Lael Wentland
PhD expected 2022
Bioengineering
Oregon State University
Introducing our FY22 Local Programming Coordinator, Lael Wentland! Lael works to develop relevant content and boost graduate student participation at WE Local conferences. She was previously on the leadership team of Oregon State University GradSWE group. Lael joined SWE in graduate school and wishes she had joined earlier! During this time she helped coordinate trips to bring seven graduate members to the WE Local in San Diego. As a member of the OSU GradSWE leadership team she has helped create opportunities for volunteering with local organizations (Girl Scouts, ChickTech, and Conservation Biology Institute), monthly social events, and speakers.
Lael has won many awards. Most recently, she competed in the WE21 Collegiate competition research pitch. Additionally, in May 2020, she received the SWE Ada I. Pressman Memorial scholarship, and in January 2020, she won first place at the poster and 10-minute research pitch at WE Local San Diego. In October 2019, she won the People’s Choice Award for her 3-minute research pitch at the Oregon Bioscience Conference. In 2016-2017, she participated in the Whitaker Research Fellowship, a year-long research project in Hanoi, Vietnam. In 2015-2016, she was a recipient of the EIP Presidential Scholarship. In 2014-2015, she was an Undergraduate Goldwater Nominee. In 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, she was a recipient of the Mary Gates Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Lael’s research is on developing paper-based microfluidics towards point-of-care diagnostic tools to monitor chronic disease. She uses paper-like materials to create rapid diagnostics, similar to the idea of a pregnancy test. Her specific project is focused on developing a device to help people with the rare genetic disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU) monitor their health. PKU patients cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, found in much of the food we eat. If concentrations of phenylalanine are too high in the body, it can lead to neurological damage. As there is no cure, Patients must stick to a life-long diet and currently measure their phenylalanine levels by sending blood samples to the lab. Results can take many days which makes it difficult to make dietary decisions.
Lael has developed a phenylalanine test which takes blood from a finger prick and returns a result in four minutes. She is currently testing the shelf life of her device and is planning to test the device with PKU patients later this year. Her work could also be used to help design tests to monitor other chronic conditions.
Lael joined Dr. Elain Fu’s lab at OSU because of her interest in developing low-cost health diagnostics. Before graduate school she had the opportunity to prototype a diagnostic in Vietnam to help nurses monitor infants with jaundice. There she saw the need for medical devices that fit the environmental and cultural factors of low-resource hospitals.
Lael plans to enter industry with the goal to translate diagnostics from R&D or academia to the field. During the summer of 2021 she completed an industry internship with Global Health labs where she worked on CRISPR-based diagnostics and digital droplet based assays for low resource settings. She was initially inspired to go into industry because of companies like Global Health labs and the opportunity to work for the company really opened up her eyes to how industry works. Wherever she lands, she hopes to work on projects to make healthcare more accessible through low-cost diagnostics.
Lael recently started rock climbing and training for triathlons. When she is not out enjoying Oregon’s nature, Lael is often found curled up with a Sci-Fi book.
Fun fact: up through high school Lael competed in Irish Dancing at the national level and continues to enjoy dance through different social dances like salsa!
PhD expected 2022
Bioengineering
Oregon State University
Introducing our FY22 Local Programming Coordinator, Lael Wentland! Lael works to develop relevant content and boost graduate student participation at WE Local conferences. She was previously on the leadership team of Oregon State University GradSWE group. Lael joined SWE in graduate school and wishes she had joined earlier! During this time she helped coordinate trips to bring seven graduate members to the WE Local in San Diego. As a member of the OSU GradSWE leadership team she has helped create opportunities for volunteering with local organizations (Girl Scouts, ChickTech, and Conservation Biology Institute), monthly social events, and speakers.
Lael has won many awards. Most recently, she competed in the WE21 Collegiate competition research pitch. Additionally, in May 2020, she received the SWE Ada I. Pressman Memorial scholarship, and in January 2020, she won first place at the poster and 10-minute research pitch at WE Local San Diego. In October 2019, she won the People’s Choice Award for her 3-minute research pitch at the Oregon Bioscience Conference. In 2016-2017, she participated in the Whitaker Research Fellowship, a year-long research project in Hanoi, Vietnam. In 2015-2016, she was a recipient of the EIP Presidential Scholarship. In 2014-2015, she was an Undergraduate Goldwater Nominee. In 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, she was a recipient of the Mary Gates Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
Lael’s research is on developing paper-based microfluidics towards point-of-care diagnostic tools to monitor chronic disease. She uses paper-like materials to create rapid diagnostics, similar to the idea of a pregnancy test. Her specific project is focused on developing a device to help people with the rare genetic disorder Phenylketonuria (PKU) monitor their health. PKU patients cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, found in much of the food we eat. If concentrations of phenylalanine are too high in the body, it can lead to neurological damage. As there is no cure, Patients must stick to a life-long diet and currently measure their phenylalanine levels by sending blood samples to the lab. Results can take many days which makes it difficult to make dietary decisions.
Lael has developed a phenylalanine test which takes blood from a finger prick and returns a result in four minutes. She is currently testing the shelf life of her device and is planning to test the device with PKU patients later this year. Her work could also be used to help design tests to monitor other chronic conditions.
Lael joined Dr. Elain Fu’s lab at OSU because of her interest in developing low-cost health diagnostics. Before graduate school she had the opportunity to prototype a diagnostic in Vietnam to help nurses monitor infants with jaundice. There she saw the need for medical devices that fit the environmental and cultural factors of low-resource hospitals.
Lael plans to enter industry with the goal to translate diagnostics from R&D or academia to the field. During the summer of 2021 she completed an industry internship with Global Health labs where she worked on CRISPR-based diagnostics and digital droplet based assays for low resource settings. She was initially inspired to go into industry because of companies like Global Health labs and the opportunity to work for the company really opened up her eyes to how industry works. Wherever she lands, she hopes to work on projects to make healthcare more accessible through low-cost diagnostics.
Lael recently started rock climbing and training for triathlons. When she is not out enjoying Oregon’s nature, Lael is often found curled up with a Sci-Fi book.
Fun fact: up through high school Lael competed in Irish Dancing at the national level and continues to enjoy dance through different social dances like salsa!
