Micro-scale Bioanalytical Systems Professors and Supervisors

Hala ZreiqatView profile

Professor

University of SydneyAustralia

Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.

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Steven A. SoperView profile

Professor

University of KansasUnited States

Steven A. Soper is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kansas. He serves as Director of the NIH-funded Center for BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine and leads international collaborations with institutions like UNIST in South Korea. His career spans faculty roles at LSU, UNC, and KU, with interdisciplinary research bridging chemistry, biomedical engineering, and materials science. Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas (1989) Postdoctoral Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory (1991) B.S. in Chemistry and Psychology, University of Nebraska (1980-1982) Research Interests focus on micro-/nanofabricated biochemical analysis systems for clinical diagnostics, particularly circulating tumor cell analysis , cell-free DNA detection , and single-molecule fluorescence applications. His work integrates polymer microfabrication, FRET-based assays, and thermoplastic nanofluidics for cancer, stroke, and infectious disease diagnostics. Scientific Awards include: R&D 100 Award (2010) Shannon Award (NIH) (1994) Distinguished Research Master, LSU (2002) Fellow, AAAS/RSC/SAS (2010) Sutton Family Research Impact Award (2021) Teaching & Collaboration involves mentoring 39 professional-degree recipients, organizing multidisciplinary research teams, and co-teaching courses in Biofluid Mechanics and Nanotechnology . His lab partners with institutions in South Korea and UNC/NCSU, while hosting international students and professionals. Labs & Centers : Leads the Soper Research Group and the Center for BioModular Multi-Scale Systems , which provides access to state-of-the-art nanofabrication tools and collaborative expertise across 12 institutions.

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Ralph G. NuzzoView profile

Professor

University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States

Ralph G. Nuzzo is the G. L. Clark Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he also holds a Professorship in Materials Science and Engineering. He is an affiliated faculty member at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and a Visiting Associate in Applied Physics at Caltech. His research focuses on materials chemistry, nanotechnology, energy conversion, and bioanalytical systems. Notable contributions include advancements in photovoltaic systems, catalytic materials, and flexible electronics. Education: AB in Chemistry (Rutgers, 1976); PhD in Organic Chemistry (MIT, 1980). Career: Bell Labs (1980–1991), UIUC faculty since 1991. Awards: Adamson Award (ACS, 2003), Humboldt Research Award (2011), IEEE George E. Smith Award (2008). Leadership: Director of the DOE Light-Materials Interactions in Energy Conversion EFRC. Research Themes: Micro/Nano-scale fabrication for energy systems (e.g., luminescent solar concentrators) Catalytic transformations on supported nanoparticles Biocompatible materials for wearable biosensors Advanced battery materials and electrochemical systems Publications: Over 200+ peer-reviewed articles, with recent emphasis on 4D printing, flexible electronics, and catalytic mechanisms. Collaborations span academia and industry, including co-founding Semprius (high-performance photovoltaics). Labs/Teams: Nuzzo Research Group at UIUC, KTH collaborations, and leadership in the LMI EFRC. Current projects include autonomous light management systems and bio-inspired soft materials.

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Roozbeh GhaffariView profile

Academic

Northwestern UniversityUnited States

Roozbeh Ghaffari is a Research Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, serving as Director of Translational Research at the Center for Biointegrated Electronics. He holds a PhD from Harvard-MIT’s Health Sciences and Technology program, with prior degrees from MIT. His research focuses on soft bioelectronics, micro/nano-scale systems, and wearable biosensors, particularly for applications in health monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Prof. Ghaffari co-founded MC10 Inc., where he developed groundbreaking wearable technologies like the BioStamp® and My UV PatchTM. His work has been recognized with awards including MIT Technology Review's Top 35 Innovators Under 35 (2013) and the MIT100K Grand Prize (2008). His research interests span conformal bioelectronics, microfluidic systems, and auditory neuroscience, with a focus on translating these innovations into clinical tools. Key achievements include skin-interfaced microfluidic platforms for sweat analysis, wearable systems for real-time health monitoring, and bio-integrated devices for neuromuscular function assessment. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining materials science, engineering, and clinical medicine to address unmet healthcare needs. Education: PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Harvard-MIT (2008) MEng in Bio-Electrical Engineering, MIT (2003) B.S. in Electrical Engineering, MIT (2001) Awards: Helen Carr Peake PhD Research Prize (2008) Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Grand Prize (2008) TEDx Gateway Talk (2016) Lab Focus: Biointegrated Electronics Lab at Northwestern, developing wearable systems for disease monitoring and diagnostics.

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Karen WaldronView profile

Professor

University of MontrealCanada

Karen Waldron is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Montreal, where she maintains an active research program and teaching responsibilities. Her laboratory is housed in the Complexe des sciences and she can be contacted at karen.waldron@umontreal.ca or 514 343-6516. Her research focuses on developing advanced analytical methodologies using capillary electrophoresis with laser-based detection and mass spectrometry for biomolecule characterization. Waldron's group specializes in creating enzyme microreactors and micro-scale sample preparation techniques with applications spanning environmental analysis and proteomics. Key research areas include protein/peptide identification, biomolecular separation science, and instrumentation development for analytical chemistry. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong emphasis on supramolecular hydrogel systems derived from bile acids, advanced microreactor technologies for enzymatic digestion, and sophisticated mass spectrometry methods for detecting contaminants in environmental and pharmaceutical samples. Her work consistently bridges fundamental analytical chemistry with practical applications in environmental monitoring and biomolecular analysis. Waldron actively supervises graduate students and has directed numerous Master's and PhD theses since 1997, with recent graduates completing work in 2022. She teaches undergraduate courses including Experimental Chemistry 1, Bioanalytical Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. Her current research is supported by multiple active grants including the NSERC-funded "New microscale sample processing approaches for application to proteomics and bioanalysis" (2016-2024), and several collaborative projects on lithium-ion battery recycling and CO 2 capture technologies through 2027.

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Ursula BilitewskiView profile

Adjunct Professor

Helmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchGermany

Prof. Dr. Ursula Bilitewski is a Research Group Leader at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, Germany, where she has been working since 1988. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry at the Technical University of Braunschweig since 2002. Since 2016, she has headed the "Compound Profiling and Screening (COPS)" working group, focusing on drug discovery and molecular mechanisms of action. Her educational background includes: Chemistry studies at the University of Münster Doctorate from the Institute of Physical Chemistry Habilitation in Biochemistry at the Technical University of Braunschweig (1994) Prof. Bilitewski's research spans multiple disciplines in biochemistry and infectious disease. Her primary focus areas include antimicrobial drug discovery, biosensor development, and molecular mechanism elucidation. She has made significant contributions to understanding pathogen-host interactions, particularly with Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori . Her work bridges fundamental biochemistry with practical applications in diagnostics and therapeutics, with a strong emphasis on developing innovative screening methodologies for compound profiling. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on antimicrobial research, particularly targeting bacterial pathogens through novel compound discovery and mechanism elucidation. Her work spans multiple approaches including synthetic chemistry, biosensor development, and molecular pharmacology. Key themes include Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors, Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis, and innovative screening methodologies for drug discovery. While specific awards aren't detailed in the provided information, her sustained research leadership and extensive publication record spanning over two decades indicate significant recognition in her field. Prof. Bilitewski has mentored numerous researchers through her leadership of the COPS working group at HZI. Her research has been supported by various funding mechanisms enabling her innovative work in antimicrobial discovery and biosensor development. She has contributed significantly to collaborative research initiatives, including the EU-OPENSCREEN project which facilitates chemical biology research across Europe. She leads the "Compound Profiling and Screening (COPS)" working group at HZI, which focuses on establishing micro-scale bioanalytical systems and advancing drug discovery research. The group employs interdisciplinary approaches combining biochemistry, microbiology, and analytical chemistry to identify novel drug targets and develop innovative screening methodologies.

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Steven Allen SoperView profile

Academic

University of KansasUnited States

Dr. Steven Allen Soper is the Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Kansas. He holds a Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry from KU (1989) and has held academic positions at Louisiana State University (1991–2011) and the University of North Carolina (2011–2016). His research focuses on developing micro/nanofabricated systems for biomedical diagnostics, including single-molecule detection, polymer-based biosensors, and lab-on-a-chip technologies. He has pioneered tools for cancer diagnostics, stroke assessment, and infectious disease monitoring. Education: B.S. Psychology, University of Nebraska, Omaha (1980) B.S. Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Omaha (1982) Ph.D. Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas (1989) Research Highlights: His work spans single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy , nano-biosensor fabrication , and ultrasensitive detection systems . Projects include: Development of infrared-fluorescent dyes for nucleic acid analysis Microfluidic platforms for circulating tumor cell isolation Point-of-care stroke diagnostics via RNA biomarkers Nanofluidic devices for DNA damage analysis Awards: R&D 100 Award (1992) Fellowships: Royal Society of Chemistry, AAAS, and Society for Applied Spectroscopy (2010) Distinguished Research Master, LSU (2008) Teaching & Mentorship: Guided 39 graduate students and integrated global research opportunities through his adjunct role at UNIST, South Korea. Taught courses in analytical chemistry, biofluid mechanics, and nanotechnology. Developed curricula for instrumentation labs and entrepreneurship workshops. Labs & Collaborations: Core member of the Center for BioModular Multi-Scale Systems. Collaborates across disciplines (mechanical engineering, molecular biology, materials science). Active in tech commercialization, including patent filings and startup mentoring.

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Brian CullumView profile

Professor

University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyUnited States

Brian Cullum is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina (1998) and a B.S. in Chemistry from Frostburg State University (1994). Previously, he conducted post-doctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1999). Research Focus: Development of advanced optical and spectroscopic tools for biomedical and environmental sensing at both nano- and macro-scales. Labs: Cullum Lab specializes in THORS (Thermally-induced Optical Reflection of Sound), SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) nano-imaging, intracellular sensors, and defense-oriented chemical detection. Recent research emphasizes real-time clinical diagnostics for cancer and nanoscale cellular monitoring . His work spans implantable sensors for single-cell analysis to macro-scale spectroscopic techniques. Publications highlight interdisciplinary applications in synthetic bone materials, kidney stone dissolution, and gamma-ray sensing nanocomposites. Scientific Honors: 2017 FACSS Innovation Award Fellow of SPIE (2014) 2004 Eli Lilly Analytical Academic Award 2003 R&D 100 Award Promising Analytical Chemist Award (2003–2005) Teaching: Courses in analytical chemistry, instrumental methods, and advanced spectroscopy (CHEM 300, 461, 662, etc.).

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Michael T. BowserView profile

Professor

University of Minnesota Twin CitiesUnited States

Michael T. Bowser is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering. He leads the Bowser Research Group, which focuses on developing innovative bioanalytical technologies for studying biological and medical problems at unprecedented scales and timeframes. The lab specializes in microfluidics, electrophoresis, nucleic acid assays, and cell culture techniques. Professor Bowser's research interests span several interconnected areas within analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. His group develops micro free-flow electrophoresis (µFFE) systems for continuous monitoring of dynamic biological processes, creates catalytic nucleic acid platforms for quantification and characterization, and investigates how single-stranded nucleic acids can regulate key proteins in cardiac calcium cycles. Applications of particular interest include adipocyte signaling in obesity, modulation of heart function using oligonucleotides, aptamer-based cell delivery systems, and high-speed multidimensional separations for biomarker detection. The research publications from the Bowser lab show a consistent focus on advancing microfluidic separation technologies, with recent work emphasizing surface chemistry in microfluidic devices, 3D printing for rapid prototyping, and applications in cardiovascular and metabolic research. The lab has developed specialized techniques for continuous monitoring of biochemical messengers, representing significant methodological advances in the field. NIH Grant: $1.25 million for 'Online Affinity Micro Free Flow Electrophoresis Assays for Continuous Monitoring of Biochemical Messengers' Safest Lab Award (Fall 2023) 2022 GSRS Award (to student Gretchen) NOBCChE Conference grant (to student Sandra) Professor Bowser actively mentors students, currently advising five PhD candidates working on projects related to micro free-flow electrophoresis and catalytic oligonucleotides. His lab has a strong track record of student success, with alumni securing positions at leading companies including Bio-Techne, Eli Lilly, and Beckman Coulter, as well as government and academic positions. The lab maintains a strong safety culture, having been recognized as one of the chemistry department's safest labs. The Bowser Group operates as a multidisciplinary research team combining expertise in analytical chemistry, microfluidics, molecular biology, and biomedical applications. The lab culture emphasizes innovation, rigorous scientific methodology, and collaborative problem-solving to address challenging questions at the interface of chemistry and biology.

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