Natalie R
- Research Program Mentor

PhD at Duke University

Expertise

Electrical engineering - applied physics. Specifically electromagnetic wave-matter interactions and nanotechnology

Bio

I am an R&D engineer, and I spend most of my time working in a research lab setting where I create and test novel photonic devices. I have expertise in nanofabrication and optics, with a general interest in wave-matter interactions. The photonic devices I create can manipulate light in new and exciting ways with applications in communication and imaging systems. I additionally have research experience in developing low-cost medical devices for use in countries with limited resources. When I'm not working in the lab, I spend all of my time outdoors! I have run a number of half marathons and enjoy physical fitness. I am a certified group fitness instructor and spend my free type studying exercise physiology and nutrition. I have been a mentor for over 10 years and am celebrating my 1 year mentoring with Polygence soon! I have assisted students in successfully publishing research and preparing students for science fair competitions.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

From the lab to the field: nanophotonic biosensors

This project intersects two interesting fields of work: biological sensors and physics. The student will research and learn about the latest nanophotonic biosensor technology: learning how they operate, identify the platform's strength and weaknesses, and assessing the technology's readiness level to be deployed in the medical field. The student will learn how to read and understand academic research papers, think critically about the work in the paper, and develop the skills needed to form a opinion on the work. The project could culminate in an essay, or if the student is inspired, a proposal prototype that could address the limitations of the latest nanophotonic biosensor devices.

Coding skills

Python

Teaching experience

During graduate school, I held a teaching assistantship (TA) for over 2 years. I mentored undergraduate students for a course called "fields and waves" which was an introductory course into electromagnetic theory. I was responsible for leading ressitation sessions, creating and grading quizzes, and hosting office hours to help students with the topics covered in class. I also was a TA for a research course in which I mentored undergraduate students for a biomedical engineering course. I showed the students how to conduct experiments, analyze data, and synthesize findings into publications.

Credentials

Work experience

Duke University (2018 - Current)

Applied physics phd canddiate

Education

George Washington University

BS Bachelor of Science (2018)

Electrical engineering

Duke University

MS Master of Science (2020)