Theodore Anyika
Graduate Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Ndukaife Research Group
Theodore Anyika is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering in Professor Justus Ndukaife’s lab, where his research sits at the intersection of nanophotonics and optofluidics. He has developed nanotweezers that use metallic and dielectric resonant nanostructures, along with various electrohydrodynamic phenomena, to trap objects far smaller than the wavelength of light. His goal is to trap and characterize nanoplastics and extracellular vesicles directly in solution, label-free and even at extremely low concentrations.
As a physics major, Theodore was always drawn to the idea of using the electromagnetic field of light to interact with physical objects. After attending a seminar on nanotweezers, he was intrigued by how many applications they could enable.
VINSE has been central to his work. Its cleanroom and characterization facilities are where he fabricates his devices, and its community has shaped how he thinks and collaborates as a researcher, including at NanoDay, where Theodore was fortunate to win first place for his poster in 2023. As a VINSE superuser, he also gives back to the community by leading user training and helping staff troubleshoot equipment. In the future, he aims to make nanoplastic characterization more cost-effective and efficient, even at low concentrations, to help overcome some of the current bottlenecks in the field.
Beyond his Ph.D., Theodore plans to transition into industry and apply the skills developed, and the VINSE Industry Affiliates mentorship program has been a great resource as he makes that move. Outside the lab, you can find him hiking, roller-skating, and seeking out daunting experiences like skydiving.