In season two, episode five of the Groundbreakers video series, host Ainka Jess speaks with Ayden Malekjahani about how smartphones are being used to explore new avenues in science. A PhD candidate at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Malekjahani is developing a quantum dot smartphone device to diagnose and track COVID-19.

“These devices really are ubiquitous and they are in the hands of everyone,” he said. “So, if we‘re able to build some tools that are very modular, small devices that you can hook up to someone‘s smartphone at a local clinic or a local community centre, then we believe that we can drive the cost down of these diagnostics rather than every single person visiting a large hospital or a doctor‘s office getting an individual test.”

The episode also features Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT) researchers: Milica Radisic, a professor in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering who works with organ-on-a-chip technologies; and Axel Guenther, a professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering who developed a bio-printer that can treat large burn wounds.

Groundbreakers is a multimedia series that includes articles at U of T News and features research leaders involved with U of T’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives, whose work will transform lives.