Julia Radzio Defends Dissertation on Microfluidic Platforms for High-Throughput Biomolecular Screening

Julia Radzio has defended her doctoral dissertation, “Development of Microfluidic Platforms for High-Throughput Biomolecular Screening,” under the supervision of Paulo Arratia, Eduardo D. Glandt Distinguished Scholar and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), and David Issadore, Professor in Bioengineering (BE). Her research advances microfluidic technologies that make biomolecular screening more efficient, helping accelerate discoveries in biotechnology and medicine.

Biomolecular screening, the process of identifying and analyzing biological molecules such as proteins, cells and nucleic acids, is essential for developing new diagnostics and therapies. Traditional methods, however, can be labor-intensive and difficult to scale. In her dissertation, Radzio developed microfluidic platforms that precisely control the movement of fluids at microscopic scales, enabling more efficient, high-throughput screening workflows while improving compatibility with existing laboratory techniques.

Radzio began her Ph.D. at Penn after earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University with the goal of applying fluid dynamics to solve problems in biotechnology.

“My Ph.D. has been a journey of learning how to find solutions to systemic technological challenges relevant to the biotech industry,” she says. “My goal was to develop expertise in fluid dynamics and leverage my training to address limitations in biomolecular screening.”

During her doctoral studies, Radzio contributed to five interdisciplinary collaborations spanning three departments and two universities. Her work resulted in three published articles, including one as first author, with three additional manuscripts under review. She also presented her research at four conferences, served as a teaching assistant for three semesters and participated in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA). Looking back, she credits these experiences with strengthening both her technical expertise and her ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Students participating in a Bob Ross painting activity hosted by MEGA.

Radzio (second from left) receiving the MEAM Outstanding TA Award.

One of the defining moments of her Ph.D. came after years of designing and refining a microfluidic device.

“One of the most memorable research moments during my Ph.D. was finally staining a monolayer of cells with a flow-controlled gradient of fluorophores in a microfluidic device,” Radzio says. “This result came after multiple years of prototyping and testing a device that was compatible with our collaborator’s workflow.”

She credits the success of that project to interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly her partnership with Łukasz Suprewicz, a postdoctoral researcher in Paul Janmey‘s laboratory, whose expertise in cell biology complemented her engineering background.

Another highlight came while attending the Gordon Research Conference on Microfluidics in Italy, where she connected with researchers from around the world.

“I was able to connect with the international microfluidics community and engage in meaningful discussions about my research,” she says. “I also had the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research through both formal seminars and informal hikes in the Tuscan countryside.”

Radzio receiving her award at the Gordon Research Conference.

After graduation, Radzio will join a pharmaceutical company in Massachusetts as a senior scientist, where she will focus on laboratory automation and continue applying engineering solutions to challenges in biotechnology.

For students considering a Ph.D. in MEAM, Radzio emphasizes the importance of developing a strong engineering foundation while remaining open to collaboration.

“Build a strong technical foundation in mechanical engineering and use that groundwork to contribute to interdisciplinary research collaborations,” she advises.

Radzio extends her gratitude to her advisors, Arratia and Issadore, “for giving me the opportunity and the freedom to grow as an independent researcher.” She also thanks the mentors who shaped her academic journey and inspired her passion for research, including Nadia Krook, Brian Kirby, Andrew Kang, Katherine Polhemus, Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli and John Davis.