Shalini Prasad, Ph.D.

The recent nationwide alert about E. coli-laced organic carrots is just the latest example that our food safety isn’t guaranteed. Now a research team at UT Dallas is exploring a way that people can do a final check for contaminants—right in their own homes.

From contaminated carrots to harmful hamburger, tainted food has caused sickness and even death for decades—with E. coli-laced organic carrots the latest item to alarm Americans nationwide. Now a research team at the University of Texas at Dallas is developing a tool for consumers to use right in their own homes to add an extra level of food safety.

The researchers—led by Dr. Shalini Prasad, department head of bioengineering at UTD’s Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science—is developing sensors that could make it possible for consumers to detect contaminants in food and water “within minutes,” the university said… Continue reading.

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed a hand-held rapid saliva test that can measure the level of THC, the major active component in marijuana, with 94% accuracy.

The device, called CannibiSenS, also can distinguish between THC and CBD, a component of the cannabis plant that does not cause a psychoactive effect and is sold legally in dietary substances, creams and other products in most states.

The sensor could be used as a tool for law enforcement officers to test drivers believed to be impaired. Additionally, medical marijuana practitioners, patients and recreational users might find it helpful to monitor THC levels, said Dr. Shalini Prasad, professor and department head of bioengineering and a Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Prasad and her colleagues published a study on the technology online May 24 and in the July 7 print edition of the journal Analyst… Continue reading.

In March, Dallas Innovates told you about Dr. Prasad and her bioengineering team at UT Dallas, who are developing “groundbreaking” new soil health sensors that could help improve soil productivity on a global scale.

“This is the equivalent of having a wearable health sensor on your body that tells you in real-time what’s happening,” Prasad said in a statement at the time. “Think of it as a wearable for the soil.”

The technique developed by the UTD team uses sensors that apply electrical stimulation to soil and measure chemical reactions to the voltage. The technology measures pH, moisture, volumetric bulk density, and the two main soil carbon pools—levels of soil organic matter and carbonaceous soil minerals — as well as total soil carbon… Continue reading.

“This is the equivalent of having a wearable health sensor on your body that tells you in real time what’s happening. Think of it as a wearable for the soil,” Dr. Shalini Prasad said.

Soil quality isn’t just a concern for farmers and policymakers—it also matters on a personal level. The health of our soil affects everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe. But thanks to bioengineers at UT Dallas, new soil sensors could help improve soil productivity on a global scale.

Bioengineers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed sensors that monitor multiple soil parameters, including total soil carbon, to provide farmers with accurate, real-time, continuous data to improve soil health and productivity… Continue reading.

Pesticides have become an integral part of the modern farming process due to their usefulness in preventing crop losses to pests, weeds and disease. With the United Nations “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” goals placing a renewed emphasis on sustainable farming technologies and environmental safety, demand is increasing for screening techniques that can detect and monitor the presence of excess pesticide residues in the environment.

Despite such demand, it is still relatively rare for pesticide testing to occur on-site during farming. For pesticide residues on crops and foodstuffs, it is most common for samples to be sent away to analytical laboratories for testing. This may give accurate results, but it is a time-consuming process that can become quite impractical for routine screening. At the other end of the scale, environmental soil and soil runoff samples are rarely tested at all… Continue reading.

University of Texas at Dallas bioengineers in collaboration with EnLiSense LLC have designed a wearable sensor that can detect two key biomarkers of infection in human sweat, a significant step toward making it possible for users to receive early warnings of infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.

The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science researchers’ study, published online March 3 in Advanced Materials Technologies, demonstrates that the sweat sensor can identify the biomarkers interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP-10) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Elevated levels of IP-10 and TRAIL indicate what is known as a cytokine storm, a surge of pro-inflammatory immune proteins generated in the most serious infections… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the election of Shalini Prasad, Ph.D., Professor, Department Head, Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Texas, Dallas to its College of Fellows. Dr. Prasad was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the AIMBE College of Fellows for pioneering contributions in engineering sweat wearables for disease tracking and management for chronic diseases and prognostic monitoring in pandemics.

The College of Fellows is comprised of the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. The most accomplished and distinguished engineering and medical school chairs, research directors, professors, innovators, and successful entrepreneurs comprise the College of Fellows. AIMBE Fellows are regularly recognized for their contributions in teaching, research, and innovation. AIMBE Fellows have been awarded the Nobel Prize, the Presidential Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation, and many also are members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences… Continue reading.

After several years of research with various types of medical sensor technology, Dr. Shalini Prasad found inspiration from an unexpected source while on a flight. The resulting sensor device, which fits in the palm of your hand, may be the key treating millions of people with sepsis. Shalini Prasad is Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor and Department Head of Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering graduate program at The University of Texas at Dallas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the University of Madras, India in 2000 and obtained her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of California, Riverside in 2004. Prior to UT Dallas, she worked as Assistant Professor at Portland State University, Arizona State University and Associate Professor at Wichita State University, and held adjunct appointments at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Prasad has published over 200 peer reviewed publications. She is a fellow of the Society of Laboratory Automation and Screening. Dr. Prasad is currently the Director of Biomedical Microdevices and Nanotechnology Laboratory, which develops novel sensor technologies ranging from wearable technologies, portable diagnostics to defense and environmental monitors. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors recognized that patients who developed a “cytokine storm” — a surge of pro-inflammatory immune proteins — were often the sickest and at highest risk of dying. But a cytokine storm can also occur in other illnesses, such as influenza. Today, scientists report preliminary results on a sweat sensor that acts as an early warning system for an impending cytokine storm, which could help doctors more effectively treat patients.

The researchers will present their results today at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2021 is being held online April 5-30. Live sessions will be hosted April 5-16, and on-demand and networking content will continue through April 30. The meeting features nearly 9,000 presentations on a wide range of science topics… Continue reading.

In the U.S., those who consume alcohol and drive are often subjected to roadside stops, breathalyzer tests and stiff penalties if their blood alcohol content exceeds certain limits. Currently, no such test exists for cannabis intoxication, although the substance is known to impair driving, among other activities. Scientists now report that they are one step closer to a convenient saliva test for measuring cannabis levels at roadside stops.

The researchers are presenting their results through the American Chemical Society (ACS) SciMeetings online platform… Continue reading.