Projects
What we're working on.
An official McGill EUS Design Team developing biotechnology projects, hands-on research experiences, and a community of curious students. Here is our current portfolio and the teams that came before.
Active
Five teams, one lab.
Each project pairs a wet lab effort with design, hardware, and entrepreneurship subteams, competing in national and international showcases.
Explore SensUs 2026SensUs
Fall 2025 to present
Team leads: Siqi Mi and Syphax Ramdani
SensUs is an international molecular biosensor competition hosted by Eindhoven University of Technology. For 2026, McGill's A-levo team is developing continuous levodopa monitoring to support more personalized Parkinson's care.
AeroCellutions
Fall 2025 to present
Team leads: Cassidy Devereaux and Carolyn Denton
AeroCellutions developed a biodegradable cellulose sorbent coated with dodecenyl succinic anhydride as an alternative to plastic-based oil absorbents. The team earned second place at the 2026 Biodesign Challenge Summit.
VOC
Fall 2025 to present
Team leads: Léa Bleibel and Daniel Ou
The VOC Monitor team is investigating how volatile organic compounds can be detected for health, comfort, and environmental monitoring. The project explores a selective, practical alternative to opaque total-VOC readings.
Respire
Fall 2024 to present
Team leads: Adam Farhat and Eva Otell
Respire develops cellulose air filters using agricultural waste such as corn husks. The goal is an affordable, locally producible material for masks and air purifiers, especially in areas where medical resources are limited.
Composia
Fall 2024 to present
Team leads: Alysha Kutuzyan and Amy Wang
Composia is a smart composting bin designed to make on-site composting faster and easier. Microbes or enzymes accelerate decomposition while sensors provide real-time feedback and help optimize conditions and odor control.
Past Projects
A history of the lab bench.
Every project leaves behind a protocol, a presentation, and the next generation of team leads. Browse our archive grouped by academic year.
2023 / 2025
3 projects
Creactive
Fall 2024 to 2025
Team leads: Tanjin Sultana and Anders Schwarz
Creactive investigated continuous creatinine biosensing for people with chronic kidney disease. Continuous monitoring could reduce repeated hospital visits and reveal changes that a single diagnostic measurement may miss.
Kelserra
Fall 2023 to 2025
Team leads: Alan Fu and Alegria De Hepcée
Kelserra developed a biomimetic internal surgical adhesive inspired by the underwater adhesion of brown algae. The formulation was designed to support minimally invasive procedures while avoiding limitations associated with sutures and fibrin sealants.
Nanoheme
Fall 2023 to 2025
Team leads: Ben Thompson and Jia Yi Yu
Nanoheme designed optimized lipid nanoparticles for delivering an mRNA gene therapy for hemophilia A. The approach aims to provide factor VIII without relying on frequent intravenous replacement therapy.
2022 / 2023
2 projects
Maneico
2022 to 2023
Team leads: Charlotte Volk, Emma Wong, and Taisei Fu
Maneico developed a natural mosquito repellent using red mangrove leaf extract, with a focus on local manufacture in Ghana. The project later became an independent start-up.
Cervic-o
2022 to 2023
Team leads: Rus Trana and Pew Dey
Cervic-o proposed a microfluidic test for the p16INK4a cervical-cancer biomarker. It was designed to complement HPV DNA screening with a sensitive point-of-care option for low-resource settings.
2020 / 2022
4 projects
Micro-Na
2021 to 2022
Team lead: Anne Kyung
Micro-Na designed a hydrogel microneedle patch that samples interstitial fluid and produces a fluorescent sodium readout. The concept offers a simpler, minimally invasive alternative to repeated blood tests.
micROS
2021 to 2022
Team lead: Mary Wan
Created with the McGill Rocket Team, micROS studied reactive oxygen species under microgravity and hypergravity. The platform combined a microfluidic chip, a perfusion system, and a cell-supporting hydrogel.
SOlar-A
2020 to 2022
Team leads: Bernadette Ng and Tirza Pang
SOlar-A developed a low-cost water-filtration backpack for communities facing unreliable access to safe water. Walking motion helps power a sensor that indicates when the filtered water is potable.
Algo by Biocene
2020 to 2022
Team leads: Anne Kyung, Kimia Shafighi, and Megan Wai
Algo by Biocene was designed to harvest algae through pumping, flocculation, and centrifugation. The collected biomass could then be converted into products such as fertilizer or biofuel.
2018 / 2020
4 projects
BluBand
2019 to 2020
Team lead: Kimia Shafighi
BluBand was a waterproof wearable transmitter for children with diabetes at Camp Carowanis. It converted short-wave glucose-sensor signals into cellular signals for continuous monitoring during the day and night.
Baculovirus Gene Therapy
2019 to 2020
Team lead: Elizabeth O'Meara
This team explored a transient baculovirus gene-delivery system for growth factors that are missing in chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. The project was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ActivAid
2018 to 2020
Team lead: Anne Kyung
ActivAid was an interactive bacterial-cellulose wound dressing for venous ulcers. It aimed to maintain a healthier wound environment, prevent infection, and accelerate healing.
MAAscreen
2018 to 2019
Team lead: Ella Reifsnyder
MAAscreen explored an eco-friendly, biodegradable sunscreen using algae-derived mycosporine-like amino acids. The concept replaces conventional chemical UV filters that can threaten marine environments.