Scholars Explore Next-Generation Wearable Technology

On April 10th, Governor’s STEM Scholars Research Team 10 visited Dr. Simiao Niu’s biomedical engineering lab at Rutgers University. This experience offered the Scholars an in-depth look at cutting-edge technology being developed in NJ at the intersection of engineering, healthcare, and wearable technology.

During the visit, Dr. Niu and his team presented an overview of their work in wearable biomedical devices. The lab focuses on developing flexible, lightweight, and skin-compatible technologies designed to continuously monitor the body’s physiological signals. These devices aim to move beyond traditional clinical settings by enabling real-time health tracking in everyday life. Their work is advancing healthcare toward greater accessibility, personalization, and prevention.

Their biosensor designs are specifically crafted to detect subtle biological signals such as movement, heart rate patterns, and other physiological changes. The researchers explained that these sensors are engineered from flexible materials that can conform to the human body without causing discomfort and that allow for long-term use. This type of innovation is especially vital for improving patient monitoring in areas such as chronic disease management and rehabilitation. By integrating engineering and medicine, their research demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to impactful solutions for real-world health challenges.

Dr. Niu also discussed how the publishing process may complement his team’s drive for change. As a world-renowned researcher, Dr. Niu has published in peer-reviewed journals such as Science, Nature, Nature Biotechnology, and Nature Electronics, providing insights into the arduous but rewarding publishing process and extracting meaningful insights from his lab, applying them to the real world. At the event, he shared that one of the projects he is currently working on encapsulates this synergetic relationship between findings and applicability poetically: performing clinical trials on Alzheimer's patients in collaboration with the Dance Department to improve symptoms.

Overall, the visit to Dr. Niu’s lab allowed the Scholars to examine the rapidly evolving nature of biomedical engineering, its potential to reshape the future of healthcare through innovative wearable technologies, and how these technologies can be developed and made accessible in the real world.

By Manya Rana and Joshita Sripada 2026 Governor's STEM Scholars

Manya Rana is a senior at the PCTI STEM Academy in the Biomedical and Life Sciences program. She is president of her school’s HOSA chapter, leading service projects, competitions, and activities for nearly 300 members. Within school, she has served as a freshman mentor and class representative. Outside of STEM, she is Co-Chief Executive of Speak Strong, a student-led organization that empowers underrepresented voices through literacy and communication programs for low-income children. Manya hopes to pursue a career in healthcare while continuing to advance equity and leadership in her community. Joshitha Sripada is a senior at County Prep High School, where she majors in Medical Science. At the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, she conducted a meta-analysis on assessment strategies for adults with autism. At the New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences, she investigated olfactory processing through meta-analysis and experimentation. Joshitha is president of her school’s HOSA chapter, leading 200+ students in service projects, and she founded a therapeutic art program for children with special needs. Recognized with the Barbara James Service Award, she aspires to a career in neuroscience and healthcare.