E. Du, Ph.D., Named Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors

E. (Sarah) Du , Ph.D., an associate professor in  College of Engineering and Computer Science  at  Florida Atlantic University , has been selected as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors ( NAI ) for her significant contributions to innovation and invention.

The NAI is a member organization comprising United States and international universities, government agencies, and nonprofit research institutes. The NAI was founded to recognize and encourage inventors with U.S. patents, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and to create wider public understanding of how its members’ inventions benefit society.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Du’s appointment as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, which is a testament to her groundbreaking work in advancing medical technology and improving patient care and outcomes,” said  Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “This prestigious honor underscores her contributions to innovation and her impact on both science and society, while highlighting the exceptional talent at Florida Atlantic.”

Du, a leading researcher with extensive expertise in microfluidics and biosensors, has a joint appointment in the  Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering  and the  Department of Biomedical Engineering. She leads the  Living Devices and Biosensors Lab  and co-directs the  Center for SMART Health  at FAU.

Her research focuses on pioneering engineering solutions, developing single-cell assays and creating advanced in vitro disease models. These efforts span both basic research in cellular biomechanics and biophysics and applied biomedical applications, such as point-of-care diagnostic tools and monitoring systems for diseases such as sickle cell disease.

Through her work, Du aims to deepen the understanding of cellular mechanisms involved in human diseases, with the ultimate goal of improving health care outcomes for patients suffering from conditions such as sickle cell disease and malaria. Her research is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, and she collaborates with biomedical industries to enhance and commercialize these cutting-edge technologies.

Du holds three U.S. patents. The Vascular Occlusion Testing Device (U.S. Patent App. 17/313,235, 2022) helps doctors test and monitor blood flow in engineered blood vessels. It’s designed to detect blockages (vascular occlusion), which can help identify problems like clots or narrowing in the blood vessels, potentially preventing more serious health issues. The Portable Electrical Impedance-Based Blood Testing Device for Sickle Cell Disease (U.S. Patent App. 18/118,277, 2023) is a portable device that uses electrical signals to quickly and easily test blood for sickle cell disease. It’s intended to help diagnose and monitor the condition in patients, especially in areas where access to advanced medical equipment is limited, allowing for faster and more accessible testing. The Automated Oxygen-Dependent Blood Function Measurement Systems and Methods (U.S. Patent App. 18/675,920, pending) automatically measures how well blood functions in the presence of oxygen. It’s designed to help monitor blood health, particularly how red blood cells perform under different oxygen levels, which can be useful in diagnosing or monitoring conditions related to oxygen transport in the body.

Beyond her research, Du is passionate about mentoring the next generation of innovators. She actively engages with students through regular lab meetings, SMART Health seminars and research showcases organized for outreach programs. Over the past decade, she has mentored four postdoctoral researchers, seven Ph.D. students and 25 undergraduate students, many of whom have been involved in NSF- and NIH-funded projects, as well as FAU’s internal initiatives such as the FAU Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE), FAU Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-Health), FAU Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), and the FAU Innovation Pilot Award Program.

Du’s mentorship not only offers technical expertise but also career guidance. Three of her Ph.D. students are co-inventors of two patents and several of her students have gone on to successful academic careers. Through her groundbreaking research and dedication to student mentorship, she continues to shape the future of biomedical engineering and health technologies.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the collaborative efforts of my colleagues, students and mentors who have supported me along the way,” said Du. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of technology and health care, and I remain committed to developing innovations that can positively impact lives.”

The NAI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring academic inventors and promoting innovation. Founded in 2010, the NAI recognizes and encourages inventors with U.S. patents, enhances the visibility of academic technology and innovation and educates and mentors innovative students. The organization comprises more than 4,600 individual members, including Fellows, Senior Members and Chapter Members, affiliated with more than 260 institutions worldwide.