Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju's lab at the University of Washington focuses on improving HIV prevention and treatment for adolescent girls and young women. They are developing a fast and inexpensive test that can be used in local clinics and pharmacies to measure HIV drug levels in patients. This technology aims to provide real-time feedback to patients and healthcare providers, helping to ensure that individuals adhere to their HIV medication regimens more effectively.

Dr. Nancy L. Allbritton's lab focuses on cutting-edge research in bioengineering to understand and combat cancer. They develop innovative microdevices and biomaterials to explore cellular behaviors in leukemia and colorectal cancer. By studying how lipid signaling and the tumor microenvironment affect cancer progression, the lab aims to improve treatment precision and patient outcomes.

Dr. Michalakis Averkiou's lab at the University of Washington focuses on improving treatments for liver cancer by using an innovative combination of ultrasound techniques and mechanotherapeutic drugs. Their goal is to enhance the delivery of chemotherapy to tumors, helping to overcome challenges posed by the tumor microenvironment. This research aims to make cancer treatments more effective and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Elizabeth A Nance's lab at the University of Washington focuses on developing therapies for infants born prematurely, who often face serious neurological challenges. The lab uses advanced techniques in both cultured brain tissues and ferret models to explore how to combine various neuroprotective treatments to improve brain health and development in these vulnerable infants.

Dr. Andre Berndt's lab at the University of Washington focuses on developing advanced fluorescent sensors to monitor neuronal activity in the brain. By utilizing machine learning and high-throughput screening methods, the lab aims to create red fluorescent calcium and neuromodulator sensors that outperform existing green sensors in terms of stability and efficiency. This research is critical for advancing our understanding of brain functionality and addressing neurological disorders.

Dr. Amy L. Orsborn's lab focuses on enhancing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that help restore movement in paralyzed individuals. The research investigates how the interaction between brain activity and decoding algorithms can be optimized to maintain reliable BCI performance over extended use. By understanding and leveraging the brain's plasticity, the lab aims to create robust systems that can adapt to changing conditions and ensure long-term usability for real-world applications.

Dr. Ivan Pelivanov's lab focuses on advancing therapies for corneal diseases, specifically keratoconus, using innovative imaging techniques. The team is developing non-contact methods to assess corneal elasticity and geometry to improve surgical outcomes and personalize treatment plans. Their research bridges engineering and clinical needs to enhance our understanding of corneal mechanics and optimize care for patients with progressive eye diseases.

Dr. Patrick S. Stayton's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies for respiratory infections, particularly those caused by coronaviruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By utilizing advanced biomaterials and drug delivery systems, the lab aims to create inhalable treatments that can target lung infections effectively and improve outcomes for patients, especially in crises like pandemics. Their research seeks to revolutionize how we combat pulmonary pathogens through targeted drug delivery and combination therapies.

Dr. Albert Folch's lab focuses on advancing cancer treatment through innovative drug testing technologies. By integrating microfluidics with advanced biosensors, they aim to create platforms that simulate the tumor microenvironment, allowing for more accurate testing of cancer therapies. Their work strives to enhance personalized medicine and improve the success rate of drug therapies, especially immunotherapies.

Dr. Azadeh Yazdan Shahmorad's lab focuses on harnessing the brain's natural ability to change and reorganize itself, known as neuroplasticity. Through advanced engineering tools and techniques, the lab investigates how targeted stimulation of the sensory and motor areas of the brain can aid recovery after injuries, like strokes. Their work explores how precise control of brain activity can strengthen connections between neurons, promoting healing and rehabilitation.