Armed with a doctoral degree in Engineering, I am working at the interface of micro- and nanotechnology.

My main research interest lies in developing technologies targeted towards cheap, portable and reliable solutions, which can be used in developing economies for health monitoring. This can be done using lab-on-chip type devices to provide real time quantitative measurements.

Until recently, I was working as a Sr. Engineer with the Plasma Physics group and  Materials Research Lab (MRL) at IBM. Here, my core efforts are aimed at working with the research and engineering team to develop RIE processes for next generation devices being developed at IBM Research.

Before that, I had been working in the Exploratory Devices team at the IBM TJ Watson Research Center (NY, USA) as a Research Scientist. Here, my work here was focused on the integration of semiconductor devices with micro and nanofluidic components to enable protein detection and characterization (or simply put I was building biosensors).

I  completed my doctoral studies in 2011 and M.S in 2007  from The University of Akron (Ohio, US) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Here my research was towards developing microfluidic sensors and actuators under the guidance of Dr. Jiang Zhe. My research work is reflected in my publications and is also described on the research page of this website.

 

On a more personal note:  I am interested in working on developing sensors targeted towards cheap & portable solutions, which can be used in developing economies and applications in the health care industry. One focus, is towards developing devices for point-of care testing devices which will allow rapid and on-site analysis.

 

Some of my professional activities, honors and associations are listed below

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Reviewer, Nanotechnology , Lab on a chip , Journal of Material Chemistry B , Journal of Physics D , Journal of Microelectromehcanics and Microengineering , MMM (Magnetism & Magnetic Materials Conference (2008), Mathematical Problems in Engineering (2008), ASME International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition (ASME-IMECE), RSC Advances, Measurement Science and Technology, Materials Research Express.
  • Evaluator, Ohio Space Grant Consortium Research Symposium (2009). [PDF]
  • Managing Partner, Student Venture Fund at The University of Akron (North East Ohio Student Venture Fund, ), investor fund for high potential startup companies in Northeast Ohio region (formerly known as the HOPonSVF) (2010-2011)
  • Organizer Engineering Futures Session at the University of Akron sponsored by Tau Beta Pi (Group Process, Nov 2009; Analytical problem solving, Feb 2010, Effective presentation skills, April 2010).
  • Evaluator Golden Key Akron Chapter Scholarships (2010).
  • Evaluator Tau Beta Pi Sophomore Scholarship (2010).
  • Planning Committee, Conference on Undergraduate and Graduate Research (CUGSR), The University of Akron (2010) [Fundraising Committee, Special Events Committee].
  • Committee, Professional Enrichment Grant, The University of Akron (2010).

 

HONORS, AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • In the news July 12, 2010 “ Graduate Students Jump at an opportunity” by Chuck Soder in Crain’s Cleveland Business, Vol 31, no 27, Page 23, Article about Hop-on-Student venture fund (now North East Ohio Student Venture Fund[PDF]
  • Listed in Who’s Who in America (65th edition), 2011.
  • Graduate Excellence Award in a Doctoral Program, LIFE (Leadership, Integrity, Fellowship & Excellence) awards, April 2010, Akron, Ohio.
  • Lewis F. Moody Award, Outstanding original paper useful to the practice of mechanical engineering, Awarded August 2009, ASME Fluids Engineering Division (Fluid Engineering Division meeting 2009 in Vail, CO). [LINK] [PDF]
  • Best Paper Award, ASME-IMECE 2008, Fluids Engineering in Micro and Nanosystems Symposium, Boston, MA, 2008.
  • Outstanding Student Research Award, The University of Akron, 2007, Akron, OH. [PDF1] [PDF2]
  • Best Oral Presentation Award, “Bioparticle Detection using a microfabricated High Throughput Multichannel resistive pulse sensor”, The University of Akron, Conference on Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research (CUGSR), 2007.
  • In the news July 2006, UA Research to help hay fever sufferers, Akron News [LINK 1] [LINK 2]
  • NCIIA BME Design 2006, “A High Throughput Bioassay sensor”, $500 Advanced E-Team Grant, February 2006. (now known as VentureWell)
  • Best Oral Presentation Award, “High Throughput Multi-Channel Biosensor for Bio-microparticle Detection”, The University of Akron Conference on Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research (CUGSR), 2005.
  • Winner of Best project “Development of a low-cost Electroencephalogram”, Indian Institute of Technology (Mumbai) Technical Exhibition, 2003.
  • Kulpati Medal for Best Student (Science), Bhavan’s College, Mumbai, 1999.