Direct PhD Students (Principal Supervisor)
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Prabuddha De Saram
PhD thesis title: Microfluidic Approaches to Study Cell Membranes and Mechanobiology
Prabuddha De Saram received his BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, in 2021. In 2023, He joined Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC) at Griffith University, Australia, as a Ph.D. candidate. His research focuses on microfluidic approaches to studying cell mechanobiology, with a particular emphasis on micropillar-integrated devices. His broader research interests include microfluidics, biosensors, cell mechanobiology, and advanced micromanufacturing techniques.
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Elham Lori Zoudani
PhD thesis title: Design and Fabrication of Microneedles for Theranostic Application: Two arrays on one Patch
Elham Lori Zoudani received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Shahid Chamran University (SCU), and Khaje Nasir Toosi University of Technology (KNTU), Iran, in 2015 and 2019, respectively. In 2023, she joined Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC) at Griffith University, Australia, as a PhD candidate. Her research focuses on microneedle design and development for biomedical applications. Her research interests are microfluidics, biomedical microdevices, and computational fluid dynamics.
Azeez Bakare
PhD thesis title: Design, Fabrication & Testing of Acoustophoresis-Magnetophoresis Multifunctional Microfluidic Device
Dynamic Mechanical Engineer with 13 years of diverse experience in project design, quality assurance, quality control, construction, and commissioning. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, specializing in process optimization and efficiency improvements, proficient in using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and other advanced design tools to optimize project outcome. Currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering focused on microfluidic devices, with a strong interest in their commercialization for addressing health-related challenges. Experienced lecturer and researcher, committed to inspiring students and driving innovation through applied research. Proven ability to bridge academic research with practical applications, driving advancements in microfluidics aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. Committed to leveraging technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision to develop transformative solutions in the medical field.
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Dr Navid Kashaninejad
Dr Navid Kashaninejad received his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in solid mechanics, gaining a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing technologies and structural mechanics. He then earned his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on fluid mechanics, developing expertise in fluid dynamics, boundary layers, and energy conversion.
He completed his PhD at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, under the prestigious SINGA scholarship from A*STAR, supervised by Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen (ARC Laureate Fellow in microfluidics). His doctoral research advanced the field of microfluidics and microfabrication, pioneering the novel concept of eccentricity to control contact angles and enhance drag reduction in superhydrophobic microchannels, establishing him as an expert in micro/nanoscale surface engineering.
Immediately after his PhD, Dr Kashaninejad accepted a teaching-focused position at a university, delivering biomedical engineering courses. He then moved into industry as a Senior Product Development Engineer, gaining first-hand experience in commercialisation pathways, intellectual property processes, and the development of transformative, market-ready technologies.
He subsequently returned to academia as a postdoctoral researcher, where he worked exclusively on cancer modelling and tumour-on-a-chip systems. Notably, in 2016, when only a few researchers globally were working in this area, he developed Organ Tumour-on-a-Chip platforms for chemosensitivity assays, utilising his expertise in microfluidics and surface engineering to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.
In 2021, he was awarded the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA).
He is currently a Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Built Environment (EBE) at Griffith University and a full member of the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (QUATRI), leading multidisciplinary research in micro/nanofabrication, surface microfluidics, and advanced sensing applications.
Direct PhD Students (Associate Supervisor)
PhD thesis title: Bioengineering Wearable Biosensors for Real-Time Monitoring of Biomarkers
At Griffith University’s Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (QUATRI), Adel is developing next-generation wearable biosensors that translate subtle, invisible biomarkers—such as those found in sweat—into meaningful mental health insights. By combining biosensing innovation with advanced microfabrication, he is creating flexible, skin-friendly devices that enable real-time monitoring of stress and mental wellbeing. For Adel, this is more than research—it is a mission to make mental health monitoring accessible, non-invasive, and seamlessly integrated into daily life. His vision extends from supporting remote patients to empowering high-pressure professionals and anyone seeking to better understand their body and mind.
Lab Alumni
PhD Graduates
1. Dr Huy Hoang Vu (2022-2025)
Role: Principal Supervisor
Thesis: Engineering micropatterned surfaces for cell mechanics and mechanobiology
Current Position: Research Fellow, QUATRI, Griffith University, Australia
2. Dr Aditya Himanshubhai Vashi (2022-2025)
Role: Associate Supervisor
Thesis: Digital Microfluidics with Acoustic Levitation
Current Position: Research and Data Analytics at iyarn, Perth, Australia