BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Samantha Mata Robles (J. Linnes, advisor) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 pm. Title: A Human Centered Design Approach Towards the Point-of-Care Detection of Hepatitis C: The Integration of RT-LAMP and a Lateral Flow Test Exam details (in-person): MRGN 129 1:00 pm Exam (remote): Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/4309804015?omn=94073177876<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue-edu.zoom.us%2Fj%2F4309804015%3Fomn%3D94073177876&data=05%7C02%7Cbmeroundtable-list%40ecn.purdue.edu%7C7dcb328138164b622fe408dd8212a775%7C4130bd397c53419cb1e58758d6d63f21%7C0%7C0%7C638809738804527777%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lT7cLbQqU6MkdzYNc8QUcYI8%2B9tEYQOky%2Ba4jdhQXrY%3D&reserved=0> (Meeting ID: 430 980 4015) Committee Members: Dr. Jaqueline Linnes, Dr. Natalia Rodriguez, Dr. Lia Stanciu, Dr. Lauren Nephew Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects an estimated 58 million people globally and remains a leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States, particularly among people who use drugs (PWUD). Despite the availability of effective treatments, late or incomplete diagnosis continues to hinder care- largely due to the lack of affordable, accessible, and rapid molecular diagnostic tests. Current near-point-of-care systems for HCV RNA detection are costly and require supporting infrastructure, limiting their feasibility in community-based settings such as harm reduction organizations. This proposal, grounded in a human-centered design (HCD) framework, aims to develop a sensitive, specific, and true point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform for HCV RNA detection. The system will integrate reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with a lateral flow test (LFT) for visual result readout. Technical and usability requirements will be co-developed with community health workers, HCV testers, and PWUD to ensure real-world adaptability and uptake. Preliminary data demonstrate successful primer design with high specificity and robust amplification in plasma, as well as proof-of-concept feasibility of LFT-based result interpretation. This project is expected to produce a field-forward diagnostic tool capable of expanding early HCV detection and treatment access in underserved communities. -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list@ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list