The McKelvey graduate student will present a project she developed in the lab of biologist Arpita Bose.
Andreea Stoica, a PhD student in mechanical engineering, has been selected to participate in the upcoming Prototypes for Humanity exhibition in Dubai in late November.
Stoica, who is co-mentored by Mark Meacham, associate professor of mechanical engineering & materials science in the McKelvey School, and Arpita Bose, associate professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, will present her project “Miniaturized Bio-electrochemical Reactors.”
Stoica’s project, realized with much trial and error in Bose’s lab, was designed to improve the study of electroactive bacteria that use electricity to interact with each other and with their environment. Such bacteria could be harnessed to produce usable energy from organic material. “Arpita had identified the need to find a better way to study these microbes,” Stoica said. “I was immediately drawn to the project’s potential to address some of the significant challenges facing our world.”
With assistance from other members of Bose’s lab, Stoica designed a device that uses microscopic fluid channels to precisely measure the electrical impulses coming from these bacteria. The device was constructed at the Institute for Materials Science & Engineering and Meacham’s lab.
“Despite many hurdles, Andreea has shown true grit,” Bose said. “Because of her perseverance, the project has become a reality. It will change the way we look at biology and chemistry using microfluidic systems.”
“Andreea’s project exemplifies what’s possible when scientists and engineers work closely together to tackle the most significant challenges,” Meacham said. “She enthusiastically entered Arpita’s lab to merge an understanding of microbiology with her existing background in engineering and microdevice development.”
The Prototypes for Humanity exhibition is supported by the Dubai Future Foundation, a government organization that promotes local and global scientific innovation. Nearly 3,000 graduate students from over 100 countries applied to participate in the exhibition, but only 100 projects were selected. At the exhibition, judges will choose five winning projects to share a cash prize of $100,000.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support and guidance I received from Mark, Arpita, and the other members of Arpita’s lab in helping me navigate this interdisciplinary challenge,” Stoica said. “Being chosen as one of the finalists to present my project is a true honor.”
