This project closes on June 6, 2025. Applications are due by May 30, 2025.
The PANDA Lab @ UT Austin Biomedical Engineering is seeking undergraduate students to help refine and evaluate a compact heater and fluorescence reader device—originally developed and published in Science Advances by N. Panpradist et al., 2021, and now licensed for commercialization.
This device supports low-cost, point-of-care nucleic acid testing using isothermal amplification. You will contribute to hardware development by improving the existing prototype’s thermal stability, optical performance, and usability for real-world deployment.
Project Website
Qualifications
Desired Skills (Based on Existing Prototype)
Hardware & Electrical Systems
- Familiarity with circuit assembly and debugging (resistors, LEDs, photodiodes, MOSFETs, temperature sensors).
- Proficiency using multimeters, soldering tools, and following schematic diagrams.
- Understanding of heater control circuits and thermal management principles.
Optical Signal Detection
- Basic knowledge of fluorescence detection systems, including LED excitation and photodiode readout.
- Experience working with optical filters and light alignment to improve signal-to-noise ratios.
Mechanical Prototyping
- Comfortable with mechanical assembly involving 3D-printed housings, springs, and threaded components.
- CAD design (e.g., Fusion 360 or SolidWorks) experience is a plus for minor hardware modifications.
Programming & Data Analysis (Optional)
- Embedded programming experience (e.g., ARM Cortex, PSoC, or Arduino).
- Python scripting for real-time data plotting and device interfacing.
Project Timeline
Project Timeline
- Start date: June 2025 (flexible around summer session)
- Duration: 10–12 weeks over Summer 2025, with possible extension into Fall 2025
- Time commitment: ~10–15 hours/week (flexible, depending on student availability)
Duties
What You’ll Do
- Assemble and test prototype units based on documented procedures.
- Evaluate and tune temperature control and optical performance.
- Collaborate on design improvements to support user-friendliness and field readiness.
Typical Time Commitment
10 hours/week (paid position)
Desired Length of Commitment
at least 2 semesters
