University at Buffalo (UB)
Development of Novel Biosensors and Tools for Monitoring Neurochemicals in the Body
Design and characterize novel biosensors for studying rapid changes of neurochemicals in the brain and organs.
Project description
Students will work with the mentor and graduate students to design and implement new types of electrochemistry-based sensors and ancillary tools to chronically monitor subsecond changes of catecholamines (e.g. dopamine and norepinephrine) and non-electroactive neurochemicals (e.g. glutamate) in a chemically complex environment in the peripheral and central nervous systems of test animals. Students will learn many techniques in electrochemistry and multi-disciplinary neurosciences and eventually be assigned mini-projects to apply these skills to. In years past students have received their own funding to perform their research and have presented at international conferences and/or continued in their graduate studies.
Project outcome
The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. Students will be expected to maintain a laboratory notebook and submit a biweekly report utilizing the scientific method.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Year-long (10-12 months) |
| Start time | Anytime |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-person |
| Level of collaboration | Small group project (2-3 students) |
| Benefits | Academic credit; Work study |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduates |
Goldwater and the National Science Foundation
Students participating in this project might be interested in and eligible for the Goldwater Scholarship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Connect with the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships to learn more.
Project mentor
Jinwoo Park
Assistant Professor
Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences
314 Farber, 3435 Main Street
Email: jinwoopa@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Students will be required to read project-related articles as outlined through a meeting with the project mentor.
Keywords
Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences