LARS LAURENTIUS

Lars Laurentius is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Utah. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Alberta (2012). His research focuses on developing innovative biomedical sensing technologies, particularly in smart hydrogels, microfluidic systems, and point-of-care diagnostics for infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and SARS-CoV-2. He has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and holds multiple patents related to biomedical sensor platforms.

Education: PhD in Chemistry (2012, University of Alberta). Languages: English, German, Danish.

Research Interests: Laurentius specializes in integrating nanotechnology with biomedical applications. Key areas include: (1) Design of implantable hydrogel-based sensors for continuous glucose monitoring via ultrasound resonance; (2) Development of microfluidic platforms for tuberculosis biomarker detection (e.g., mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan); (3) Optimization of sample pretreatment methods to enhance biomarker detection in complex matrices like human serum; (4) Creation of portable diagnostic systems using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and electrochemical methods. His work emphasizes translating lab-scale innovations into field-deployable solutions.

Grant Activity: Recent grants include portable SERS technology for congenital cytomegalovirus screening (2022-2024), hydrogel-based biomedical sensing hydrogels (2021-2024), and microfluidic systems for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection (2021).

Teaching: Regularly teaches Micromachining and Thesis Research supervision in graduate programs.

Lab/Team: Leads research in biomedical sensor development with collaborations in nanotechnology and infectious disease diagnostics. Active in interdisciplinary projects combining materials science, electrical engineering, and clinical applications.