lab members showed Alana how chemistry paired with dedicated leadership, rigor, and collaboration was key in solving global problems.
Alana joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor in the summer of 2021 and is jointly appointed in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences. She is excited to lead a research program that takes inspiration from all stage of her academic career and train the next generation of scientists under a combination of values learnt from her own mentors. The Ogata lab aims to develop new analytical technologies using bioinspired nanomaterials for applications in disease development and solve challenges facing women’s health.
02.
Experience

Assistant Professor

Post Doctoral Fellow

Post Doctoral Fellow

PhD

Bs in Chemistry

03.
Highlighted Accolades
Funding
Highlighted Awards and Honors
Conference Presentations/Invited Talks
Trainings/Certifications
Teaching
04.
Follow Alana on X/Twitter
Alana frequently posts on X/Twitter and provides her insights on research, chemistry, DEI, and current political issues. Click the button below to be directed to her account, and consider following her on X/Twitter.
06.
What’s on my nightstand?
Alana’s previous reading list
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
By John Carreyrou
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
By Walter Isaacson
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By Brene Brown

08.
Science As Art
Alana is also passionate for science in art. Check out our science art of materials synthesized and imaged by Ogata Lab members! Images taken on an Hitachi SU3500 SEM in the Core Instrument Facility at UTM, training thanks to Peter Mitrakos.

MOF Candy
By Advikaa Dosajh

Building Blocks
By Justin Van Houten

Steps On Steps
By Jared King

MOF Candy
By Christine Gaoiran

Glow
By Gurjap Bhullar

A Crystal Garden
By Shriya Gulati

A ZIF8 Sky
By Ruben Castillo Barberi

Edge Of The World
By Alana ogata

Hot Rocks
By alana ogata

A MOF Garden
By alana ogata