Sandeep Kaur '11:
Nanotechnology Lays the Foundation for Bioengineering Research
Sandeep Kaur ’11 wants to make a tangible difference in people's lives – a simple but lofty goal that she has been working toward her entire undergraduate career. “My engineering classes have always promoted the concept of ‘engineering with a mission,’” said this bioengineering major. “So I wanted to make use of my technical skills in the medical field and help those with muscle dystrophy.”
Her research experience at SCU’s Center for Nanostructures laid the foundation for this research. In 2009, she approached Cary Y. Yang, Ph.D., then-director of CNS, and chair and professor of electrical engineering, for a project in nanotechnology.
“Dr. Yang introduced me to a project with carbon nanotubes and I spent my summer at the NASA Ames Research Center to get training on the Atomic Force Microscope [a high resolution type of scanning probe microscope],” reported Kaur.
She has since been using the Atomic Force Microscope to do force tests on muscle stem cells. “My experience at the Center has made me a strong presenter, leader and communicator,” said Kaur. “And now to be able to translate my engineering skills to a project that has potential in understanding regenerative medicine, makes it doubly rewarding.”
