INTERVIEW

Can you describe your educational and professional background?

I completed my integrated Master’s degree in Physics with a minor degree in Biology from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram. My master’s thesis studied the effect of external magnetic field on resistive switching in nickel doped memristors. As part of my minor project, I investigated the correlation between pollen morphology and its collection preference by Apis cerana (Asian honey bee).

What prompted you to apply as a doctoral candidate within the Doctoral Network?

My primary research interest lies in electronics and materials science, but I have always been keen to explore biological systems, and I felt that this doctoral network provides an opportunity to blend and pursue both. I believe I could use my expertise in microfabrication, magnetotransport, and electronics to contribute to the development of ideal instrumentation for neural signal detection, while learning from my colleagues about neural networks and their in vitro and in vivo assessment—an area in which I currently have limited exposure but am keen to understand better.

What does your research consist on?

My PhD project aims to develop Giantmagnetoresistive (GMR) and Tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensors that could capture magnetic signals produced during neural activity providing information about direction and amplitude of the signal. The primary focus is to optimize the sensors by investigating the ideal stack composition and device geometry enabling reduced noise level and limit of detection of the order of sub-nanotesla. The next stage involves integration of these optimised sensors into minimally invasive probes known as “magnetrodes” (magnetic equivalent of electrodes) to perform in-vitro and in-vivo measurements of neural activity.

More information on NeuroNanotech

This Programme is supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. Grant agreement ID: 101169352.