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APMS Colloquium

Thursday,November 6, 9:45-10:45 am

Prof. Thiagarajan Soundappan
Navajo Technical University

Empowering Future Scientists: Electrochemical Sensor Research and Undergraduate Training at Navajo Technical University

Abstract: Limited resources and access to centralized healthcare facilities within the Navajo Nation have emphasized the urgent need for low-cost, decentralized diagnostic tools. This talk will present our work on the simple and scalable fabrication of paper- based and laser-induced graphene electrodes for various electrochemical and biosensing applications. These platforms are designed for sensitive, selective detection of heavy metals, biomolecules, clinically relevant cancer biomarkers, and bisphenol (BP) compounds—an essential class of endocrine disruptors linked to environmental and health concerns. Using simple techniques such as hand coating, wax patterning (utilizing a commercial wax printer), and laser engraving, we engineered the sensors to be affordable, portable, and accessible, making them ideal for deployment in underserved and remote areas. This research also serves as a vital training opportunity for undergraduate students at Navajo Technical University, providing hands-on experience in electrochemistry research, sensor design, fabrication, and testing. Through this research, Navajo students are empowered to address real-world challenges in their communities, such as water contamination, exposure to endocrine disruptors, and early disease detection, thereby helping to bridge the gap between advanced research and local impact within the Navajo Nation.

Bio: Dr. Thiagarajan Soundappan is an Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, and Head of the Chemistry Department at Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint, NM. His research expertise spans several advanced fields, including electrochemical sensors, biosensors, flexible point-of-care diagnostics, wearable devices, and electrochemical energy storage. Dr. Soundappan earned his Ph.D. from the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (2005-2009), where he also gained valuable postdoctoral experience from 2009 to 2012. He furthered his postdoctoral work from 2012 to 2013 at The University of Texas at Austin in Prof. A.J. Bard's research group. He continued as a postdoctoral research associate at Washington University in St. Louis from 2013 to 2016. Dr. Soundappan has been honored with prestigious research awards from the NSF-PREM, USDA-NIFA, and USDOT.

Communication (Building 16) Room 119.
Join Via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/ColloqAPMSMIRA

Sponsored by:

• Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (¡MIRA!)
• Nanotechnology Collaborative Infrastructure Southwest (NCI-SW) and Arizona State University (ASU)

For more information please contact APMS at APMS@nau.edu