VINSE is excited to recognize three outstanding Tech Crew senior students who will be graduating this spring. Their dedication to supporting research and operations in the cleanroom is an essential part of VINSE’s success. Please join us in celebrating Sarah Driscoll Ellis, William Ford, and David Guiracocha for their incredible work at VINSE and beyond.
Sarah Driscoll Ellis: Advancing Clean Energy through Innovation
Sarah Driscoll Ellis, majoring in Chemical Engineering and Climate Studies, has been a vital part of VINSE’s Tech Crew since summer 2022, specializing in CVD furnace operations, photolithography, and 3D printing systems. She also holds a leadership role as Senior Tech Crew, closely working with cleanroom staff to oversee Tech Crew tasks. Sarah’s research journey began with restoring lab equipment and advancing graphene growth processes at VINSE. She later joined Dr. Piran Kidambi’s lab, where she worked on synthesizing 2-D nanostructures and improving proton exchange membranes. Passionate about chemistry and clean energy, Sarah’s internships at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and MIT on nuclear fluid coolants have positioned her as a leader in sustainable energy research. Her dedication to science communication has earned her several awards, including second place at the ORISE IGNITE Off! competition. As Sarah continues her academic journey in a Ph.D. program, her contributions to research and her commitment to impactful science are sure to make a lasting difference.
William Ford: Bridging the Gap Between Medicine and Nanoscience
Will Ford, majoring in Biochemistry and Medicine, Health, and Society, has been an integral member of VINSE’s Tech Crew since the summer of 2023. Specializing in plasma-assisted etching and deposition systems, Will plays a key role in developing and optimizing processes for thin film deposition and efficient post-deposition chamber cleaning. His passion for outreach, particularly in inspiring the next generation of scientists, has made him a valuable asset to VINSE. Will’s aspirations to attend medical school align with his drive to combine his technical expertise with his interest in healthcare. His involvement in campus research, mental health advocacy, and extracurricular activities like trail running and Ironman training speaks to his well-rounded character and commitment to both personal and professional growth.
David Guiracocha: Innovating in Microfluidics and Nanotechnology
David Guiracocha, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, joined the Tech Crew in spring 2023 and has since become a vital team member. Specializing in photolithography and physical vapor deposition, David has worked on several innovative projects, including electron beam evaporation of thin films and developing new plasma ashing recipes. With a growing passion for microfabrication, David then joined Dr. Leon Bellan’s research group, where he worked on the rapid, dose-on-demand production of radiotracers, used in medical imaging, via microfluidic platforms. David delved deeper into his cleanroom work by becoming a user and starting his own cleanroom project under the guidance of Dr. Christina McGahan. His team was awarded a Vanderbilt Immersion grant to develop a microdevice that integrates a microfluidic platform and optical sensing module to detect lead contamination in water sources, which is crucial for human health. His work underscores David’s passion for biomedical microdevices and real-world healthcare solutions. Upon graduation, David will join Abbott Laboratories’ Rapid Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases division to pursue his commitment to advancing medical technology. David hopes to help shape the future of healthcare by pushing the boundaries of biomedical microdevice innovation, ultimately helping people live healthier, more informed lives.
VINSE is proud to have been part of their Vanderbilt undergraduate story. Their contributions to both the lab and the community have been exceptional, and we are excited to see where their talents and passions will take them in the future. We wish them all the best as they continue to innovate, inspire, and lead.
If you or anyone you know may be interested to join the Tech Crew, applications are open for Summer 2025. Click here for more information: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/vinse/tech-crew-program/