Research Interests
Vlad Cucuiet is a PhD student at Babes-Bolyai University, specializing in plasmonics and graphene-based materials for biosensing and various applications. His research focuses on understanding SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) mechanisms and exploring the interaction between graphene-based materials plasmonic nanostructures with applications in advanced biosensing. Beyond his focus on SERS, he has gained hands-on experience with advanced analytical and synthesis techniques. His synthesis expertise includes Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) for the controlled production of graphene and carbon nanotubes. For analysis, he has utilized Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) to investigate the viscoelastic properties of small DNA strands, successfully integrating these analyses with spectroscopic data to provide a comprehensive view on the elastic behavior of small molecules. In addition to experimental research, Vlad has a strong interest in theoretical and computational physics, particularly in electromagnetic and solid state DFT simulations, as well as quantum plasmonic effects. With a solid foundation in mathematics and theoretical physics, he also has experience in programming with Python, Gaussian and Julia, enabling him to develop and analyze advanced numerical models. His interdisciplinary expertise positions him at the intersection of nanophotonics, carbon based nanomaterials,biosensing, and computational physics."
Expertise
Graphene materials, Spectroscopy, Viscoelastic properties of molecules via Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, Computational Physics (DFT, Thermoplasmonics), nanobiophotonics, Surface Enhanced Raman SPectroscopy
International visibility
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vlad-Cucuiet?ev=hdr_xprf
Most Relevant Publications
1. Vlad Cucuiet*, Dana Maniu, Simion Astilean, Marc Lamy de la Chapelle, Monica Focsan. SERS detection of DNA hybridization on a graphene oxide plasmonic nanoplatform: Influence of DNA sequence length. AIP, Applied Physics Letters, 2025, 127, 063701 (* Principal Author, IF 3.6 Nature Index).
2. Vlad Cucuiet*, Dana Maniu, Ana Maria Craciun, Septimiu Tripon, Simion Astilean, Marc Lamy de la Chapelle, Monica Focsan. Probing the Local Field Enhancement Using SERS Detection of DNA Strands with Different Lengths and Grafting Strategies on Graphene Oxide Plasmonic Nanoplatforms. ACS, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2025, 16, 2, 435–442 (*Principal Author, IF 4.9 Nature Index) – ACS Cover for the respective issue.
3. Vlad Cucuiet*, Dana Maniu, Simion Astilean, Marc Lamy de la Chapelle, Monica Focsan. Graphene-Mediated Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for DNA Detection&Hybridization: Breakthroughs and Challenges. Review Article, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 286, 2025, 117610, (*Principal Author, IF. 10.7)
4. Alexandru Holca, Vlad Cucuiet, Simion Astilean, Marc Lamy de la Chapelle, Monica Focsan. Recent advances on gold nanoparticles - graphene hybrid nanoplatforms with visible to near-infrared response for photodynamic, photothermal therapy and bioimaging. RSC Adv., 2025, 15, 11902-11922
5. Vlad Cucuiet*, Maria Iliuț, Monica Potara, Klara Magyari, Septimiu Tripon, Olga Soritau, Dana Maniu, Simion Aștilean, Monica Focșan. Gelatin-assisted fabrication of reduced NanoGraphene Oxide for dual-modal imaging of melanoma cells, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 231, 2023, 113546 (* Principal Author, IF 5.8).