Our Research
Accessible Rapid Sensing Platforms
We design low-cost, portable biosensors that provide rapid, reliable detection of pathogens in food and water. Built from smart materials and biological recognition molecules, these color-changing or smartphone-readable systems offer rapid results - no lab required. Our goal is to democratize testing by developing tools that are simple to use in regions with limited infrastructure, including remote and Indigenous communities. In partnership with local stakeholders, we aim to support equitable access to safe water and empower community-led monitoring. Machine learning is always integrated to automate signal interpretation and ensure consistent, trustworthy readouts across diverse settings.
Continuous Environmental Monitoring
Our lab develops electrochemical sensor networks that continuously track microbial contamination in real-time. These systems are designed to capture transient changes in quality that conventional testing often misses. By combining robust antifouling materials, adaptive signal calibration, and AI-driven analytics, our platforms stands to detect and interpret subtle environmental shifts automatically. This work aims to move water safety monitoring from periodic testing toward continuous, predictive protection of public and ecological health.
Phage-Engineered Living Materials
We harness the power of bacteriophages - viruses that specifically infect bacteria, to create living materials that sense and respond to contamination. Embedded within polymers or soft matrices, these systems can recognize viable pathogens, produce optical or electrochemical signals, and neutralize contaminants on contact. Through AI-assisted design and image analysis, we seek to optimize these systems for stability and precision. This fusion of biology and materials science creates adaptive, sustainable technologies inspired by nature’s own defense mechanisms.
Next-generation Polymer Interfaces
We engineer smart materials that adapt to their environment - changing their form, resisting fouling, or releasing protective agents in response to stimuli. These polymers offer various use-cases within complex biological or environmental conditions, including in sensing. We tailor surface behavior to specific applications, ranging from clinical care to environmental diagnostics. Our goal is to build durable, sustainable materials that support multifunctional and reliable technologies for public and environmental health.
