Ananya Pemaraj
Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Researcher
Boston University, WISE (Wireless Integrated Systems Engineering) Lab, Boston, MA
Bio
I am a junior at Boston University majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering. I currently work at the WISE Lab at Boston University and am helping develop a biosensor to measure bacterial growth, pH, and oxygen levels in a bioreactor. I measure electrical impedance signals to parameterize and calibrate the biosensor. Previously, I worked at the Green Labs developing fluorescent RNA aptamers for cell sensing and the Grinstaff Group prototyping adhesive hydrogels for internal wound healing. In addition to my research, I have participated in STEM Pathways, an undergraduate research program, for the past year.
Current Research
Parametrarizing Biosensor for Detection of Cell Growth
At WISE Labs, I measure electrical impedance and electrochemical signals from Marinobacter and E. coli and identify frequencies that mark bacterial growth and death phases. I utilize my background in cell culture work and synthetic biology with my recent work in electrical engineering to develop protocols for biological and electrical teams.
I have gained multiple skills from working here. I am proficient in analyzing electrical impedance, cyclic voltametry, and open potentiometry data. I have also developed protocols to take data with the potentiostat and LCR meter and am proficient in using Labview and PSTrace to program these devices. I fully automated the measurements and plotting using MATLAB, Python, and PSTrace software to streamline data collection and analysis. Additionally, I created a comprehensive results spreadsheet to improve communication between the electrical and biological teams and scale up experiments to include the eVOLVER.