SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: This project introduces first-year undergraduate students to hands-on research in wearable biosensors for brain injury monitoring, focusing on detecting lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a biomarker linked to traumatic brain injury and neuroinflammation. Students will learn how to fabricate flexible electrodes, build simple biosensors, and test their performance using benchtop electrochemical methods. The project is designed for students with little or no prior research experience and emphasizes learning by doing, with training in basic laboratory techniques, sensor testing, and data interpretation. Through this work, students will gain foundational skills in bioengineering and materials-based sensor design while contributing to research aimed at improving noninvasive monitoring of brain health.

Potential skills gained: (1) Laboratory safety training and good research practices. (2) Hands-on fabrication of flexible electrodes using soft, wearable materials (3) Introduction to biosensor design and assembly (4) Electrode surface modification and functionalization for biomarker sensing

Required qualifications or skills: No required skills. It is a wet lab, the student will be preparing solutions and wearing lab coat while handling chemicals and biological samples.

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I., Post-doctorate