Camila De Barros Leandro
Biomedical engineering
Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2026
Additional details: Transfer student
FURI | Spring 2025
Investigating Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms that Determine Thresholds for Damage in Brain Tissue Due to Electrical Stimulation
Neuromodulation therapies through electrical stimulation are widely used in the rapidly emerging neurotechnology industry. Although these kinds of therapies have been proven to be useful in many applications, the specific mechanism(s) behind the cause of cell damage due to electrical stimulation, is/are still unknown. This research seeks to identify these unknown mechanisms through in vitro experiments while considering factors such as local oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and changes in temperature within the tissue. Identifying the relevance of these factors regarding neural stimulation will allow for important advancements in the field of neurotechnology.
Mentor: Jit Muthuswamy
It’s hip to be square.
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Featured project | Spring 2025
Camila De Barros Leandro wanted to enhance her journey as a biomedical engineering undergraduate student through research experience. Under the guidance of her faculty mentor Jit Muthuswamy, De Barros Leandro is investigating the causes of brain cell damage during electrical stimulation to improve neurological therapy.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
Participating in this program is a great way to gain research experience while working under a faculty mentor. Having plenty of diverse research experience is important in figuring out what you want to work on long-term and finding your specialty. It can be difficult to acquire foundational research experience on your own, so being able to work under a faculty member’s guidance is a great opportunity to get familiar with a multitude of research procedures and resources. The project that I am working on was chosen due to its great importance within the biomedical engineering and medical fields since it has the potential to uncover currently unknown information about cellular and molecular mechanisms behind brain tissue damage due to electrical stimulation procedures.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
Finding out what mechanisms are behind brain tissue damage due to electrical stimulation will shine light on a phenomenon that is currently completely unknown. The use of electrical stimulation within the field of medicine currently has much room for novel advancements and improvements. Knowing exactly why tissue damage occurs when electrical stimulation is applied to the tissue will allow for a more precise model to be developed to outline the threshold of safe versus tissue-damaging stimulation using both macro- and microscale electrodes. This is important because electrical stimulation delivered by implantable electrodes is widely used in the rapidly emerging neurotechnology industry for developing a variety of therapies involving neural modulation.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
This research opportunity will help with my career and advanced degree goals by providing hands-on experience in neuroscience, biomedical research and data analysis. Working with a research team, including doctoral students, faculty members and fellow undergraduate students, will help me build professional connections and continuously improve my teamwork skills. Furthermore, exposure to in vitro and in vivo experimental procedures will help prepare me for any future research throughout my educational and professional career. All these factors will provide a strong foundation for a future career in biomedical research and device development within the field of neuroengineering.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
The best advice that I have gotten from my faculty mentor is to read and write as often as possible. Effective writing is a vital skill that often comes into play in any professional and educational setting. Being able to communicate ideas clearly and concisely is essential for publishing research, presenting findings and ensuring fruitful understanding between coworkers. Additionally, reading published papers both within and outside my field helps me stay aware of scientific and technological advancements and new research methodologies, and it helps me acquire new perspectives in many topic areas. By continuously improving my reading and writing skills, I can better contribute to the field of biomedical research.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
Other students should get involved in this program because it provides invaluable hands-on research experience that reaches beyond traditional classroom learning. The opportunity of working on a research project leads to an amazing experience for any student, where it drives collaboration, mentorship and networking opportunities with faculty, graduate students and industry professionals. It also helps students build a strong foundation for graduate school or careers in research, engineering and health care. Engaging in research allows students to contribute to meaningful scientific and technological advancements while making a real impact within their field of interest.
