I am working on the design and characterization of fiber-tip sensors, the use of integrated interrogators for the read-out of the sensor, and the demonstration of the potential of these devices in several relevant sensing problems.

Regarding this position, my work was dedicated to:- Designing, fabricating, and evaluating a novel optical fiber immunosensor to identify Tuberculosis antibodies. - Developing and evaluating an improved method for fabricating fiber optic refractive index sensors with highly reproducible features.- Designing and implementing an optical fiber profilometer for thickness and refractive index measurements of different samples (e.g., polymeric waveguides, photosensitive resin, and bio-functionalized polymers).- Developing multiple opto-mechatronic systems to fabricate and test optical fiber sensors, including theoretical modeling and physical and virtual instrumentation.- Presenting results at scientific conferences and co-writing paper manuscripts.- Managing two master students of the Electrical Engineering program, UNAM.Advisor: Dr. Juan Hernández-Cordero

During this hands-on biochemistry oriented research internship, the main tasks that I performed were:- Developing and evaluating a new biosensing polymeric platform for Tuberculosis antibodies screening.- Purifying and characterizing Mycobacterial lipid mediators.- Characterizing the antibody-contain of serums from immunized rabbits.- Functionalizing polymeric platforms with lipid antigens.- Adapting traditional immunoassay protocols for use on functionalized polymeric films and optical fiber tips.- Performing different biochemistry procedures (e.g., adsorption chromatography, TLC, and ELISA).Advisor: Dr. Luz M. López-Marín

During this internship, I participated actively in the research project "Window to the Brain". This project, performed by an interdisciplinary and multicultural team, is aimed at developing a transparent cranial implant to provide optical access to the brain. As part of this team, I was mainly focused on:- Characterizing the optical properties of a novel transparent cranial implant.- Developing imaging systems (hardware and software) and image processing and analysis algorithms for in-vivo brain imaging.- Designing and testing ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging protocols.- Performing microcirculation brain imaging of mice with different optical techniques.- Measuring ex-vivo transmittance through mice head tissues.- Performing in-vivo and ex-vivo tissue optical clearing methods.- Collaborating with chemists, physicians, surgeons, and other engineers.Advisor: Dr. Guillermo Aguilar

During this experience, I designed and developed an optical fiber interferometric sensor which I co-patented. To accomplish this I gained experience in:- Fabricating different optical fiber devices, including couplers, splitters, interferometric filters, and sensors.- Developing and testing functional polymer coatings on glass structures.- Working with optical fibers (i.e., cleaning, cleaving, splicing, coupling, and general maintenance).