Our Team

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Principal Investigator

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Assistant Professor @ The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Biomedical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Institute of Applied Life Sciences
Email: dkireev [at] umass.edu
Campus Office: LSL S611
Lab: LSL S650F

Dr. Dmitry Kireev is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, starting Fall 2023. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin. He is working on application of 2D materials (graphene, MoS2, PtSe2 etc) into fields of bioelectronics, neuroprosthesis, and wearable electronics. He finished his PhD work at the Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8) of Forschungszentrum Julich, Germany, working on graphene-based devices for bioelectronics. He is a recipient of a prestigious EMM-NANO scholarship and performed his master study in KULeuven and Chalmers University with majors in nanoelectronics.

In his professional journey, he is pursuing a visionary goal: to redefine the landscape of modern bioelectronics, particularly at the interface between electronics and the human body, through the innovative use of 2D materials. Dr. Kireev's expertise spans nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, and devices, complemented by a deep understanding of cellular neuroelectronics and wearables.

The on-going research endeavors aim to integrate distinctive two-dimensional electronic components (graphene and beyond) into the human body, laying the groundwork for transformative advancements in our fundamental knowledge and technological boundaries, ultimately enhancing our quality of life. Originating as a quantum physicist, Dr. Kireev's academic journey evolved into electrical engineering and nano-electronics during MSc studies, leading to delve into bioelectronics research for Ph.D. Subsequently, his postdoctoral research focused on the application of 2D materials in wearables, showcasing innovations such as graphene-based electronic tattoos for wearable sensors, a cuff-less blood pressure monitoring tattoo system, as well as biocompatible artificial synapses.

Prof. Kireev's long-term professional goal is to facilitate the convergence of 2D nanomaterials and bioelectronics, propelling the fields of mobile health and medicine forward. He envisions the development of integrated electronic circuits crafted with ultrathin and flexible 2D materials, seamlessly melding with living tissue; ultimately, laying the groundwork for deciphering the human brain, with the potential to transform and heal it or even contribute to the development of cyborgs.

Current Members

Postdoctoral Researchers

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Prashant Narute is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, since March 2024, specializing in 2D materials, particularly graphene, with over 7 years of dedicated research experience. He pursued his Ph.D. in Nano Science from the University of Science and Technology, in conjunction with the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Republic of Korea, where his research focused on large-area graphene transfer onto polymeric substrates for flexible electronics and the fundamental research on nanomechanics of 2D materials using In-situ SEM technique. Prior to his current position, Prashant served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National University of Singapore, Singapore, where he was working on high-throughput roll-to-roll dry transfer technique for graphene, particularly in biomedical applications such as graphene e-tattoos. His current research interests at University of Massachusetts centers on advancing 2D material-based bioelectronics, including graphene e-tattoos and graphene-integrated microdevices for diverse bioelectronics applications. Beyond academia, Prashant enjoys leisure activities such as badminton, swimming, travelling, and watching television.

Graduate Students

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Mehdi has joined the group in Summer 2024. He has completed his BS from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh followed by MS from Bilkent University, Turkey. He has completed his masters thesis on scalable fabrication of 2D material based self-powered sensors for healthcare application. Currently he is working on graphene transistor based biosensor development. His free time is mostly dedicated to family and friends. Apart from that he loves to scroll through Magnum Photos and Medium.

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Pritom Chowdhury is pursuing his PhD at UMass Amherst, specializing in wearable technologies for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. His research focuses on 2D bioelectronics for physiological monitoring and graphene based bioimpedance methods to detect arterial stiffness, with the goal of developing affordable solutions for early detection and timely intervention in cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Dartmouth College, US, where his thesis on wearable bioimpedance devices laid the foundation for his current work. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BRAC University. Before starting his Master’s, Pritom spent over six years working in embedded systems and IoT, particularly in healthcare technology. As a Senior R&D Engineer at Grameen Intel Social Business Limited, he contributed to projects like COEL, an IoT-based maternity healthcare device aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health. He also founded TechGeeks Limited, where he led innovations in healthcare technology. Across both roles, Pritom's work has positively impacted over 7,000 people across Bangladesh and India. His expertise in electrical, electronics, and computer engineering drives his commitment to developing accessible and affordable cardiac care solutions for disadvantaged communities. Outside of his research, Pritom enjoys music, art, novels, and engaging in discussions on history and philosophy.

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Meiyue (May) Zhang is a Ph.D. student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, majoring in Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in nanofabrication and over five years of cleanroom experience. She completed her M.S. in Material Science at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed a strong interest in nanofabrication techniques. Before beginning her Ph.D., Meiyue worked as a process engineer at a startup, with a focus on wafer-level processing, particularly micron-scale lithography. Her current research explores 2D material-based bioelectronics and system-level applications. Beyond her academic pursuits, Meiyue enjoys running, painting, and gaming.

MSc and Undergraduate Students

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Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering

Aryan is a sophomore studying biomedical engineering on the pre-dental track. He aims to work at the crossroads of engineering and medicine, whether through designing novel medical devices, or by conducting innovative research. He is currently focused on researching the use of graphene bioimpedance tattoos for monitoring arterial stiffness. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, running, and watching Formula 1.

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Nell Woolfolk is an undergraduate biomedical engineering student at UMass Amherst. She is passionate about technology, the environment, medicine, and how they intersect. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, participating in sports, and playing the violin.

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My name is Gianna and I am an undergraduate student at UMass Amherst majoring in biomedical engineering. As a sophomore, I am still exploring my interests in the field, but I am interested in advancing the medical field with my work, whether it be with a medical device or developing a new drug for a life-threatening disease. Throughout my academic career, I continue to learn more and more about myself and I am excited to see what I can bring to the Kireev lab. Outside of the lab, you can easily find me hiking with friends, baking cookies with my family, or taking spin classes at the gym.

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Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
Email: akatsoulakis [at] umass.edu
Alexandra Katsoulakis is an undergraduate student at UMass Amherst, majoring in biomedical engineering.  Alexandra is embarking on her academic journey by joining the Kireev Lab as a sophomore. She’s aspiring to apply all the knowledge she’s gaining through her engineering, computational, math, and science courses to collaborate with teams of scientists and engineers.  Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys quality time with family and friends, traveling, and expressing her creativity through art. Alexandra’s ultimate goal is to engage more deeply into research, explore new ideas, and hopefully make novel contributions to biomedical research.
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Undergraduate Student, BME
Email: fnakyazze [at] umass.edu

My name is Favour and I am a biomedical engineering major at UMass Amherst. I love working with biomedical devices either through research and design or production. My hobbies include hiking, baking, and listening to various kinds of music. Through my experience at school and in the lab, I have been able to learn more about myself and how I would like to further pursue my passion in my future career.

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Dasha is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience, with a strong interest in biomedical engineering. She hopes that her experience in this lab will provide valuable insights into the field, supporting her exploration of the intersection between Neuroscience and Engineering. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys traveling, trying new things, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Undergraduate Student, Biomedical Engineering
Email: seammorris [at] umass.edu
Sean is a 4th-year undergraduate BME student. He has a wide variety of interests in the field, ranging from the implantation of 2D bioelectronics to the use of synthetic biology for therapeutic treatments. After graduation, Sean plans to pursue a Ph.D. in bioengineering. In his free time, Sean enjoys working out, playing chess, and watching the Celtics.

Alumni

  • Monil Bhavsar - UG @ UMass Amherst - current
  • Om Tank - UG @ UMass Amherst - current
  • Alexa Velazquez - UG @ UMass Amherst - current
  • Siddh Merchant- UG @ UMass Amherst - current