Dr. Laxman Saggere
saggere@uic.edu

Dr. Saggere is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UIC, and the director of the µSMAL. He received his B.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Osmania University, India, in 1986, an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 1993, an M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, MI, in 1998. He served as a Scientist-Engineer in the Indian Space Research Organization from 1987 to 1991, and as a Research Scientist in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, Cambridge, MA from 1999 to 2001.

Dr. Saggere's research interests are in the areas of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), BioMEMS, and micro-compliant mechanisms. His research exploits the synthesis of MEMS technology with synergistic enabling technologies such as active materials and microfluidics and design approaches such as compliant mechanisms and biomimetics. The scope of research conducted in his lab encompasses both theoretical and applied investigations including conceptualization, design, modeling and simulation, prototyping, and testing of microsystems.

Mandar is currently pusuing his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at UIC. He received his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Surat, India, in June 2001.

Mandar is currently working on an optically driven microactuator for an implantable prosthesis. His research interests are in MEMS actuators and sensors.

Sandeep is currently pusuing his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at UIC. He received his B.Tech. degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Chennai, India in 2003.

Sandeep's research in in the area of compliant micromechanisms, micromanipulators and microassembly.

Alberto is currently pusuing his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at UIC. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992 and 1994 respectively.

Alberto's research interests are in microsystems-based drung delivery systems.

Ross is currently pusuing his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering at UIC. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UIC in 2003.

Ross' research interests are in the area of microfluidics.

Ms. Karen Navarro-Castillo

M.S., Summer 2004 (Co-Advised by Prof. Thomas Royston)

Thesis: Design of a MEMS-Based Triaxial Microaccelerometer and Wireless Interface for Medical Applications.

Current position: Working in Mexico.

Mr. Olaf Cochoy

M.S., Summer 2003

Thesis: Design and Assessment of a Microfluidic Dispenser for Chronic Chemical stimulation of Retinal Neurons

Current position: Pursuing PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH), Germany.

Mr. Dinakar Ramadurai

M.S., Spring 2003 (Bioengineering)

Thesis: Microfluidic Device for Cellular Signalling

Current position: Pursuing PhD in Bioengineering at UIC.