BIO & RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am Sydney Floryanzia, a Ph.D Candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle WA! I graduated with my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from NC State University in May 2021 and my M.S. in Chemical Engineering from UW in June 2023.
In middle school, I was exposed to the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering. The challenge of Reverse Engineering the Brain stuck with me and from then on, I have been involved with research projects featured on this site!
My current research interests and neuro-engineering projects work specialize in:
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Modeling brain physiology and pathology with in vitro and ex vivo systems
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Investigating drug delivery mechanisms to cross the blood-brain barrier
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Increasing collaborations to solve neurological challenges around the world.
SCI COMM
As a Science Communicator I have been invited to deliver a TEDxTeen talk in NYC, have been in a Superbowl Commercial and other commercials by Chevron Human Energy, and have been invited as a podcast guest and keynote speaker on several occasions. In addition, I have been the subject of several magazine and news articles and have communicated my science through fashion, music, and blog posts. Check out these links and my videos below!
I am currently taking requests to present STEM and engineering talks or presentations in classrooms, homeschool groups, conferences, you name it! I am happy to talk to any age group about engineering, chemical engineering, my research, my journey in STEM, science communication techniques, and am happy to discuss other topics as well. Check out my recent "Why ChemE?" video in collaboration with AIChE!
My STEM journey started in middle school after I attended an engineering camp and learned about the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges of the 21st Century. As a product of engineering camps, I know the impact speaking to pre-scientists can have on their lives.
I have been giving presentations and leading K-12 engineering outreach activities for over 8 years and have been working with college undergraduates as well for 4 years. I currently work with Skype a Scientist and other organizations to regularly deliver STEM talks to K12 students from all around the country. In addition to working with established groups such as AIChE, Reinvented Magazine, SWE, The Engineering Place, the NC MSEN Pre-College Program, and STEMsational, I have also led local K12 STEM outreach activities in North Carolina, Florida, and Washington state.
DR. GABE DELLAVECCHIA, PRISMA VIRTUAL ACADEMY
"We were thrilled to have Sydney speak to our middle schoolers! Her research was already an excellent fit for our unit on body systems, but then she took the additional time to understand our needs in order to tailor her presentation to support our instructional goals. She even took the time to coordinate with her colleagues to provide us with a live tour of her lab and equipment. Sydney is able to communicate complex topics and specialized vocabulary in a way that is accessible to a younger audience while still maintaining academic rigor. Her visit extended what our kids were learning about in a way that was both meaningful and engaging!" ~ Gabriel DellaVecchia, Curriculum Designer, Prisma
DR. RONALD LEWIS, WEST REGIONAL CHAIR NOBCCHE
"In the short time that I have had to become acquainted with Sydney, I am very impressed with her credentials and the leadership she has demonstrated at point in her life. Sydney is certainly one to keep an eye on as one of our future leaders."
DR. KIM ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AT NC STATE
"As a university administrator, when we consider what skills sets, experiences, and traits with which we want to equip our graduates, Sydney Floryanzia strikes me as an exemplar. She not only took advantage of so much NC State has to offer, but also gave back to her community. She not only learned critical engineering principles, but also a resiliency that allows her to persevere through challenges. She not only experienced personal success, but also reached behind to inspire and lift others to success. She is “the total package” and we are proud to call her a member of the Pack!"
SCI COMM THROUGH SONG
Listen to my latest song - a cover of Chappell Roan's HOT TO GO! with lyrics about the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)! My Instagram ( @neuro.cheme.queen ) is filled with reel-style videos showing various aspects of my life as a Black, female, scientist - all set to music! Check out both below:
All Videos
Link Unlikely Things | Sydney Floryanzia | TEDxTeen
Brain DOER for CHEVRON HUMAN ENERGY
Why Chemical Engineering??
Sydney Floryanzia | United States SensUS Presentation
Sydney Floryanzia: UW Engage 2024
ChEnected Instagram Takeover with Sydney Floryanzia
Publications
Follow the links below to check out some of my recent research publications! I have published work in in vitro modeling of the blood-brain barrier and neurovascular unit, STEM education and outreach, and in pharmaceutical + machine learning technologies Feel free to contact to me to discuss data or new collaborations :)
FEATURED PROJECTS
My favorite projects to date!
MICROFLUIDIC MODEL OF THE BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER
This project exploits the laminar flow achieved in the small Y-channel of a microfluidic device to create a co-culture of endothelial (HUVEC) and fibroblast (NHLF) cells. Growing these cells in each side of the device (created by the laminar flow) creates a rudimentary model of the blood-brain barrier. I maintained my own lines of both cell types, fabricated the device initially invented by Dr. Ashlyn Young, and troubleshooted experimental conditions.
SENSUS ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR
This project involved developing the chemistry and electrical components required to build a prototype device to detect concentrations of the antibiotic vancomycin. This year-long project resulted in a device called "MIPtide" because of its use of molecularly imprinted polymers and therapeutic interdigitated electrodes. Our team, lead by Dr. Michael Daniele, presented this project in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The video of my presentation is on this site.
NEONATAL COAGULOPATHY
This work was not only my first NSF funded project, but it was the first project I delivered a poster presentation about. On this project I assisted Kim Nellenbach and Dr. Ashley Brown in investigating the role of clotting Factor VII on neonatal coagulopathy. It was also my first experience with ImageJ, which I used to analyze the difference in adult blood clots and neonatal blood clots. In addition, I became IACUC certified to work with animals.
Take a look at the posters for these projects below!
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
A few of my posters I've presented at conferences!
EARLY PROJECTS
These are my early research projects some stretching back to when I was in high school! While these experiences may not be related to my ultimate research goals, it was through these experiences that I learned good research practices I still use today!
MANIPULATION OF RECOMBINANT DNA
This research project was conducted as part of BIT 410, a course in the Biotechnology department offered at NC State. Through this project, using CaMPARI to analyse calcium signaling in cells, I learned DNA technologies such as cloning, transfecting, Western Blot, SDS-PAGE, PCR, and DNA Spectroscopy among other skills.
EGAIN RESPONSIVENESS TO EXTERNAL STIMULI
This project, in Dr. Michael Dickey's lab, gave me my first experience with true experimental design, as I was tasked with setting up apparatuses to investigate and characterize properties of liquid metal EGaIn (eutectic gallium and indium). I worked on this project the summer before my senior year of high school.
CEREBRAL PALSY MODEL / PROSTATE CANCER BEGINNINGS
The projects in these pictures were my first experiences of real laboratory research. The summer before my sophomore year of high school, Dr. Elizabeth Nance invited me to shadow her work for a day surrounding rabbit models of cerebral palsy. The following summer, I shadowed Dr. Sara Conard and her work in the Baldwin lab surrounding prostate cancer research.
Microfluidic Model of the Blood Brain Barrier:
Feb 2019 - Oct 2020
This project solidified my love for chemical engineering research and applying chemical engineering principles to neuroscience research. I saw my coursework interwoven in the fabrication, optimization, and troubleshooting of many aspects of this project from the device measurements to the pressure and flow conditions.
While learning more about the characteristics of the blood-brain barrier and perfecting my aseptic cell culture skills, I gained other technical skills including photolithography, plasma cleaning/bonding, use of syringe and microfluidic pumps, and fluorescent imaging.
I am excited to apply the skills I've gained through this project, at the interface of chemical engineering, microfluidics, and neuroscience, to other similar projects in the future. The photos in the slideshow gallery below show a few key elements involved with working on the project.
SensUs
Nov 2017 - Sept 2018
Working on this project was one of the most significant experiences of my undergraduate career. One reason for this was because of the multiple areas in which I had the opportunity for growth. From the beginning of the project, I was involved with the initial literature survey and determining what experimental method we would actually try to develop. Through the summer, there was long night after long night in the lab cleaning and functionalizing the gold chips to be experimented on and used in the device. Finally, I made some of the images and wrote sections of the conference paper that was accepted by SensUs. I was even given the opportunity to deliver the Public and Translational talks in addition to presenting in the poster session. I was also exposed to the business side of invention and traveled to the Netherlands where I had the opportunity to engage with lab teams from more than 13 different countries around the world.
