Alumni, Elisabeth Smela, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland

Alumni

Alumni - PhD Students

Mike Armani
Aug. 2006 – Dec. 2010
Currently: M3D
mikearmani@gmail.com

BioEngineering
co-advisor: Ben Shapiro , Aerospace Engineering
Thesis Title: Nucleic Acid Extraction and Detection across Two-Dimensional Tissue Samples

Journal Publications:

1. M. Armani, S. Chaudhary, R. Probst, and B. Shapiro, "Using feedback control and micro-fluidics to independently steer multiple particles," J. Microelectromech. Syst., 15(4), 945-956 (2006).

2. M. Armani, J. Rodriguez-Canales, J. Gillespie, M. Tangrea, H. Erickson, M. R. Emmert-Buck, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "2D-PCR: A method of mapping DNA in tissue sections," Lab Chip, 9(24), 3526 - 3534 (2009).

3. M. Armani, M. A. Tangrea, B. Shapiro, M. R. Emmert-Buck, and E. Smela, "Quantifying mRNA levels across tissue sections with 2D-RT-qPCR," Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 400(10), 3383-3393 (2011).

4. M. Armani, M. Tangrea, B. Yang, A. Rosenberg, K. Ylaya, J. Martinez, J. Rodriguez-Canales, J. Hanson, B. Shapiro, M. R. Emmert-Buck, E. Smela, and S. M. Hewitt, "Multiplex quantitative measurement of mRNAs from fixed tissue microarray sections," Diag. Molec. Pathol. 22(5) 323-330 (2014).

Bavani Balakrisnan
Jan. 2008– April 2012
Currently: Singapore, Tera-Barrier Films

Future Faculty Fellow.
Awarded an Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship in 2011.

Mechanical Engineering
Thesis Title: Microfabrication and Modeling of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Journal Publications:

1. B. Balakrisnan, S. Patil, E. Smela, "Patterning PDMS using a combination of wet and dry etching," J. Micromech. Microeng., 19(4), 047002 (2009).

2. S. Alben, B. Balakrisnan, and E. Smela, "Edge effects determine the direction of bilayer bending," Nano Lett., 11 (6), 2280–2285 (2011).

3. B. Balakrisnan, A. Nacev, J. M. Burke, A. Dasgupta, and E. Smela, "Design of compliant meanders for applications in MEMS, actuators, and flexible electronics," Smart Mater. Struct., 21, 075033 (2012).

4.. B. Balakrisnan, A. N. Nacev, and E. Smela, "Design of bending multi-layer electroactive polymer actuators," Smart Mater. Struct., 24, 045032 (2015).

Ying Chen
Fall 2013 – Spring 2018
yingchen1223@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineering
co-supervisors: Miao Yu, Hugh Bruck
Thesis Title: Tactile Sensing with Compliant Structures for Human-Robot Interaction

Journal Publications:

1. Y. Chen, M. Yu, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "Stretchable touch-sensing skin over padding for co-robots," Smart Mater. Struct. 25, 055006 (2016). doi: 10.1088/0964-1726/25/5/055006

2. Y. Chen, M. Yu, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "Characterization of a compliant multi-layer system for tactile sensing with enhanced sensitivity and range," Smart Mater. Struct., 27 (065005) (2018). doi: 10.1088/1361-665X/aabc29

Marc Dandin
Sept. 2006 – May 2012
Currently: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
mpdandin@gmail.com

BioEngineering
co-advisor: Pamela Abshire, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Thesis Title: CMOS Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes and Micromachined Optical Filters for Integrated Fluorescence Sensing

Winner of the 2008 Fischell Fellowship in Biomedical Engineering. See this story.
Winner in 2011 of the First Jimmy H. C. Lin Award for Entrepreneurship. See this story.

Journal Publications:

1. M. Dandin, P. Abshire, and E. Smela, "Optical filtering technologies for integrated fluorescence sensors," Lab Chip, 7 (8), 955-977 (2007).

2. N. Nelson, D. Sander, M. Dandin, S. B. Prakash, A. Sarje, and P. Abshire, "Handheld fluorometers for lab-on-a-chip applications", IEEE Trans. Biomed. Circuits Syst., 3 (2), 97-107 (2009). (Invited contribution)

3. M. Dandin, A. Akturk, B. Nouri, N. Goldsman, and P. Abshire, "Characterization of single-photon avalanche diodes in a 0.5 µm standard CMOS process – Part 1: Perimeter breakdown suppression", IEEE Sens. J., 10 (11), 1682–1690 (2010).

4. M. Dandinand P. Abshire, "High signal-to-noise ratio avalanche diodes with perimeter field gate and active readout", IEEE Electron Device Lett., 33 (4), 570–572 (2012).

5. M. Dandin, P. Abshire, and E. Smela, "Polymer filters for ultraviolet-excited integrated fluorescence sensing," J. Micromech. Microeng., 22, 095018 (2012).

Eugene Daneshvar
Summer 2008 – Fall 2014
edaneshv@umich.edu

co-advised student
advisors: Daryl Kipke, Khalil Najafi
Dept. of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Michigan

Thesis Title: Conjugated Polymer Actuators for Articulating Neural Probes and Electrode Interfaces

Journal Publications:

1. E. D. Daneshvar and E. Smela, "Characterization of conjugated polymer actuation under cerebral physiological conditions," Adv. Healthcare Mater. 3(7), 1026–1035 (2014).

Timir Datta
tdatta@umd.edu
Electrical Engineering
co-supervisor: Pamela Abshire, Electrical and Computer Engineering
June. 2009 – May 2015
Currently: Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Winner of the Graduate All-STAR Fellowship in 2013, a university-wide competition to to honor graduate students who are both outstanding scholars and outstanding graduate assistants.

Selected as a finalist in 2011 in the Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship competition.

Research Topic: Cell-based sensing

Journal Publications:

1. T. Datta-Chaudhuri, P. Abshire, and E. Smela, "Packaging commercial CMOS chips for lab on a chip integration," Lab Chip, 14 (10), 1753 - 1766 (2014).

2. T. Datta-Chaudhuri, E. Smela, and P. Abshire, "System-on-chip considerations for heterogeneous integration of CMOS and fluidic bio-interfaces," IEEE Trans. Biomed. Circ. Syst., 10 (6), 1129-1142 (2016). doi 10.1109/TBCAS.2016.2522402

3. T. Datta-Chaudhuri, R. C. Araneda, P. Abshire, and E. Smela, "Olfaction on a chip," Sens. Act. B, 235 (Nov), 74–78 (2016). doi:10.1016/j.snb.2016.05.048

Im Deok Jung
jid99@pusan.ac.kr
Fall 2008 – May 2015
Joint degree program with Pusan National University
co-supervisor: Jong Soo Ko, Mechanical Engineering
Pusan National University, Korea

Research Topic: Mechanical protection of superhydrophobic surfaces

Journal Publications from UMD:

1. I. D. Jung, M. C. Lee, H. Lim, E. Smela, and J. S. Ko, "Microbumpers maintain superhydrophobicity of nanostructured surfaces upon touch," Appl. Surf. Sci., 349, 705–714 (2015).

Journal Publications from PNU:

1. I. D. Jung, M. K. Cho, K. M. Bae, S. M. Lee, P. G. Jung, H. K. Kim, S. S. Kim, and J. S. Ko, "Pixel-structured scintillator with polymeric microstructures for x-ray image sensors," ETRI J., 30 (5), 747-749 (2008).

2. I. D. Jung, M. K. Cho, S. M. Lee, K. M. Bae, P. G. Jung, C. H. Lee, J. M. Lee, S. Yun, H. K. Kim, S. S. Kim, and J. S. Ko, "Flexible Gd2O2S: Tb scintillators pixelated with polyethylene microstructures for digital x-ray image sensors," J. Micromech. Microeng., 19 (1) (2009).

Mark Kujawski
Feb. 2008 – May 2011
Currently: Sr. Research Scientist, Thermoplastic Polyurethane Department,
BASF, Michigan
mark.kujawski@basf.com

Materials Science and Engineering
Thesis Title: Polymer Composites for Sensing and Actuation

Journal Publications:

1. M. Kujawski, J. D. Pearse, and E. Smela, "Elastomers filled with exfoliated graphite as compliant electrodess," Carbon 48 (9), 2409-2417 (2010).

2. J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).

Yingkai Liu
Jan. 2001 – June 2005
Currently: Entegris Inc., www.entegris.com

Mechanical Engineering

Thesis Title: Fabrication and Characterization of Polypyrrole/Gold Bilayer Micro-Actuators for Bio-MEMS Applications

Journal Publications:

1. Y. Liu, Q. Gan, S. Baig, and E. Smela, "Improving PPy adhesion by surface roughening," J. Phys. Chem. C, 111 (30), 11329-11338 (2007).

Yonatan Saadon
Aug. 2016 – Aug. 2017
Currently: CALCE, Mechanical Engineering, UMD

Mechanical Engineering

research topic: smart bra for breast cancer detection

Journal Publications:

Deepa Sritharan
Sept. 2009 – summer 2017
Currently: FDA
deepa.sritharan@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineering
Thesis Title: Electroosmotic Soft Actuators

Journal Publications:

1. D. Sritharan, A. S. Chen, P. Aluthgama, B. Naved, and E. Smela, "Bubble-free electrokinetic flow with propylene carbonate," Electrophoresis 36, 2622–2629 (2015).

2. D. Sritharan and E. Smela, "Fabrication of a miniature paper-based electroosmotic actuator," Polymers, 8 (11), 400 (2016). doi:10.3390/polym8110400

Mario Urdaneta
Jan. 2003 – Aug. 2007,
then postdoc Aug-Oct 2007
Currently: Weinberg Medical Physics LLC

Mechanical Engineering

Thesis Title: Design of a Dielectrophoretic Cell Loading Device
Thesis nominated by Mechanics and Materials Division for Best Dissertation Award, 2008.

Journal Publications:

1. M. Urdaneta and E. Smela, "The design of dielectrophoretic flow-through sorters using a figure of merit," J. Micromech. Microeng., 18 (available online), doi:10.1088/0960-1317/1018/1081/015001 (2008).

2. M. Urdaneta and E. Smela, "Parasitic trap cancellation using multiple frequency dielectrophoresis, demonstrated by loading cells into cages " Lab Chip , 8 (4), 550-556 (2008). This article was selected for inclusion in the RSC's Chemical Biology Research Articles virtual journal.

3. M. Urdaneta and E. Smela, "Multiple frequency dielectrophoresis," Electrophoresis, 28 (18), 3145-3155 (2007).

4. M. Urdaneta, R. Delille, and E. Smela, "Stretchable electrodes with high conductivity and photopatternability," Adv. Mater., 19 (18), 2629-2633 (2007).

5. S. B. Prakash, M. Urdaneta, M. Christophersen, E. Smela, and P. Abshire, "In situ electrochemical control of electroactive polymer films on a CMOS chip," Sens. Act. B, 129 (2), 699-704 (2008).

6. R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, S. Moseley, and E. Smela, "Benchtop polymer MEMS," J. Microelectromech. Syst., 15 (5), 1108-1120 (2006).

7. R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, K. Hsieh, and E. Smela, "Compliant electrodes based on platinum salt reduction in a urethane matrix," Smart Mater. Struct., 16 (2), S272 -279 (2007).

Xuezheng Wang
Aug. 2001 – Apr. 2007
Currently: Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP

Mechanical Engineering

Thesis Title: Understanding Actuation Mechanisms of Conjugated Polymer Actuators: Ion Transport

Journal Publications:

1. X. Wang, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Visualizing ion transport in conjugated polymers," Adv. Mater., 16 (18), 1605-1609 (2004).

2. X. Wang and E. Smela, "Color and volume change in PPy(DBS)," J. Phys. Chem. C, 113 (1), 359-368 (2009).

3. X. Wang and E. Smela, "Experimental studies of ion transport in PPy(DBS)," J. Phys. Chem. C, 113 (1), 369–381 (2009).

4. X. Wang B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Development of a model for charge transport in conjugated polymers," J. Phys. Chem. C, 113 (1), 382-401 (2009).

X. Wang, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Model predictions of behavior during reduction of cation-transporting conjugated polymer films," in preparation.

X. Wang, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Model predictions of behavior during oxidation of cation-transporting conjugated polymer films," in preparation.

member photo

Vytenis Benetis
co-advisor: Michael Ohadi, Mechanical Engineering
June 2001 – June 2005
Currently: Lithuania

Mechanical Engineering
Thesis Title: Experimental and Computational Investigation of Planar Ion Drag Micropump Geometrical Design Parameters

Top of Page

Alumni - Postdocs (alphabetical order)
	Jeffrey M. Burke Dec. 2009 - Jan. 2013 jeffreym.burke@gmail.com Research Topics: Cell-based sensing, sample preparation Journal publications: 1. J. M. Burke and E. Smela, "A novel surface modification technique for forming porous polymer monoliths in PDMS," Biomicrofluidics, 6 (1), 16506 (2012). 2. B. Balakrisnan, A. Nacev, J. M. Burke, A. Dasgupta, and E. Smela, "Design of compliant meanders for applications in MEMS, actuators, and flexible electronics," Smart Mater. Struct., 21, 075033 (2012). 3. J. M. Burke, R. E. Zubajlo, E. Smela, and I. M. White, "High-throughput particle separation and concentration using spiral inertial filtration," Biomicrofluidics, 8(2), 024105 (2014).
	Marc Christophersen Nov. 2004 – Jan. 2007 Research Topic: Cell-based sensing Journal Publications: 1. M. Christophersen, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Characterization and modeling of PPy bilayer microactuators. Part 1: Curvature," Sens. Act. B, 115, 596-609 (2006). 2. S. B. Prakash, M. Urdaneta, M. Christophersen, E. Smela, and P. Abshire, "In situ electrochemical control of electroactive polymer films on a CMOS chip," Sens. Act. B, 129 (2), 699-704 (2008).
	Daniel Gowetski Sept. 2012 – May 2013 Currently: Glaxo Smith Klein, Rockville dgowe@umd.edu Research Topic: 2D-PCR
	Peyschuan Jian March 2004 – June 2005 Currently: Army Research Lab peyschuan.jian@us.army.mil Research Topic: Fiber optic sensing of changes in index of refraction Journal Publications: 1. P.-S. Jian and E. Smela, "Modeling the performance of a long-period Bragg grating ambient-index sensor," Smart Mater. Struct., 15, 821-828 (2006).
	Disha Pant July 2010 - Dec. 2013 dpant@umd.edu Research Topic: 2D PCR
	Sheetal Patil March 2007 – Feb. 2008 Currently: IIT Bombay Research Topics: Effects of nanoparticles on cells; dielectric elastomer actuators Journal Publications: 1. B. Balakrisnan, S. Patil, E. Smela, "Patterning PDMS using a combination of wet and dry etching," J. Micromech. Microeng., 19, 047002 (2009).
	Menake Piyasena menake@umd.edu June 2007 – June 2009 currently: University of New Mexico, Center for Biomedical Engineering Research Topics: Nastic actuators, microfluidics for cell-based sensing Journal Publications: 1. M. E. Piyasena, R. Newby, T. J. Miller, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Electroosmotically driven microfluidic cells," Sens. Act. B, 141, 263-9 (2009).
	Ahmed Ramadan ramadana@msu.edu Sept. 2018 – June 2019 currently: University of Maryland School of Medicine co-supervisor: Anindo Roy, University of Maryland School of Medicine Research Topic: Soft tactile sensing for therapeutic robotics Journal Publications: 1. A. Ramadan, A. Roy, and E. Smela, "Recognizing hemiparetic ankle deficits using wearable pressure sensors," IEEE J. Trans. Eng. Health Med., 7, 1-3 (2019).
	Yibing Zhang July 2003 – Feb. 2004 Currently: postdoc fellow at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Research Topic: Fiber optic sensing of changes in index of refraction
	Lei Young lyoung74@umd.edu Dec. 2012 - Dec. 2013 Research Topic: Miniaturization of 2D-PCR
	Ephraim Zegeye ezegeye@gmail.com Dec. 2015 - Dec. 2016 Research Topic: Piezoresistive tactile sensors

Top of Page

Alumni - MS Students (alphabetical order)
	Akshay Bajaj October 2017 - May 2018 akshaybj0221@gmail.com Currently: Matternet, CA M.Eng., Robotics Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Rahul Subramonian Bama sb.rahul@hotmail.com M.Eng., Robotics October 2017 - August 2020 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection, microfluidic sheath flow
	Remi Delille Aug. 2002 – Aug. 2006 Currently: Cree Inc., www.cree.com Mechanical Engineering Thesis Title: Development and Characterization of High-Strain Electrodes Journal Publications: 1. R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, S. Moseley, and E. Smela, "Benchtop polymer MEMS," J. Microelectromech. Syst., 15 (5), 1108-1120 (2006). 2. R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, K. Hsieh, and E. Smela, "Compliant electrodes based on platinum salt reduction in a urethane matrix," Smart Mater. Struct., 16 (2), S272 -279 (2007). 3. M. Urdaneta, R. Delille, and E. Smela, "Stretchable electrodes with high conductivity and photopatternability," Adv. Mater., 19 (18), 2629-2633 (2007).
	Steve Fanning Aug. 2002 – Aug. 2005 Mechanical Engineering Thesis Title: Characterization of Polypyrrole/Gold Bilayers for Micro-Valve Design
	Yunhan Huang hyh@umd.edu Sept. 2008 – Sept. 2009 Currently: working with Dr. Ravi Doraiswami, CALCE Research Topic: Dielectric elastomer actuators
	Meghana Madarkal meghana.madarkal@gmail.com M.Eng., Robotics Oct. 2018 - Feb. 2020 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Likhita Madiraju likhita.madiraju@gmail.com M.Eng., Robotics June 2018 - June 2019 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Sam Moseley May 2003 – Aug. 2005 Currently: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Research topic: Dielectric elastomer actuators Journal Publications: 1. R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, S. Moseley, and E. Smela, "Benchtop polymer MEMS," J. Microelectromech. Syst., 15 (5), 1108-1120 (2006).
	Ayush Nankani ayush.nankani11@gmail.com M.S., Mechanical Engineering June 2018 - Dec. 2020 Thesis Title: EIT Based Piezoresistive Tactile Sensors: A Simulation Study
	Hyo “Lance” Oh Jan. 2002 – Nov. 2003 Currently: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mechanical Engineering Thesis Title: Development of a Micro-Valve Actuated by Polypyrrole/Gold Bilayers
	Justin Pearse May 2009 – May 2012 Currently: Bell Helicopter Mechanical Engineering Thesis Title: Towards the Use of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators as Locomotive Devices for Millimeter-Scale Robots Journal Publications: 1. M. Kujawski, J. D. Pearse, and E. Smela, "Elastomers filled with exfoliated graphite as compliant electrodess," Carbon 48 (9), 2409-2417 (2010).
	Natasha Reeves co-advisor: Pamela Abshire, Electrical and Computer Engineering Aug. 2003 – Feb. 2004 Currently: Second Sight Medical Products http://www.linkedin.com/in/natashareeves Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Topic: Cell-based sensing
	Ajeet Wankhede ajeet@terpmail.umd.edu M.Eng., Robotics October 2017 - June 2019 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Jason West co-advisor: Ben Shapiro, Aerospace Engineering Sept. 2006 – May 2008 Currently: D&R International, www.drintl.com Materials Science and Engineering Thesis Title: Chronoamperometric Study of Conformational Relaxation in PPy(DBS) Journal Publications: 1. B. J. West, T. F. Otero, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Chronoamperometric study of conformational relaxation in PPy(DBS)," J. Phys. Chem. B, 113 (5), 1277–1293 (2009). Jason was also active in Engineers Without Borders http://www.mepp.umd.edu/news/news_story.php?id=1897

Top of Page

Alumni - Visitors (alphabetical order)
	Maria Bassil Fulbright Visiting Scholar Spring 2012 Lebanese University, Department of Physics Research Topic: Gel actuators
	Gradimir Georgevich, PhD gradimirg@gmail.com consultant 2014 - 2019 Research Topic: Mapping nucleic acid in tissue sections
	Jong Soo Ko sabbatical Feb. 2012 - Jan 2013 School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, Seoul, Korea mems@pusan.ac.kr, http://mems.me.pusan.ac.kr Research Topic: MEMS co-supervisor of Im Deok Jung ( UMD/PNU PhD Dual Degree Program)

Top of Page

Alumni - Research Volunteers, Other

Robert Newby
newby.robert@gmail.com
Mechanical Engineering, UMCP
Jan. 2008 – Fall 2008, summer 2009, summer 2013, spring 2014
Winner of the 2008 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Senior Award
Currently: NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology

Research Topics: Nastic actuators, cell-based sensing

Journal Publications:

1. M. E. Piyasena, R. Newby, T. J. Miller, B. Shapiro, and E. Smela, "Electroosmotically driven microfluidic cells," Sens. Act. B, 141, 263-9 (2009).

Top of Page

Alumni - Recent Undergraduates, Interns, and High School Researchers (alphabetical order)
	Prabhath Aluthgama prabhath.aluthgama@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2013 - Spring 2015 currently: Havtech Inc. Research Topic: Electro-osmotic flow Journal Publications: 1. D. Sritharan, A. S. Chen, P. Aluthgama, B. Naved, and E. Smela, " Bubble-free electrokinetic flow with propylene carbonate," Electrophoresis 36, 2622–2629 (2015).
	Kyle Archer karcher8193@hotmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Chantelle Artis University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Summer REU Program, 2009 Research Topic: Cell-based sensing
	Shermeen Baig Mechanical Engineering 2004 - 2005 Currently: Concurrent Technologies Corp. Research Topic: Adhesion of PPy to Au Journal Publications: Y. Liu, Q. Gan, S. Baig, and E. Smela, "Improving PPy adhesion by surface roughening," J. Phys. Chem. C, 111 (30), 11329-11338 (2007).
	Saphal Bhandari Biochemistry, UMCP Fall 2021 - Spring 2023 Research Topic: nose-on-a-chip
	Eli Barnett emichaelbarnett@gmail.com co-supervisor: Hugh Bruck Mathematics, UMCP Spring 2016 - Summer 2016 Research Topic: Tactile sensing of braille Journal Publications: E. M. Barnett, J. J. Lofton, M. Yu, H. Bruck, and E. Smela, "Targeted feature recognition using mechanical spatial filtering with a low-cost compliant strain sensor," Sci. Rep., 7 (5118) (2017).
	Kimberly Berlic Mechanical Engineering Summer 2012 Assistant to Dr. Smela Research Topic: Compliant strain gaugess
	Matthew Bleakney mb11196@yahoo.com, bleak1@umbc.edu Atholton High School, Columbia, MD ESTEEM Research Mentoring Program, UMBC Meyerhoff Scholars Program Summer 2013 - Spring 2014 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Abraham Simpson Chen abc1@umd.edu Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2012 Research Topic: Nastic actuators Journal Publication: 1. D. Sritharan, A. S. Chen, P. Aluthgama, B. Naved, and E. Smela, " Bubble-free electrokinetic flow with propylene carbonate," Electrophoresis 36, 2622–2629 (2015).
	Carlos Cuellar carcuel@terpmail.umd.edu Mechanical Engineering, UMCP June 2020 - May 2022 Research Topics: Robot skin, strain sensing for structural health monitoring Journal Publication: C. Cuellar, K. Watson, and E. Smela, "Fabrication, characterization, and repair of nanocarbon-loaded aircraft paint-based sensors for real-world SHM: Studies at the laboratory scale," Struct. Health Monit., under review (2023)
	Justin Di Palo Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Aug. 2010 Research Topic: Mechanical characterization of compliant electrodes
	Lee Dodds iamleedodds@gmail.com Poolesville High School Summer 2015 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Christian Eberly ceberly@terpmail.umd.edu co-supervisor: Ricardo Araneda Biology, UMCP Fall 2015 - Summer 2016 Research Topic: Mapping nucleic acid in tissue sections
	Alex Edgerton Mechanical Engineering Fall 2011- Summer 2012 Currently: Virginia Tech Research Topic: Compliant electrodes Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	Youssef El Minyawi youssefminyawi@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2015 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Nehemiah Emaikwu nemaikwu@terpmail.umd.edu Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 - Spring 2016 Currently: I. Takeuchi, Department of Materials Science and Engineering Fellowships through the LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program and through the SEEDS Research Fellows Program. Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for soft robots and flapping wing MAV
	Danielle Fallon River Hill High School Spring & Summer 2012 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	Frederic Fievet Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2012 Research Topic: Ion transport in PPy(DBS)
	Qi (Claire) Gan Mechanical Engineering Fall 2003 - 2005 Research Topic: Adhesion of PPy to Au Journal Publications: Y. Liu, Q. Gan, S. Baig, and E. Smela, "Improving PPy adhesion by surface roughening," J. Phys. Chem. C, 111 (30), 11329-11338 (2007).
	Deepak George dpak02@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Fall 2012 & Spring 2013 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Samuel Gollob samdgollob@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering Sept. 2018 - May 2019 Research Topic: BioNose on a chip
	Jesse T. Gonzalez jtgonz1@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Spring & Summer 2012 Research Topic: Dielectric elastomer actuators
	Faissal Hariri faissal.hariri@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014, October 2017 - May 2018 Research Topics: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV, smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Iver Jenstrom itjenstrom@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2015 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Elisabeth Kuespert bethkuespert@verizon.net Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Kwuangwen (Wen) Hsieh Mechanical Engineering 2003-2005 Conference Paper: R. Delille, M. Urdaneta, K. Hsieh, and E. Smela, "Novel compliant electrodes based on platinum salt reduction," SPIE 13th Annual Int'l. Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, EAPAD, San Diego, CA, (SPIE), vol. 6168, edited by Y. Bar-Cohen, p. 61681Q-61681 -61611 (Feb27 - Mar 2, 2006).
	Alex Huang ahuang1690@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, professional masters program Summer 2014 Research Topics: Nastic actuators, PPy ion transport
	Floriane Juliani Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2009 Research Topic: Ion transport in PPy(DBS)
	Zeynep Karakas z.n.karakas@gmail.com Physics, UMCP co-supervisor: Wolfgang Losert , Physics Summer 2013 - Spring 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain sensors Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	Loic Klein Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2012 Research Topic: Ion transport in PPy(DBS)
	Martin Kedzierski Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2009 Research Topic: Electrical conductivity of PPy(DBS)
	Neelanjan Lahiri nlahiri@berkeley.edu Mechanical Engineering, UC Berkeley Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Steven Lee steven.lee3@wilkes.edu REU student, Mech. Eng., Wilkes University Summer 2017 Research Topic: tactile skin for co-robots
	Nathalie Lefevre Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2009 Research Topic: Ion transport in PPy(DBS)
	Ryan Lentz rylentz98@gmail.com Poolesville High School Summer 2015 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Benjy Levi benjy.levi@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Dec. 2011 - Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	M. Vidhiaza Leviandhika vidhiaza@terpmail.umd.edu Materials Science and Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Grace Lin grceln@umd.edu Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Julian Lofton lofton.julian@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2015 Co-Supervisor: Dr. Hugh Bruck Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for soft robots
	Kevin McCright kevinmccright123@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering Summer 2017 Research Topic: tactile sensing for cancer detection
	Matthew McGraw Mechanical Engineering Fall 2018 Research Topic: Tactile sensing for robots
	Kaitlin J. Miller Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2010, 2011 Research Topics: Exfoliated-graphite/elastomer strain gauges, microfluidics
	Tom Miller Mechanical Engineering Sept. 2008 – Aug. 2009 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Ivan Mohammed Neurobiology & Physiology, UMCP Oct. 2021 - Oct. 2023 Research Topics: nose-on-a-chip
	Mylene Motsebo Mechanical Engineering Fall 2012 - Summer 2013 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Bilal Naved bilalnaved@gmail.com BioEngineering, UMCP Spring - Summer 2012 Research Topic: Nastic actuators Journal Publications: 1. D. Sritharan, A. S. Chen, P. Aluthgama, B. Naved, and E. Smela, " Bubble-free electrokinetic flow with propylene carbonate," Electrophoresis (in press) (2015).
	Tristan Neumann Bourges School of Engineering (ENSIB), France Summer Intern, 2010 Research Topic: Pressure-sensitive glove
	Ethan Nusbaum Mechanical Engineering Summer 2012 Research Topic: Dielectric elastomer actuators
	Manoutra Nayeck mnayeck@gmail.com BioEngineering, UMCP Summer 2012 - Summer 2013 Research Topic: Cell-based sensing
	Nick Papavizas nickpapa91@verizon.net Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2012, Summer 2013 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	Margaret Pearce mapearce@ucsc.edu REU student, BioEng., UC Santa Cruz Summer 2017 Research Topic: electroosmostic pumping of propylene carbonate
	Xavier Pelle ENSEEIHT, Toulouse, France Summer Intern, 2010 Research Topic: "Osmoboat"
	Lindsay Reiter lcreiter51@gmail.com BioEngineering Fall 2018 Research Topic: BioNose on a chip
	Kamiyar Rezvani krezvani@terpmail.umd.edu Microbiology, UMCP Spring 2015 - Summer 2016 Research Topic: Mapping nucleic acid in tissue sections
	Jay Schaefer Engineering Sept. 2008– Aug. 2010 Assistant to Dr. Smela
	Shirley Shi sshi4175@gmail.com Electrical Engineering April 2018 - Dec 2019 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Brent Snyder blizzardwater@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics Feb. 2011– Aug. 2012 Currently: UT Dallas Research Topic: Compliant electrodes
	Rebecca Stevick rjstevick@gmail.com BioEngineering, UMCP Summer 2012 Research Topic: Cell-based sensing
	James A. Tigue jtigue10@msn.com Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho Summer 2014 Co-Supervisor: Dr. Hugh Bruck Currently: University of Utah Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Julia Tumbic Syracuse University, L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science NSF REU Student, Summer 2012 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Justin Turner Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2013 Research Topic: Nastic actuators
	Raymond Wang high school student, Hopkins School, New Haven, CT Summer 2017 Research Topic: tactile sensing for cancer detection
	Lauren White Mechanical Engineering Spring 2008 A. James Clark School of Engineering Dean's List Dec. 2007 – May 2008 Currently: Department of the Navy, North Carolina co-supervisor: Sean Humbert , Aerospace Engineering Research Topic: Hooks to hold fruit flies in a magnetic field
	James Wissman Mechanical Engineering Fall 2011- Summer 2012 Currently: Carnegie Mellon Research Topic: Compliant electrodes Journal Publications: J. Wissman, A. Perez-Rosado, A. Edgerton, B. M. Levi, Z. N. Karakas, M. Kujawski, A. Philipps, N. Papavizas, D. Fallon, H. A. Bruck, and E. Smela, "New compliant strain gauges for self-sensing dynamic deformation of flapping wings on miniature air vehicles," Smart Mater. Struct., 22 085031 (2013).
	Hudson (Zepeng) Ye hudsonmars01@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering November 2017 - May 2021 Research Topic: Smart bra for breast cancer detection
	Daniel Yoo perusian326@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Kaitlyn Watson kwatson4@terpmail.umd.edu BioEngineering, UMCP June 2020 - May 2022 Research Topic: Odorant gas handling system, strain sensing for structural health monitoring Journal Publications: C. Cuellar, K. Watson, and E. Smela, "Fabrication, characterization, and repair of nanocarbon-loaded aircraft paint-based sensors for real-world SHM: Studies at the laboratory scale," Struct. Health Monit., under review (2023).
	Brianna Woodbury brianna.woodbury@uconn.edu Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut Summer 2015 Research Topic: Mapping nucleic acid in tissue sections
	Vincent Wu vwu@terpmail.umd.edu Mechanical Engineering, UMCP Summer 2014 Research Topic: Compliant strain gauges for flapping wing MAV
	Nariman Ziaee ziaeen@yahoo.com BioEngineering, UMCP Summer 2013 Research Topic: 2D-PCR
	Rebecca Zubajlo rzubajlo@terpmail.umd.edu BioEngineering, UMCP Spring & Summer 2012 Research Topic: Microfluidic sorting and concentration Journal Publications: J. M. Burke, R. E. Zubajlo, E. Smela, and I. M. White, "High-throughput particle separation and concentration using spiral inertial filtration," Biomicrofluidics, 8(2), 024105 (2014).

Top of Page

Alumni - Earlier Undergraduate Researchers (alphabetical order)
2002 - 2003	Abraham Daiub
2004 - 2005	Matthias Duerkop
2002	Vikansha Dwivedi
2003 - 2004	Michael Furst
2007	Matthias Irmscher
2004	Eric Jones
2002	Jason LeBlanc
2005	Svetlana Litvinova
2002 - 2003	Selin Mariadhas
2004	Steve Mitchell
2001 - 2002	Marco Nehmitz
2004-2005	Bukola Olagbaju
2006	Sebastian Perez
2007-2008	Liz Wabik
RISE Summer 2002	Angela Bryl Stephanie Gauby Caitlin Roberts Kriti Srivastava
RISE Summer 2004	Colleen Gavigan Rachael Germansky Karen Guralnick Kathy Ha

Top of Page

On this Page...

Alumni

PhD Students
Postdocs
MS Students
Visitors
Other Research Volunteers
Undergraduate Researchers

Additional Resources

Current Group Members

About Dr. Smela

Page last updated: January 10, 2024