Current Lab Personnel
Education
BS Engineering (Biomedical Concentration), Baylor University, 2011
Pursuing PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Research
My work focuses on designing copolymer hydrogels for the purpose of long-term, minimally-invasive biosensing. These hydrogels are crosslinked polymer networks functionalized with oxidoreductase enzymes and long-lifetime, oxygen-quenched luminescent dyes. I systematically alter the copolymer compositions and quantitatively evaluate the impact of each composition on enzyme apparent activity, enzyme stability, substrate (e.g. glucose and oxygen) transport, and overall optical signal transduction. These investigations identify how various physical and chemical properties of host materials influence sensing chemistry stability, ultimately extending the operational lifetime of these devices in vivo.
Education
BS Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, IIT-Kharagpur, 2011
MS Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, IIT-Kharagpur, 2011
Pursuing PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Research
Sensor, controlled release, and smart coating applications of multilayer nanofilms. I am currently studying integrating microcapsules into hydrogels for various biomedical purposes.
Yil-Hwan You
Graduate Student
Lab Tenure: 2014-present
Education
BS Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik University, 2005
MS Materials Science and Engineering, Hongik University, 2007
Pursuing PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Research
I am mainly interested in metal nanoparticle synthesis and its modification using various ligands. My primary goal is developing novel SERS-based biosensors by encapsulating ligand-modified metal nanoparticles along with enzymes in implantable devices.
Lindsey Bornhoeft
Graduate Student
Lab Tenure: 2014-present
Education
BS Biochemistry, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, 2007Pursuing PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Research
My research interests are aimed at the design and fabrication of nano/microstructured sensors for non-invasive monitoring of clinically relevant biomarkers. I also enjoy playing sports, singing, and my 2 dogs.
Matt Jones
Graduate Student
Lab Tenure: 2014-present
Education
BS Chemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Pursuing PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Research
My work involves stabilization of the enzymatic component of sensor devices. Conjugation of enzymes to a variety of organic and inorganic materials such as polymers and proteins has the opportunity to yield enhanced stability and additional functionality compared to their native form. In addition, I am currently working to model various enzymatic sensor configurations using the multiphysics modeling software, COMSOL. Modeling is an important predictive tool that can be used to guide optimal selection of parameters for sensor design.