(4kt) Unobtrusive Biosensing Platforms for Personalized Health Monitoring

Research Background

The intersection of engineering innovation and healthcare is rapidly transforming how we monitor and understand human health. As an engineer with a profound interest in the mechanisms of the human body, my work has focused on developing non-invasive biosensor technologies for real-time health assessment. Traditional health monitoring methods, such as blood and urine tests, are invasive and offer only episodic insights, whereas wearable devices like the Apple Watch provide continuous but limited data, mainly tracking physical indicators without biochemical analysis. My research aims to bridge this gap by advancing sensor technologies for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of biofluids like sweat, gastrointestinal fluids, and saliva, offering a new paradigm in personalized healthcare.

After attaining a BS in Electrical Engineering, I pursued a PhD in Medical Engineering, where I specialized in electrochemical biosensors, focusing on wearable sweat sensor technologies. This involved creating sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity for various biomarkers, developing low power consumption electronics for battery-free operation, and utilizing sustainable energy sources. During my postdoctoral research, I expanded into ingestible devices for monitoring biomarkers within the gastrointestinal tract, yielding insights into the effects of diet on biochemical profiles and, by extension, cognition and behavior.

Research Interest 1. Non-invasive Investigation of the Gastrointestinal Tract: My proposed research continues this trajectory, aiming to develop sensor platforms for home-based health examination to enhance personalized healthcare. This involves the creation of devices for detailed, non-invasive investigation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is still a relatively uncharted domain in health monitoring. Leveraging ingestible technology, I plan to explore the gut-brain axis further by studying the impact of diet on gastrointestinal metabolism and cognitive/behavioral outcomes. An innovative aspect of my approach is the design of an ingestible capsule system for prolonged, site-specific monitoring within the intestines, a breakthrough in understanding and managing gastrointestinal health. My research also plans to address the need for targeted therapy within the gastrointestinal tract. By integrating sensor technology with advanced materials, I aim to develop a system capable of detecting inflammation or hemorrhage and delivering localized drug treatments. This approach promises to minimize side effects and enhance therapeutic efficacy, representing a leap forward in gastrointestinal healthcare.

Research Interest 2. Advanced Manufacturing Techniques for Wearable Devices: In the realm of wearable technologies, I propose advancing the fabrication of sweat sensors using 3D printing to create disposable, eco-friendly devices for comprehensive health monitoring. This approach addresses the challenges of cost, comfort, and scalability, making real-time health monitoring more accessible and sustainable.

Research Interest 3. Mouthguard Sensor Platform for Performance Monitoring: Lastly, my research explores the potential of integrating sensor technology into mouthguards for athletes, leveraging saliva as a diagnostic fluid to monitor health and performance biomarkers in real-time. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and performance of athletes by providing critical insights into hydration levels, metabolic stress, and recovery processes.

Selected publications († indicates equal contributions)

1. Min, J.†, Demchyshyn, S.†, Sempionatto, J. R., Song, Y., Hailegnaw, B., Xu, C., Yang, Y., Solomon, S., Putz, C., Lehner, L., Schwarz, J. F., Schwarzinger, C., Scharber, M., Shirzaei Sani, E., Kaltenbrunner, M., & Gao, W. (2023). An autonomous wearable biosensor powered by a perovskite solar cell. Nature Electronics, 6, 630-641.
2. Min, J.†, Tu, J.†, Xu, C.†, Lukas, H.†, Shin, S., Yang, Y., Solomon, S. A., Mukasa, D., & Gao, W. (2023). Skin-interfaced wearable sweat sensors for precision medicine. Chemical Reviews, 123, 5049–5138.
3. Song, Y.†, Min, J.†, Yu, Y., Wang, H., Yang, Y., Zhang, H., & Gao, W. (2020). Wireless battery-free wearable sweat sensor powered by human motion. Science Advances, 6(40), eaay9842.
4. Wang, M.†, Yang, Y.†, Min, J.†, Song, Y., Tu, J., Mukasa, D., Ye, C., Xu, C., Heflin, N., & McCune, J. S. (2022). A wearable electrochemical biosensor for the monitoring of metabolites and nutrients. Nature Biomedical Engineering, 6, 1225–1235.
5. Tu, J., Min, J., Song, Y., Xu, C., Li, J., Moore, J., Hanson, J., Hu, E., Parimon, T., Wang, T.-Y., Davoodi, E., Chou, T.-F., Chen, P., Hsu, J. J., Rossiter, H. B., Gao, W. (2023) A wireless patch for the monitoring of C-reactive protein in sweat, Nature Biomedical Engineering, 14, 15.

Teaching Experience & Interests

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that sparking an interest in science and engineering within students is pivotal. This philosophy emphasizes engagement and the relevance of education, underlining the importance of not just understanding fundamental principles but also recognizing their practical applications. My own academic journey, characterized by a transition from Electrical to Medical Engineering and extensive experience in developing non-invasive sensor technologies, significantly informs my teaching approach. By integrating real-world examples and hands-on experiences into core engineering courses, I aim to demonstrate the tangible impacts of engineering concepts on addressing real-world challenges.

My foray into teaching began as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I guided students through the practical aspects of integrated circuit fabrication. This hands-on course not only provided students with unique insights into the semiconductor manufacturing process but also reinforced my belief in the importance of experiential learning. Continuing this path at Caltech, I contributed to several medical technology courses, fostering multidisciplinary learning and innovation among students. My role extended beyond teaching to mentoring, where I supported diverse groups of students, guiding them through research projects that culminated in significant academic and professional achievements, including publications and further studies at prestigious institutions.

One of my main ambitions is to design a lab course centered on interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on the creation of a point-of-care electrochemical sensor system. This course would offer students practical experience in biomedical device design and electrochemistry, emphasizing the impact of engineering solutions in healthcare.