News Archive - Liezel Labios

AI-driven Approach Reads Heart Cells’ Inner Electrical Signals from the Outside

Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to monitor the electrical activity inside heart muscle cells from the outside, avoiding the need to physically penetrate the cells. The method relies on recording electrical signals from outside the cells and using AI to reconstruct the signals within the cells with impressive accuracy.

Six UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Faculty Named 2025 IEEE Fellows

Six faculty from the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering have been named 2025 Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s leading professional association for advancing technology for humanity.

Genetic Tweak Optimizes Drug-making Cells by Blocking Buildup of Toxic Byproduct

Scientists led by UC San Diego have developed a new strategy to enhance pharmaceutical production in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which are commonly used to manufacture protein-based drugs for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases and much more. By knocking out a gene circuit responsible for producing lactic acid—a metabolite that makes the cells’ environment toxic—researchers eliminate a primary hurdle in developing cells that can produce higher amounts of pharmaceuticals like Herceptin and Rituximab, without compromising their growth or energy production.

UC San Diego Electrical Engineering Professor Honored by Schmidt Sciences for AI Research

University of California San Diego electrical and computer engineering professor Yuanyuan Shi has been named a 2024 AI2050 Early Career Fellow by Schmidt Sciences. This honor recognizes Shi’s pioneering work in developing AI and control models for sustainable energy systems–particularly, AI-driven building control systems designed to optimize indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption.

UC San Diego Electrical Engineering Professor Inducted Into National Academy of Inventors

Farinaz Koushanfar, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California San Diego, has been elected to the 2024 Class of Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Her research in the design and optimization of secure and efficient computing systems has earned her this professional distinction awarded solely to academic inventors.

Researchers Develop Clinically Validated, Wearable Ultrasound Patch for Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

A re-engineered wearable ultrasound patch for continuous and noninvasive blood pressure monitoring has undergone comprehensive clinical validation on over 100 patients, marking a major milestone in wearable technology research. The soft, stretchy patch provides precise, real-time readings of blood pressure deep within the body. It could offer a simpler and more reliable alternative to current clinical methods.

Wearable Ultrasound Tech for Muscle Monitoring Opens New Possibilities in Healthcare and Human-machine Interfaces

Researchers have developed a compact, wearable ultrasound device that monitors muscle activity. Attachable to the skin with an adhesive and powered by a small battery, the device wirelessly captures high-resolution images of muscle movements, enabling continuous, long-term monitoring. When worn on the rib cage, it effectively monitored diaphragm function for respiratory health assessments. When worn on the forearm, it accurately captured hand gestures, allowing users to control a robotic arm and even navigate virtual games. This new technology has potential applications in healthcare for conditions affecting muscle function, as well as in human-machine interfaces for more natural robotic control.

UC San Diego Engineers and Physicists Key Players in Two New Energy Storage Hubs Funded by DOE

Researchers at the UC San Diego Sustainable Power and Energy Center are part of two cutting-edge Energy Innovation Hub teams that have collectively been awarded $125 million in funding over the next five years by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The aim: to accelerate the development of the next generation of batteries that can handle society’s increasing demand for low- and zero-carbon energy.

Nanopillars Create Tiny Openings in the Nucleus Without Damaging Cells

UC San Diego researchers have created an array of nanopillars that can breach the nucleus of a cell—the compartment that houses our DNA—without damaging the cell’s outer membrane. This new "gateway into the nucleus" could open new possibilities in gene therapy, where genetic material needs to be delivered directly into the nucleus, as well as drug delivery and other forms of precision medicine.

Finger Wrap Uses Sweat To Provide Health Monitoring at Your Fingertips—Literally

A sweat-powered wearable has the potential to make continuous, personalized health monitoring as effortless as wearing a Band-Aid. UC San Diego engineers have developed an electronic finger wrap that monitors vital chemical levels—such as glucose, vitamins, and even drugs—present in the same fingertip sweat from which it derives its energy.