Leyla Soleymani

Dr. Leyla Soleymani is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University and holds a Canada Research Chair in Miniaturized Biomedical Devices. She serves as Associate Vice-President in the Office of the Vice-President, Research. Her work integrates engineering and biochemistry to develop biosensors and antimicrobial materials for healthcare applications. She earned her M.Sc. from the University of Southern California and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto.

Education:

• B.Eng., McGill University
• M.Sc., University of Southern California
• Ph.D., University of Toronto

Research Interests: Dr. Soleymani focuses on in vitro/in vivo biosensors for disease diagnostics, hierarchical materials fabrication, and engineered repellent surfaces. Her lab develops wearable sensors (e.g., microneedle-based glucose/lactate monitors) and pathogen-resistant textiles. Recent work includes SARS-CoV-2 aptamer-based assays, CO₂ electroreduction catalysts, and anti-fouling coatings.

Articles Overview: Her recent publications emphasize electrochemical biosensing innovations, viral antigen detection, and antimicrobial surface engineering. Machine learning has been applied to optimize aptamer-antigen interaction analysis. Over 140 scholarly works span conferences like MicroTAS and journals like Advanced Materials and Angewandte Chemie.

Awards: Canada Research Chair (CRC Tier 2) in Miniaturized Biomedical Devices (2020–present).

Grants/Advising: Leads research on NIH-funded biosensing projects. Advises graduate students in biomedical engineering and materials science. Collaborates with industry partners on wearable sensor commercialization.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Soleymani Group, which innovates in biosensor design, microfluidics, and nanomaterials. Active in McMaster’s Institute for Infectious Disease Research and Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Innovation Institute.