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.
Dr Navid Kashaninejad is an ARC DECRA Fellow at the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (QUATRI) and Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Built Environment (EBE) at Griffith University, Australia. He leads the SUMMIT Lab (Surface Micro/nanofluidics, Mechanobiology & Innovative Technologies), where his team explores how surfaces, structures, and advanced sensing technologies can be engineered to manipulate fluids, cells, and physical signals at the microscale.
His research lies at the intersection of microfluidics, surface engineering, and emerging quantum-enabled technologies. He is currently developing a vision to bridge these fields: combining the precision of microfluidics with the sensitivity of quantum measurement methods, to open new frontiers in fluid mechanics, sensing, and mechanobiology. This forward-looking direction reflects his belief in the transformative potential of cross-disciplinary science and innovation.
Dr Kashaninejad’s scientific curiosity often comes with a touch of humour. He jokes that he “works with the Devil,” referencing the famous quote that “God created the bulk, but the surface was the work of the Devil.” Indeed, his fascination with surfaces and their hidden complexity underpins his pioneering contributions to "surface microfluidics", an emerging discipline at the interface of fluid mechanics and materials science.
He began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in solid mechanics, gaining a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and structural design, followed by an M.Sc. focusing on fluid mechanics and energy systems.
He completed his Ph.D. at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, under the prestigious SINGA scholarship (A*STAR), supervised by Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen (ARC Laureate Fellow in microfluidics). His doctoral work introduced the concept of eccentricity-controlled wetting—demonstrating how microstructure geometry can influence contact angles and reduce drag in superhydrophobic microchannels—laying the groundwork for advances in micro/nanoscale surface engineering.
After his Ph.D., Dr Kashaninejad spent several years in industry as a Senior Product Development Engineer, gaining hands-on experience in product design, intellectual property, and commercialisation pathways. This exposure to real-world engineering challenges profoundly shaped his creative approach to research, blending scientific curiosity with practical innovation.
He later returned to academia as a postdoctoral researcher, where he worked on tumour-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip platforms for cancer modelling and chemosensitivity testing. In 2016, when this field was still in its early stages, he helped pioneer microfluidic cancer models that more accurately replicated the tumour microenvironment, contributing to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
In 2021, Dr Kashaninejad was awarded the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) for his outstanding contributions to micro/nanofluidics. Today, through the SUMMIT Lab, he continues to advance the frontiers of surface microfluidics while building a visionary bridge toward quantum-enhanced sensing and analysis, aimed at unlocking new understanding of matter and motion at the microscale.
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