Juan Claudio Escalante

As a student with a biology background, I am transitioning towards bioengineering, having started a Master's program in the field. My past research includes projects on microfluidic particle separation and neuroscience experiments involving cognitive tests in rats and tissue sectioning parts of the rat brain. I aim to soon start working on biosensors, combining my biology expertise with engineering skills. After graduate school, I am particularly interested in pursuing a career in industry, where I can apply my research and technical skills to practical, real-world challenges.

• Molecular, Cell and Tissue Engineering
• Biomaterialsand Regenerative Engineering
• 3D bioprinting and Microfluidics

• 2023 Murdock College Science Research Conference (November 2023)

Escalante, J.C., Bergan, L., Gilchrist, & Daberkow, D. (2023). The effects of fructose and caffeine on novel object recognition in male Sprague Dawley rats. Poster presentation at the annual Murdock Conference. Vancouver, Washington.

• 2023 SACNAS Conference (October 2023)

Escalante, J.C., & Kinzer-Ursem, T. (2023). Particle Separation: Harnessing Inertial Microfluids for PreciseParticle Sorting. Poster presentation at the annual SACNAS conference. Portland, Oregon.

• 2023 Biomedical Engineering Society Conference (BMES) (October 2023)

Escalante, J.C., & Kinzer-Ursem, T. (2023). Particle Separation: Harnessing Inertial Microfluids for PreciseParticle Sorting. Poster presentation at the annual BMES conference. Seattle, Washington.

• 2023 Purdue Summer Research Symposium (July 2023)

Escalante, J.C., & Kinzer-Ursem, T. (2023). Particle Separation: Harnessing Inertial Microfluids for PreciseParticle Sorting. Poster presentation at the annual Purdue SROP Symposium. West Lafayette, Indiana.

• 2023 EWU Research Symposium (May 2023)

Escalante, J.C., Bergan, L., Gilchrist, N., Farias, A., Badillo, C.S., Kuplack, C., Kakou, K., Wawa, E., & Daberkow, D. (2023). The effects of fructose and caffeine on novel object recognition in male Sprague Dawley rats. Poster presentation at the annual EWU Research Symposium. Cheney, Washington.

• 2022 EWU McNair Summer Research Symposium (August 2022)

Escalante, J.C., & Daberkow, D. (2022). Determining Dopamine Microelectrode Placement in the RatBrain. Oral presentation at the annual 2022 EWU McNair Summer Research Symposium. Cheney, Washington.

• 9th Annual McNair PNW PhD Prep Conference (July 2022)

• Microbiology skills: Brightfield and phase contrast microscopy, Streak agar plates, Streak TSA slants, Gram stain, Endospore stain, Phage titration, Serial dilutions
• Organic Chemistry skills: TLC, IR Spectroscopy, Mass Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, NMR, Distillations, Extractions
• Neuroscience skills: Rat Behavioral testing, Brain extraction, Electrode fabrication, Tissue sectioning, Data analysis
• Microfluidic skills: Microchip fabrication, Particle imaging, Flow rate control, Particle separation
• SolidWorks skills: 3D modeling, Technical drawings, Assembly design
• Excellent attention to detail and incredible organizational skills, which keep me focused on the small parts of each experiment.
• Dedicated to performing experiments safely and following all of the proper regulations to ensure reliability.

When I’m not in the lab, I love staying active. Whether it’s playing soccer, shooting hoops, or hitting the slopes on my snowboard in the winter, I’m always up for something fun. I also enjoy trying new things whenever I can. And if I can't do those, I still try to hit the gym to keep the energy going.