Dhruv Patel
West Jordan
Summary
Innovative Mechanical Engineer with a Ph.D. specializing in microfluidic systems and fluid handling technologies for diagnostic applications. Led multidisciplinary R&D projects from concept to commercialization, collaborating across engineering and scientific teams. Developed advanced fluidic solutions and mentored engineering teams to enhance diagnostic capabilities and drive healthcare innovation.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Scientist
Novus Analytical Technologies
Salt Lake City
2024 - Current
- Directed the development and automation of a fluorescence-based microfluidic platform for PFAS detection, securing $2M in Phase II funding as Principal Investigator following the successful completion of Phase I
- Led research, design, and development of advanced microfluidic and electrochemical technologies, managing high-impact R&D initiatives that supported next-generation diagnostic and environmental sensing platforms.
- Developed high-performance fluid handling solutions, including enzyme-modified silica particle capillaries that achieved over 90% separation efficiency for tuberculosis biomarkers and PFAS sensors detecting concentrations below 4 ppt in complex serum samples.
- Designed custom electrochemical instrumentation, including a rotating hollow-cylinder electrode system with proprietary carbon capillary architecture, enabling continuous-flow potentiostat measurements and enhanced analytical performance.
- Led technical planning, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration while mentoring engineering teams, improving laboratory workflows, resource utilization, and overall R&D productivity.
- Collaborated with industry partners and subject matter experts to resolve complex technical challenges and validate emerging technologies, accelerating product development and market readiness through commercialization programs like NSF I-Corps.
- Conducted experiments to develop innovative analytical methodologies in laboratory settings.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
- Mentored junior scientists on best practices and laboratory protocols.
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Utah
Salt Lake City
2023 - 2024
- Engineered an innovative hybrid microfluidic platform for tuberculosis diagnostics, integrating a custom aluminum substrate to achieve bench-top extraction performance with enhanced thermal regulation and system efficiency.
- Developed a corrosion-resistant glassy carbon capillary to replace conventional stainless-steel tubing, eliminating electrolyte-induced corrosion while maintaining electrochemical performance under pressures up to 8,000 psi.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams to design a whole-column imaging system, developing custom optical instrumentation and automated Mathematica-based image analysis tools, enhancing experimental accuracy and efficiency.
- Designed a diffusion-driven microfluidic platform with custom experimental systems and finite difference modeling to validate fluid transport behavior and optimize device performance, while providing technical leadership across R&D initiatives through specialized laboratory instrumentation, Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) system development, and mentoring in microfabrication, spectroscopy, and diagnostic technology integration.
Research Assistant (Ph.D.)
University of Utah
Salt Lake City
2019 - 2022
- Designed advanced electrochemical biosensing platforms by optimizing gold and silver nanoparticle functionalization, improving sensor stability and achieving detection limits as low as 50 cells for Legionella and Salmonella in complex biological samples.
- Developed an automated pneumatic microfluidic system for reagent metering, mixing, and thermal control, delivering over 90% extraction efficiency for tuberculosis biomarkers from complex serum samples.
- Engineered a hydrodynamic cavitation device that increased E. coli recovery from ground meat by 74% compared with conventional sample preparation methods; significantly enhancing pathogen detection efficiency.
- Designed and fabricated a passive flow resistance-based microfluidic device for urinary calcium detection, leveraging COMSOL Multiphysics to optimize fluid dynamics, device performance, and prototype validation.
- Resolved critical repeatability and performance challenges in electrochemical sensing through advanced electrode characterization and materials optimization, enhancing analytical reliability for diagnostic applications.
- Mentored graduate researchers in development of integrated optical fiber UV-Vis System-on-Chip diagnostic technologies, contributing to next-generation point-of-care and smart healthcare applications.
Education
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
Salt Lake City01-2022
Graduate - Nanotechnology
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT01-2022
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL01-2017
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology
Surat, India01-2014
Skills
Engineering Design & Simulation
- CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) Finite Element Analysis (FEA) (COMSOL Multiphysics) Finite Difference Modeling (MATLAB, Mathematica) Design of Experiments (DOE)
Fluidics & Mechanical Systems
- Microfluidics (Prototype development, Pneumatic systems, Heat Transfer, System integration, capillary-based high-pressure systems) Fluid Handling Systems Mechanical System Design Product validation
Analytical Instrumentation & Biosensing
- Electrochemical Sensing (CV, SWV, DPV, EIS) Liquid Chromatography Raman Spectroscopy UV-Vis & IR
Spectroscopy Optical Instrumentation Biosensor Development
Microfabrication & Manufacturing
- Photolithography PECVD PVD ALD Wet Etching Focused Ion Beam (FIB) E-Beam Lithography
CNC Machining 3D Printing
Laboratory & Characterization
- SEM TEM AFM XRD Microscopy Automation (LabVIEW & Raspberry Pi) Experimental Design
Design Verification & Validation
Programming & Project Tools
- Python LabVIEW Mathematica MATLAB Fortran Microsoft Project Microsoft Office
Timeline
Senior Scientist
Novus Analytical Technologies
2024 - Current
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Utah
2023 - 2024
Research Assistant (Ph.D.)
University of Utah
2019 - 2022
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
Graduate - Nanotechnology
University of Utah
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology