Research output per year
Research output per year
Dr
8 WEST 4.12
Accepting Doctoral Students
I have a keen interest in leveraging the field of photonics, with a specific emphasis on the development and application of micro- and nanolasers for a wide range of sensing and captivating biological and medical applications.
I aim to enhance the efficiency, tunability, and versatility of small lasers. Harnessing the unique properties of light from compact and efficient laser sources which can be tailored and integrated into various sensing platforms.
Small lasers have been employed for highly sensitive and specific detection of biomolecules, with the potential to impact early disease diagnosis and monitoring. They can also be utilised in cutting-edge imaging techniques, enabling researchers to explore the intricacies of cellular and molecular processes.
In essence, my research represents a multidisciplinary approach, amalgamating nanofabrication, chemistry, and photonics, all converging to advance our understanding and application of these technologies in the realms of biology and medicine.
I am willing to supervise doctoral students.
Funded PhD position: Functional Biointegrated Micro and Nanolaser Sensors for Tissue and Single-Cell Applications.
Traditional biosensing techniques, particularly fluorescence-based methods, face significant limitations, including low signal intensity, poor sensitivity, and challenges in effectively detecting signals within complex tissue environments. These constraints restrict their application in real-time biological monitoring and detailed tissue analysis, which are critical for advancing our understanding of biological systems and enhancing clinical outcomes.
Biointegrated microlasers and nanolasers present a promising alternative, offering distinct optical properties and a miniaturised form factor suited for integration into cells and tissue. Unlike fluorescent probes, microlasers emit bright, photostable spectra which encode information about their geometry and the surrounding environment. This capability allows for precise real-time tracking of cellular migration and local environmental changes, such as contraction of cardiac cells, or migration of cells in tumour spheroids, making microlasers a valuable tool for advanced biosensing applications. Despite their potential, the wider adoption of microlaser sensors is hindered by challenges such as accessibility, specificity for targeted biomolecular interactions, and the complexities associated with their fabrication.
In this PhD project, you will investigate novel microlaser and nanolaser geometries and coatings aimed at enhancing specificity and expanding sensing capabilities. Working closely with collaborators in Ireland, Germany, and the University of Bath’s Department of Life Sciences, leveraging interdisciplinary expertise to drive innovation in the field. Research will focus on developing coatings that ensure that the microlasers respond to specific stimuli. Furthermore, through innovative geometric modifications you will tailor their sensitivity. A central goal of this research will be to pioneer techniques that facilitate in vivo measurements with exceptional precision and versatility.
The successful candidate will have access to our state-of-the-art Nanofabrication facility and the newly established Photonics and Nanoscience Labs at the University of Bath. Depending on your interests and expertise, there will be opportunities to tailor the project to focus on your particular interests including nanofabrication, design of functional coatings, biological experiments, computational modelling of microlasers, or the optimisation of optical setups for rapid and real-time detection in tissue.
I strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, a variety of perspectives fosters innovation and enhances the research environment.
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/faculty-of-science-ursa-phd-project-functional-biointegrated-micro-and-nanolaser-sensors-for-tissue-and-single-cell-applications/?p176163
Physics, Doctor of Philosophy, Random lasing action from biocompatible materials, King’s College London
1 Jul 2014 → 31 Jan 2018
Award Date: 1 Aug 2018
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Caixeiro, S. (Speaker)
Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk
Caixeiro, S. (Speaker)
Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
Caixeiro, S. (Speaker)
Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk
Caixeiro, S. (Speaker)
Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Conference presentation / attendance
Caixeiro, S. (No value)
Activity: Other contribution to the discipline › Grant peer-review