January 2017: Sidney Coombs

Sidney Coombs, 5th-year PhD student in Prof. Bright's group

• 2016 College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship
• First-author publication: Coombs, S.G.; Bright, F.V. Spatial Characteristics of Contact Pin-Printed Silanes and Bioconjugates on Oxidized Porous Silicon. Phys. Chem C 2016, 120 (11), 6011-6019.
• Second-author publication: Trivedi, S.; Coombs, S.G.; Wagle, D.V.; Nakara, B.; Baker, G.A.; Bright, F.V. Ionic Liquids Can Permanently Modify Porous Silicon Surface Chemistry. Eur. J. 2016, 22 (33), 11677-11684.

"My research focuses on designing modified microarrays on porous silicon platforms which can be used for a host of applications including lab-on-chip devices and label-free multi-analyte chemical sensors. Currently I am investigating the characteristics of organically modified silane and bioconjugate microarrays prepared directly on porous silicon by contact pin-printing.

I enjoy being a graduate student at UB because here we have access to all the resources of a large institution while maintaining a welcoming and collaborative environment. The faculty and staff are very knowledgeable yet remain approachable and invested in graduate student success.

During my free time I enjoy hiking with my dog Pi, relaxing with friends over a glass of wine, and spending time with my family in the countryside."