Sam Oliveira, PhD
Sam obtained his Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Computational Biology at Tampere University (Finland) and Postdoctoral training in Microfluidics and Automation at Boston University (BU). He worked as a Research Assistant Professor and the Senior Manager of the Microfluidics Facility of the "Design, Automation, Manufacturing, and Processes" (DAMP) lab (www.damplab.org), the Academic Bio-foundry of Boston University. In 2023, he joined NCA&T as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Nanoengineering at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN).
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The Oliveira lab investigates the emergence of complexity in collective behavior and communication of natural microbiomes to programmatically co-engineer desired synthetic microbiomes and their artificial microenvironments. His team applies computer, electrical engineering, optics, microfluidics, and synthetic biology breakthroughs to improve our knowledge of the links between genetic sequences, intercellular communication, and programmable spatiotemporal microbial behaviors. He aims at engineering smart microbial devices, such as wearables, that can interface with natural targets (sense, compute, and actuate) in real-life problems related to diseases in healthcare, agriculture, and the environment.
He specializes in Bioengineering, Live Microscopy, Microfluidics, and Hardware Automation. He is active in the SynBio community as a member of the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC), the Society for Biological Engineering (SBE), an iGEM team member, a judge, and a topic editor for the journal Frontiers in Synthetic Biology. In addition, he is fully engaged with STEM outreach programs for high schoolers and undergrads by promoting webinars, workshops, and summer internship opportunities.
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Finally, Sam has an entrepreneurial vein that has led to a broader impact on the industry and society. The lab continuously makes and partners with companies. For example, he co-founded Doroth (doroth.com.br), an Agtech company developing DNA-based sensors, microfluidics, and automation for disease monitoring in Brazilian crop fields. He is also part of the scientific advisory boards of companies in the Raliegh-Durham area for Bioengineering, Microfluidics, Hardware automation, and Translational Research.
OFFICE 2907 E GATE CITY BLVD, Room 209-C
Greensboro, NC 27401
EMAIL smdoliveira@ncat.edu
PHONE (857) 310-9593
WEBSITE JSNN
CV
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