Innovative Interfaces: Bridging Technology and Biology for a Healthier Future

Abstract: In an era where healthcare and technology converge, the development of novel bioanalytical platforms is pivotal for advancing diagnostics and life science research. This talk will present innovative approaches to creating electroanalytical devices and systems tailored for a range of applications, including point-of-care diagnostics for infectious diseases and in-vitro/ex-vivo biological studies. A key focus will be on the utilization of low-dimensional materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, in biochemical sensing applications. These materials offer exceptional properties that can significantly improve sensitivity and selectivity in detecting biomolecules. Emphasizing the integration of printable and stretchable sensors, we will also explore how these materials are utilized in developing skin-conformal, wearable devices, for example for human-machine interface applications. Furthermore, we will delve into the convergence of machine learning, which facilitates advanced sensing capabilities and data interpretation. By examining diverse applications—from drug screening to in situ studies of bacterial phenotypes and cancer cells—we aim to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this research and its potential to transform biomedical research and applications.

Bio: Aida Ebrahimi is an associate professor of Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (BME; courtesy) and holds the Thomas and Sheila Roell Early Career Professorship in Electrical Engineering. She also serves as a MatSe and BME faculty of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) at Penn State. Dr. Ebrahimi’s research revolves around developing novel bioanalytical platforms (electronic, electrochemical, and optical), printable/stretchable/wearable sensors, studying low-dimensional materials for biochemical sensing, and convergence of data analytical tools (e.g. machine learning) for advanced sensing. Applications are diverse, ranging from in vitro cell studies and point-of-care diagnostics (especially infectious diseases) to human-computer interface, rehabilitation, drug screening, in situ study of bacterial phenotypes, among others. Dr. Ebrahimi is a recipient of several awards and scholarships for outstanding research performance, including NSF CAREER Award (2023), IEEE Senior Member, Rustum and Della Roy Innovation in Materials Research Award (2022), NIH: NIBIB Trailblazer Award (2021), SPARC Clinical-Research Exchange Fellowship (Penn State, 2020), Scialog Fellow in Microbiome, Neurobiology and Disease (Research Corporation for Science Advancement, 2020-2023), Multidisciplinary Research Award (Penn State College of Engineering, 2019), the Materials-Life Science Convergence Award (Penn State, 2018), Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship Award (Purdue University, 2015), Rising Star in EECS (MIT, 2015), among others. She is a member of the IEEE Electron Device Society (EDS), the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), the Electrochemical Society (ECS; Member-at-Large: Sensor Division; Faculty Advisor for Penn State Student Chapter), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Materials Research Society (MRS).