2025 Projects

Host research group(s): Marko Lončar, Evelyn Hu

Mentor(s):  Matthew Yeh

Host research group(s): Shriya Srinivasan

Mentor(s):  Mali Halac

Project Description: This project aims to develop a novel electrode grid for performing microneurography in rat models of neuropathy. The grid will consist of a biocompatible material embedded with multiple microelectrodes, precisely arranged to interface with peripheral nerves in rats. By recording neural activity from these nerves, the device will enable the detailed characterization of nerve fiber function and identify specific abnormalities associated with different types of neuropathy. This data will provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of nerve damage and support the development of targeted therapies for neuropathic pain and dysfunction.

Host research group(s): Bill Wilson

Mentor(s):  Eric Seabron

Project Description: Far field and Near Field spectroscopy measurements on ultrapure BNNTs to detect color centers and temperature dependent quantum emission. 

Host research group(s): Rob Wood

Mentor(s):  Lauryn Whiteside

Project Description: The goal of the project is to explore actuator designs that are compatible with the outputs of microfluidic controllers. Primarily the student will work on the design, fabrication and analysis of a 2-3 diffrent actuator types. 

Host research group(s): Federico Capasso

Mentor(s):  Davide Cassara, Pernille Undrum Fathi

Project Description: We are developing new bi- or multi-layer metasurface platforms using advanced fabrication methods such as electron-beam lithography, atomic layer deposition, reactive ion etching, and CVD. These stacked metasurfaces introduce additional degrees of freedom for controlling light, enabling functionalities beyond what current single-layer technologies can achieve.

Host research group(s): Julia Mundy

Project Description:  Quantum materials are a fascinating class of materials that display novel physical phenomena.  We will use techniques to synthesize these materials as thin films.  In the thin film form we can more readily manipulate the materials to further explore their properties as well as integrate into devices.  Potential projects could include materials for next-generation electronics, photonics or energy applications.

Host research group(s): Michael Aziz

Project Description:  Porous carbonaceous electrodes are essential for large-scale energy storage systems like flow batteries. A technique called electrochemical confocal fluorescence microscopy helps visualize how electrode fibers interact with electrochemical species in 3D-printed electrodes. Students will take images of the electrodes and create a data-processing tool to measure how the electrode shape affects battery performance.

Host research group(s): Joanna Aizenberg, Jonathan Grinham

Mentor(s): Jack Alvarenga

Project Description:  Qualified students will work with a cross-disciplinary team from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Graduate School of Design to advance a novel, low-carbon dehumidification technology. The experience will be hands-on, heavily emphasizing prototyping and experimental methods.

Host research group(s): Joanna Aizenberg

Mentor(s): Raphael Kay

Project Description:  An emerging class of ‘radiatively-cooling’ materials are capable of sending unwanted heat (via thermal radiation) into outer space. The ability to combine this incredible feature with the capacity to manipulate sunlight would open new pathways to curating interior climates exclusively using environmental radiation – largely eliminating the need for the heating, cooling, and lighting systems that drive energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions globally. To achieve this possible breakthrough in energy efficiency and sustainability, this project will look to an entirely new class of material – fluids – for developing a single platform capable of controlling sunlight and radiative cooling simultaneously. Our fluidic strategy may ‘unlock’ what has been considered one of the longstanding materials science bottlenecks to global sustainability.

Host research group(s): Joanna Aizenberg

Mentor(s): Hamed Almohammadi

Project Description:  In this project, we will fabricate tiny soft robotic microparticles that can grow, shrink, or change shape in response to light, heat, or other signals. To create these particles, we will use advanced nanofabrication techniques, including 3D printing, microfluidics, and soft lithography. We will then observe and analyze their behavior using various microscopy methods such as SEM, bright-field, and polarized microscopy.

Host research group(s): Kevin Gozzi

Mentor(s): David Zahrah

Project Description:  Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are phage-like systems that mediate gene transfer between bacteria in a population. We have developed a systematic approach that has uncovered more than a dozen previously elusive GTA systems across bacteria. We are seeking motivated students to contribute to this project by characterizing purified GTA phage-like particles using various imaging approaches, with a heavy focus on TEM, to determine size, shape and heterogeneity.

Host research group(s): Pamela Silver

Mentor(s): Neil Dalvie

Project Description:  We are investigating the ability of natural and engineered bacteria to accelerate silicate mineral weathering, a potential carbon sequestration technique. Projects can include genetic engineering, execution of weathering processes, and characterization of minerals.

Host research group(s): Tayyaba Hassan

Project Description:  The current NCI funded project is aimed at developing low-cost technology (developed at University of Arizona), for imaging and treatment of oral cancers in low resource settings. The integrated “Screen, Image and Treat Optical System” (SITOS) will utilize an FDA approved pro-drug (5-ALA) that is preferentially converted into a fluorophore/photosensitizer, Protoporphyrin-IX (PpIX) in malignant cells. The integrated platform enables the use of the same hardware for initial imaging, and a single theranostic molecule for image-guided PDT and online monitoring during therapy. There is an opportunity to learn and perform experiments involving preliminarily validation of the device on optical phantoms, in vitro 3D tumor models and orthotopic/sub-cutaneous mouse syngeneic models. 

Host research group(s): Tayyaba Hassan

Project Description:  The primary focus of this project is to evaluate immune responses (both systemic and local) in pre-clinical pancreatic cancer models, post-photodynamic therapy, and develop strategies to enhance response of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pancreatic cancers. This project also involves the use of a hyperspectral fluorescence microendoscope (in collaboration with Dr. Bryan Spring at Northeastern University) for online multi-molecular imaging to quantify tumor cell phenotypes and their spatio-temporal location during PDT and immunotherapy in mouse cancer models.  The project also involves ex vivo culturing tumor tissues, as organoids or in heterocellular 3D in vitro models, to integrate stromal cells, extracellular matrix and the complex immune microenvironment.