POTSDAM -- Clarkson University student, Saira Bakshi, Canton, works with particles that are smaller than the width of a hair in hopes of achieving a big reward -- earlier detection of cancer cells. Her expertise has earned her a travel award, which means she will be able to discuss her work with top scientists at a convention this summer.

Bakshi pursuing her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering. She recently received word that she has been chosen to receive a Sensors Travel Award from the journal Sensors, which explores the science and technology of sensors and biosensors. The award will pay her expenses to attend the fifth International Symposium on Sensor Science this July at the University of New Hampshire in Durham.

"I can go anywhere with the award, but I liked this conference," says Bakshi. "People from all over the world will be attending. I'm really excited."

Prof. Evgeny Katz, Milton Kerker Chair in Colloid Science at Clarkson University, is very happy for his student. She's an excellent student, one who has already published seminal papers, he notes.

Bakshi works with Natali Guz, a postdoctoral fellow, in Prof. Katz's lab. The opportunity to do so is one reason she chose to continue her studies at Clarkson University after receiving her undergraduate degree there.

Simply put for non-scientists, her work involves finding, or sensing, certain levels of chemicals within cells. Tiny nanoparticles can be used in many ways, often to detect levels of disease or levels of contaminants such as chemicals in drinking water. She prefers working with biosensors and living material.

For more information on Bakshi's research, visit https://youtu.be/V4dR0hujFFY.