The 25th annual UC Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium was held at UC Irvine from June 17-18, 2025, which united distinguished professionals, researchers, and students from across University of California campuses to showcase their latest advancements and discoveries. Various UCLA Bioengineering faculty and students who attended the event had the opportunity to share their cutting-edge research and ideas that are shaping the future of bioengineering.
We would like to highlight those who represented our department! Below are faculty speakers, student speakers and student poster presenters who were in attendance!
Invited Speaker
Molecular programming of RNA for structure, function, and applications
Jaimie Marie Stewart, Ph.D., UCLA,
Assistant Professor
Shu Chien Speaker
Engineering pathways models emphasize downstream proteins for understanding clinical outcomes
Jennifer Wilson, Ph.D., UCLA,
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Shu Chien Speaker
Developing novel infectious disease diagnostic technologies for global impact
Mireille Kamariza, Ph.D., UCLA,
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Other Selected Speakers:
Synthetic, Systems, and Computational Biology (Session Chair: Prof. Mohamad Abedi, Incoming Professor, UCLA)
Student Speakers:
- Cayden Williamson, UCLA: Hollow-shelled microparticles for high-throughput picking of natural product-producing yeast colonies using flow cytometry
- Gyeo-Re Han, UCLA: Deep learning-enhanced chemiluminescence vertical flow assay for high-sensitivity troponin testing
- Lily Shang, UCLA: Mechanobiology-Informed Vaccine Platforms: Integrating YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 Pathways to Enhance Immune Responses
Student Poster Presenters:
Amanda Weckerly, Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Kamei
Research Title: First fully automated device for integration of aqueous two-phase systems
with lateral-flow immunoassays for improved detection
with lateral-flow immunoassays for improved detection
Abstract: Two major water pollutant categories are microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, and organic chemicals, such as atrazine. Although laboratory-based assays effectively detect water contaminants, they are costly, require trained personnel, and exhibit a long time to result. This limits the continuous monitoring necessary for preventing waterborne disease outbreaks. An alternative is the lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) as it is rapid, inexpensive, and easy to use. However, LFAs are less sensitive and the dilute concentrations of targets in water samples pose a challenge. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) can preconcentrate targets into one of the two phases prior to applying a set volume of that phase to the LFA. However, with this approach, the fold-concentration achieved depends on the ratio between the top and bottom phases (volume ratio; VR), which can significantly vary with the salt content in water. To address this problem, we applied the entire target-containing phase to an LFA, rather than a set volume, and demonstrated that the same limit of detection (LOD) can be obtained, irrespective of the VR. Since this method required multiple user steps which limit its use in point-of-need settings, we also developed the first fully automated device for detecting the ATPS interface regardless of the VR, extracting the entire target-containing phase, and dispensing it onto an LFA. The automated process yielded a consistent 10-fold improvement in the LOD for both Escherichia coli and atrazine, providing results within 30 min, and offering an efficient solution for monitoring water quality.
Teagan Carr, Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Kamei
Research Title: Development of an Automated Device for Digoxin Detection and Quantification Utilizing Dried Blood Spots and a Lateral-Flow Immunoassay
Abstract: Approximately 6.7 million patients suffer from heart failure and this number greatly increases in resource-limited areas. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is a common drug used to treat heart failure, but its effectiveness and safety depends on maintaining blood concentrations within a narrow therapeutic window of 1-2 ng/mL. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is therefore required, and to address the lack of TDM technology available for resource-limited settings, we developed a point-of-care friendly method leveraging dried blood spots (DBSs) for digoxin detection and quantification to be used in mobile clinic settings. Our device uses a lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) to detect digoxin and a custom-made smartphone app that utilizes standard algorithms to measure test line intensity and quantify drug concentration. To achieve clear variation in test line intensity in such a narrow range of concentrations, we incorporated magnetic nanoparticles decorated with primary antibodies, or magnetic nanoprobes (MNPs). These particles allow for the preconcentration of digoxin in the sample before its application on the LFA, resulting in approximately a 10-fold improvement in sensitivity. Finally, to reduce user steps and the need for trained personnel, an automated device was developed that resolubilizes the DBS’s contents, preconcentrates the sample over a magnet, removes the supernatant, and applies the sample to an LFA simply at the push of a single button. Furthermore, this app has been programmed to aid the clinician in reading the DBS cards’ contents such as patient name, collection date, and time to help track patient data..
Research Title: A fully automated device for the implementation of aqueous two-phase systems with lateral-flow immunoassays to improve detection of water contaminants
Abstract: Two major water pollutant categories are microorganisms like Escherichia coli and organic chemicals like atrazine. Although laboratory-based assays effectively detect water contaminants, they are costly, require trained personnel, and exhibit a long time to result. This limits the continuous monitoring necessary for preventing waterborne disease outbreaks. An alternative is the lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) as it is rapid, inexpensive, and easy to use. However, LFAs are less sensitive and the dilute concentrations of targets in water samples pose a challenge. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) can preconcentrate samples before application to the LFA into one of two phases, the degree of which depends on the ratio between the top and bottom phases (volume ratio; VR). However, when applying a set volume, the ATPSs efficacy in improving LFA sensitivity is affected by the varying salt content of water sources because they cause VR fluctuations. To address this, we apply the entire target-containing phase to an LFA, rather than a set volume, and demonstrate that the same limit of detection (LOD) can be obtained, irrespective of the VR. This method requires multiple user steps, however, limiting its use in point-of-need settings. This work outlines the development of the first fully automated device for detecting the ATPS interface regardless of the VR, extracting the entire target-containing phase, and dispensing it onto an LFA. The automated process yields a consistent 10-fold improvement in the LOD for both Escherichia coli and atrazine, providing results within 30 min, and offering an efficient solution for monitoring water quality.
Harin Sim, Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor: Jeffery Hsu
Research Title: Low-Cost Artery-on-a-Chip to Study Exercise-Induced Shear Stress in Arterial Calcification
Abstract: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common form of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery calcification (CAC), a hallmark of CAD, has traditionally been linked to genetic factors and sedentary behavior. However, recent studies report a high prevalence of CAC in lifelong endurance athletes, despite their otherwise favorable cardiovascular profiles. The mechanisms underlying this paradox—particularly the impact of chronic, exercise-induced shear stress on vascular cells—remain poorly understood. Although shear stress plays a central role in endothelial function and vascular remodeling, its effects under physiologically relevant arterial conditions have been difficult to study due to the lack of accessible in vitro models that offer both accurate modeling of the human coronary artery and precise experimental control. Conventional fabrication methods for microfluidic devices, such as soft lithography or parylene coating, require cleanroom facilities and specialized expertise, limiting broader adoption. To address these barriers, we developed a low-cost, modular Artery-on-a-Chip (AoC) platform fabricated using resin-based 3D-printed molds and PDMS, with assembly requiring only standard laboratory tools and minimal training. The device features a porous membrane separating dual flow channels, enabling co-culture of endothelial and smooth muscle cells and mimicking the spatial structure of the arterial wall. DAPI staining confirmed monolayer formation of endothelial cells on the membrane. The system is compatible with commercial peristaltic pumps and costs less than $6 per unit. This platform offers a physiologically relevant and experimentally controllable model for investigating flow-mediated signaling and vascular calcification, particularly in endurance athletes, and supports broader cardiovascular research.
Graduate Students
Zijun Feng, Master’s Student
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Kamei
Research Title: Development of Semi-Quantitative Paper-Based Device for Leptomeningeal Disease Detection
Abstract: N/A
Frances Nicklen, Ph.D. Student
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Kamei
Research Title: Expanding the class of aqueous two-phase systems that can be combined with the lateral-flow immunoassay with incorporation of enzymes
Abstract: Many infectious diseases are diagnosed via proteins in bodily fluids. Due to the prevalence and spread of communicable diseases, rapid and accessible testing is imperative for minimizing transmission and improving patient outcomes. The lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) has successfully met this need, exemplified by COVID-19 tests, but it suffers from low sensitivity. We previously implemented polymer-salt and micellar aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) to preconcentrate targets into one of the phases before LFA application, yielding improved sensitivity for various targets. Another class of ATPSs that have been neglected for this purpose are polymer-polymer ATPSs, such as the one comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and dextran. Although used in bioseparations, the highly viscous phases of this ATPS cause poor sample flow and invalid results when incorporated with LFAs. We leverage the enzyme dextranase to degrade dextran in the dextran-rich bottom phase (BP) before LFA application, effectively reducing the BP viscosity and promoting flow.
Shun Ye, Ph.D.Student
Faculty Advisor: Dino Di Carlo
Research Title: Mechanobiology-Informed Vaccine Platforms: Integrating YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 Pathways to
Enhance Immune Responses
Enhance Immune Responses
Abstract: Vaccines are among the most effective medical interventions, yet the search for safe, potent adjuvants persists. Biomaterial-based platforms offer tailored antigen delivery, controlled release, and immune modulation, enabling robust, targeted immune responses with minimal toxicity. However, the integration of immune cell-responsive mechanical cues remains underexplored. Recent findings highlight the YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 pathways as crucial mediators of mechanotransduction, influencing immune cell activation and function. We used knockout mice and activators to help illustrate these findings. We used mice with YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 in myeloid-specific cells and globally. We used flow cytometry and
single-cell RNA sequencing to identify populations. Our study delves into the role of these pathways in biomaterial-based vaccine platforms. When comparing antigen-free soft and stiff gels, we found that knocking out YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 in myeloid-specific cells and globally reduced the previously elevated neutrophil populations observed in stiffer gels. Interestingly, antibody production was unaffected by the anticipated myeloid-specific knockout, as myeloid cells like dendritic cells—primed at the site of the stiffer gel—are primarily responsible for antigen presentation. In Piezo1 global knockout mice, no significant difference in antibody production was observed, suggesting possible compensatory mechanisms involving other mechanosensing ion channels. However, when using a YAP/TAZ inhibitor, we observed a significant decrease in antibody production, indicating that YAP/TAZ might be the key mechanosensing signaling pathway utilized in this context. These results highlight the potential of YAP/TAZ activation as a novel strategy to improve antigen presentation and antibody production, thereby enhancing vaccine responses. By integrating these insights into biomaterial design, we aim to establish a new class of “”mechanobiology-informed”” vaccines capable of driving precisely tuned immune activation.
single-cell RNA sequencing to identify populations. Our study delves into the role of these pathways in biomaterial-based vaccine platforms. When comparing antigen-free soft and stiff gels, we found that knocking out YAP/TAZ and Piezo1 in myeloid-specific cells and globally reduced the previously elevated neutrophil populations observed in stiffer gels. Interestingly, antibody production was unaffected by the anticipated myeloid-specific knockout, as myeloid cells like dendritic cells—primed at the site of the stiffer gel—are primarily responsible for antigen presentation. In Piezo1 global knockout mice, no significant difference in antibody production was observed, suggesting possible compensatory mechanisms involving other mechanosensing ion channels. However, when using a YAP/TAZ inhibitor, we observed a significant decrease in antibody production, indicating that YAP/TAZ might be the key mechanosensing signaling pathway utilized in this context. These results highlight the potential of YAP/TAZ activation as a novel strategy to improve antigen presentation and antibody production, thereby enhancing vaccine responses. By integrating these insights into biomaterial design, we aim to establish a new class of “”mechanobiology-informed”” vaccines capable of driving precisely tuned immune activation.
Lily Shang, Ph.D. Student
Faculty Advisor: Dino Di Carlo
Research Title: Multiplexed Islet Autoantibody Detection via Vertical Flow Assay for Early Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
Abstract: The Lab-on-a-3D-Printer driven Ferrobots platform is a low-cost, fully automated digital microfluidic system that uses ferrofluid-infused magnetic droplets for precise droplet transport, mixing, heating, and imaging. By modifying a standard 3D printer with a multifunctional manipulation head and GUI control, the system enables programmable workflows for various assays. It demonstrates high-speed droplet handling, accurate dispensing, and reliable performance in serial dilutions and magnetic bead separation. Rapid chip fabrication and integrated imaging make it a practical tool for high-throughput experimentation. Future integration with AI LLMs aims to translate natural language into lab automation, and future assay development will expand applications in diagnostics and personalized medicine.
Check the gallery from the conference below!
