Research in my lab is an interplay of biology, engineering and art. At the technical level, I investigate biomaterials for tangible interaction and microfluidic biochips for personalized healthcare. At an artistic level, my research focuses on bridging the gap between humans and non-human nature, e.g., using microbiomes as a source for sustainability, and bioluminescence as a guidance for escaping darkness. The multifaceted work is motivated by my vision of biology (or “nature”) becoming inherent to human thinking, as opposed to the current human-centric Anthropocene1 mindset. I formulate materials having biodegradability as a constraint: ReClaym and Alganyl decompose in soil within days. Unfortunately, sustainability does not align with the current trend in fabrication, which focuses solely on scaling the production. I seek to change that by proposing new design perspectives (e.g., organism-centric design) and new fabrication methods) that engage with the entire life-cycle of the material. I am also passionate about researching microfluidic biochips, devices that enable direct interaction of humans with their microbiome for diagnosis purposes. So far I have built systems based on biochips to serve as personal laboratories: small portable devices that people can own and use to develop customized bio-protocols ('bio-apps'). The work in the Living Matter Lab, which I founded, focuses on technologies that empower individuals by making information about their own biology and interaction with their biome more accessible. In particular, I am developing: [Research Theme RT1] materials for tangible interaction that enable biodegradable interfaces; [Research Theme RT2] compact and highly configurable biochips that have the potential to move a variety of complex diagnostics out of the lab and into the home.
ATLS 4519 - Advanced Special Topics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technology and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 32 total credit hours.
ATLS 5519 - Advanced Special Topics in Creative Technology and Design
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technologies and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
CSCI 3002 - Fundamentals of Human Computer Interaction
Primary Instructor
-
Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Introduces the practice and research of human-computer interaction, including its history, theories, the techniques of user-centered design, and the development of interactive technologies. Covers computing in society at large with respect to domains such as health, education, assistive technology, ethics, environment, and more.
CSCI 4830 - Special Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2024
Covers topics of interest in computer science at the senior undergraduate level. Content varies from semester to semester. Only 9 credit hours from CSCI 4830 and/or CSCI 4831 can count toward Computer Science BS or BA.
CSCI 5839 - User-Centered Design and Development 1
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020
Develops the skills and practices necessary to apply user-centered approaches to software requirements analysis, and the design and evaluation of computer applications.
CSCI 7000 - Current Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2023
Covers research topics of current interest in computer science that do not fall into a standard subarea. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.
