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 4201 - Biodesign
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
This class covers basic design techniques, together with essential wetlab skills. Students will learn how to culture and work with various types of organisms, such as bacteria, algae (dynoflagellates, cyanobacteria) and fungus. These organisms will become the living media or processed biomaterials that the students will design with. This is a lab-based class. Same as ATLS 5201.
ATLS 4519 - Advanced Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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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 5201 - Biodesign
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
This class covers basic design techniques, together with essential wetlab skills. Students will learn how to culture and work with various types of organisms, such as bacteria, algae (dynoflagellates, cyanobacteria) and fungus. These organisms will become the living media or processed biomaterials that the students will design with. This is a lab-based class. Same as ATLS 4201.
ATLS 5519 - Adv Topics
Primary Instructor
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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
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Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
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
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2024 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
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
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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
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
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.
