My research develops smart polymer wound dressings that detect infections in chronic wounds through a visible color change. By providing immediate, non-invasive alerts, these materials enable faster treatment, reduce hospitalizations and amputations, and improve outcomes for people with diabetes and chronic wound conditions.

This study tracked viral load in saliva, throat, and nose samples collected daily from newly infected individuals. The findings show each sample type follows a distinct viral-load trajectory, with saliva and throat detecting infection earlier than nose. This has major implications for COVID test accuracy, sampling strategies, and future pandemic preparedness.