Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
The field of electronics has a wide variety of applications, ranging from the production of electrical energy to the development of devices to control mechanical or biological systems. Currently, there are thin film electronic devices capable of stimulating the nervous system to control or treat neuronal diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, or hearing loss. However, the performance of these devices is mainly limited by the immune system, the flexibility of the materials, and the density of the electrodes. To meet these challenges and improve the performance of this technology, my research project focuses on the development of an active electrode array for neural implants.
This device consists of two important parts: the substrate and the active circuit. The substrate is composed of a softening polymer that, when implanted, can adjust its original shape to the surface of the tissue and reduce its rigidity to lessen the body's immune response. On the other hand, the active circuit mainly consists of thin film transistors using InGaZnO as semiconductor. These transistors make it possible to increase the number and density of electrodes without increasing the dimensions of the device considerably. The integration of these two technologies allows us to develop an implantable neural device with high spatial and temporal resolution capable of stimulating nerve tissue at a specific time and place. Additionally, it provides a tool to improve stimulation processes through artificial intelligence algorithms.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
Currently, I have a first-author publication and six publications as a collaborator with different experts in the area ofsemiconductors and thin film transistors. Through these projects I gained experience in experimental design, device fabrication, data analysis, and writing and editing papers. For each publication, I collaborated in a different way. However, the most significant was the first author publication. This paper took me out of my comfort zone in many ways, from the design of the experiment to the planning and writing of the manuscript, but the greatest challenge was the process of publishing in a scientific journal and dealing with reviewers. The publishing process entailed establishing a dialogue and responding to the reviewers, as well as rethinking part of my project, all of which allowed me to identify and learn from some of the mistakes, in particular in the wording of the paper and the experimental design.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
It is a very broad area that requires a lot of knowledge of materials, quantum mechanics, electronics, and anatomy. A key point for the development of biomedical devices is analyzing and designing analog or digital electrical circuits.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
I have collaborated with professors and doctoral students from different research centers and universities in Mexico, such as doctoral student Javier Meza Arroyo, from CINVESTAV Querétaro, or Dr. Gerardo Gutiérrez Heredia, from the physics department at the University of Sonora. I supported Javier Meza in manufacturing thin layer transistors based on InGaZnO for a plasma treatment study. Additionally, I am in constant collaboration with Dr. Gutierrez Heredia on the development of active devices for neural implants.
What drew you to Texas and UT Dallas?
When I was studying my bachelor´s in engineering, I had the opportunity to do a professional internship in Dr. Walter Voit´s lab at The University of Texas at Dallas.. During this period, I developed different skills in microfabrication, electrical characterization, and bioengineering. In addition, I got involved in the field of technological and scientific development of implantable biomedical devices. As a result of this opportunity and experience, I chose to continue my professional development at The University of Texas at Dallas.
What have been some good things you did not expect about Texas or UT Dallas?
Some of the good things that I have observed at UTD are the diversity of students from all over the world, the academic rigor and standards of its programs, and the high quality of its facilities. In addition, there are many other cultural and recreational activities in Dallas that allow you to interact with different people, cultures, and ideas.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT Dallas and living in the United States?
Adapting to the academic system and the different teaching methods was one of the challenges I faced when I arrived at UTD. Being self-taught and having reading and writing habits are important skills to develop in order to excel.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
In general, graduate students are concerned about paying tuition and having enough resources to support themselves. Thanks to the support of ConTex and Conacyt, I have the freedom to fully concentrate on my academic studies and research, without having to worry about financial issues.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? How do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
In the future, I intend to support Mexico with its academic, scientific, and technological development. Through the cooperation between Mexican and U.S. institutions, I want to contribute to strengthening the scientific networks and the collaboration between academia and industry.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
I would tell them that, if they are interested in entering a scientific field, they should not hesitate to take that path. There are many Mexicans around the world studying graduate degrees, and we all have the ability to excel. Graduate studies only require effort, dedication, persistence, and the desire to leave your mark on the world.
