UC professor works to create a smartphone COVID-19 test
Aashish Priye pivoted his work to focus on the pandemic
Aashish Priye, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of chemical engineering, has spent much of his research career developing a smartphone diagnostic device for the rapid detection of viruses.
When the novel coronavirus emerged, Priye turned his focus toward COVID-19. Priye and the UC students in his lab are exploring a smartphone-based DNA analyzer that could allow a user to test themselves at home.
Priye is focused on perfecting a process known as LAMP — loop-mediated isothermal amplification — as a potential alternative to the current process of pathogen detection called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which has been used for more than 30 years and is mostly done in a lab.
“Today’s gold standard PCR system is a bulky machine that uses a lot of power — we know this can be improved,” Priye said. “Our work is curiosity driven — we aim to create the next generation of microfluidic devices using rapid micro-fabrication techniques.”
Priye is heading up one of 13 research teams, each awarded a phase-one $10,000 planning grant last year in the Digital Futures Anchor Development Program from the UC Office of Research. The anchor teams will carry on their research inside the new Digital Futures space, when it opens in 2022.
Featured image at top: Baldwin Quad on UC's campus. Photo/Corrie Mayer/CEAS Marketing.
Related Stories
Cincinnati sees record rainfall in weekend deluge
July 21, 2026
The Cincinnati Enquirer talks to UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Professor Patrick Ray for context about a July 17 rainstorm that dumped a record amount of rain on parts of Cincinnati.
Engineering magnets for a cleaner future
July 20, 2026
The United States is heavily reliant on imported rare-earth materials to make permanent magnets. Ugochukwu Philip Ochieze, materials science student at the University of Cincinnati, is studying how to use common materials to create permanent magnets, eliminating the need for expensive and scarce rare-earth materials. Pursuing his PhD, Ochieze was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Students shape the future of UC's Industrial & Systems Engineering Program
July 17, 2026
Industrial engineers work in the overlap between engineering, business, and systems. Fourth-year Industrial and Systems Engineering student Phoebe Ting knew Industrial and Systems Engineering was right for her when she discovered it. UC brought back ISE to the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2022 and will graduate the first cohort in 2027. The program is being refined and strengthened with help of the students.