STEM Training and Excellence Program (STEP) Research Initiative

Amanda Lodi, Biology

Melanin-Matched Phantom Skin Models: Enhancing Accuracy and Equity in Biomedical Optics Across Diverse Skin Phenotypes with Walfre Franco, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

This research focuses on developing a spectrophotometrically calibrated phantom skin model to improve biomedical optical technologies across various skin phenotypes. Using dual integrating spheres and spectrophotometry, I am creating optical phantom skin models with melanin concentrations matched to target wavelengths. Conventional diagnostic tools are developed for lighter skin tones, which reduces their effectiveness in populations with darker skin tones. This research aims to fill that gap in medical optics. This phantom model serves as a testing platform for validating erythema detection algorithms and other biomedical optical instruments across diverse patient populations. A promising future direction in my research with phantom skin development is the ability to model disease-specific, dynamic, and physiologically relevant dermatological manifestations of medical conditions, including hypoxia, shock states, and peripheral ischemia, within subcutaneous vascular models across diverse skin phenotypes. Ultimately, this research aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, support early clinical intervention, and promote health equity in optical medical detection.

The STEP Research Initiative has allowed me to pursue a lifelong dream of conducting meaningful research. This program has truly reshaped my self-perception, launched my research career as an undergraduate and ultimately affirmed my capacity for rigorous scientific work. It has shown me that I am capable and that I belong in spaces I once considered beyond reach. As an undergraduate student, initiating contact with professors for laboratory positions can feel intimidating and uncertain. The STEP Research Initiative removed that barrier by providing direct access to research opportunities. This program has allowed me to build meaningful professional and academic relationships with a research team early on in my education at UMass Lowell. The mentorship I have received through this program has been invaluable as I pursue my graduate education and my future goal of becoming a physician-scientist.

Rojann Jermaine Portacion, Computer Engineering

Using Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) for High Quality Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) Ultra-wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Next-Generation Power Electronics with Anhar Bhuiyan, Ph.D.

This research focuses on the growth of high-quality gallium oxide (β-Ga₂O₃), an ultrawide bandgap semiconductor with great potential for next-generation power electronics. While materials such as GaN and SiC dominate current UWBG research, our work is centered on gallium oxide due to its exceptionally high breakdown field and suitability for high-voltage applications.

In contrast to commonly used growth techniques such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and Metal-Organic-Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD), our lab employs low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) as a scalable, high-purity growth platform. We investigate how Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) process parameters influence film quality, carrier concentration, and electrical performance, with the goal of identifying the most efficient and reproducible growth conditions for Ga₂O₃ epitaxial layers. Our results demonstrate that LPCVD can produce smooth, crystalline Ga₂O₃ films with excellent electrical properties, highlighting LPCVD as a promising alternative for manufacturable gallium oxide power devices.

The STEP Research Initiative has been extremely impactful in shaping my experience as an undergraduate student by helping me identify and target my research interests and gain meaningful access to research opportunities. While I had a strong interest in participating in research, STEP provided the structure and support that made it possible for me to join a laboratory environment early in my academic career. Beyond lab placement, the initiative has supported my development through bi-weekly workshops that emphasize research skills, leadership, and academic success, as well as through financial support that has helped offset tuition costs. These combined experiences have strengthened me not only as a researcher, but also as a scholar. Having the opportunity to present something of substance at this spring’s research symposium has been a particularly meaningful highlight of the program for me.

2025-2026 Researchers

• Bright Agyapong, Electrical Engineering: Web-based Human Robot Interaction (HRI) Task Repository that Enables Researchers to Find Specific Research Papers Relating to HRI with Sam Reig.
• Rosa Rodriguez Mora, Mechanical Engineering: From Requirements to Prototype: Designing a Motion Platform with Haptic Feedback for Virtual Reality Wheelchair Training with Kelilah Wolkowicz.
• Tayshaun Lindsay, Mathematics: Photon Irradiation Energy Deposition: Creating a Mathematical Model for Photon-tissue Interactions with Romy Guthier.
• Rojann Jermaine Portacion, Computer Engineering: Using Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) for High Quality Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) Ultra-wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Next-Generation Power Electronics with Anhar Bhuiyan.
• Amanda Lodi, Biology: Melanin-Matched Phantom Skin Models: Enhancing Accuracy and Equity in Biomedical Optics Across Diverse Skin Phenotypes with Walfre Franco.
• Anika Ziobro, Bioengineering: Using Bioinformatics to Analyze the Relationship Between Germline and Somatic Mutations in the Development of Neuroblastoma with Rachel Melamed.