معرفی
Prof. Kwang W. Oh is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He directs the Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab (SMALL), focusing on biomedical microfluidic devices, sensors, and actuators for applications in medical diagnostics and biological research.
His educational background includes:
- PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Cincinnati (2001)
- MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Cincinnati (1997)
- BS in Physics with summa cum laude from Chonbuk National University, Korea (1994)
Prof. Oh's research centers on microfluidics and BioMEMS (Bio Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), with specializations in LOC (lab-on-a-chip), MicroTAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems), and SANS (Sample-to-Answer Nano/microfluidic Systems). His work develops practical microfluidic devices for medical diagnostics, including point-of-care blood testing, single cell manipulation, and nanobiosensors. His lab has pioneered innovative approaches like the "pysanky" wax-based technique for rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices and vacuum-driven micropumps for plasma separation from finger-prick blood samples.
His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward practical medical applications of microfluidics, particularly in photoacoustic imaging test phantoms, point-of-care diagnostics, and nanoparticle synthesis for viral treatment. His research bridges engineering with clinical needs, focusing on making laboratory functions portable and accessible through microfluidic integration.
Among his notable awards:
- The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
- President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring (2019)
- Qualcomm Faculty Award (2019)
- Senior Teacher of the Year Award, SEAS, UB (2017)
- Emerging Investigators 2012, Lab Chip, Royal Society of Chemistry (2013)
- Honor of CEO, Samsung Electronics for development of a micro PCR system (2003)
Prof. Oh has advised numerous graduate students including Dr. Anyang Wang, Dr. Nikhila Nyayapathi, and Dr. Domin Koh, who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His research has been supported by significant grants, including a Qualcomm Faculty Award in 2019, which recognizes research that "inspires students and sparks new approaches in key technology areas." He actively participates in professional service as an editorial board member for several journals including Sensors and Micromachines.
He directs the Sensors and MicroActuators Learning Lab (SMALL), which houses state-of-the-art facilities for microfluidic device fabrication and testing. The lab focuses on developing practical microfluidic solutions for medical diagnostics, with recent projects including test phantoms for photoacoustic imaging, vacuum-driven micropumps for point-of-care blood separation, and microfluidic devices for nanoparticle synthesis targeting viral treatments. The lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, medicine, and life sciences to translate microfluidic innovations into real-world medical applications.
