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A Family Steeped in the Sciences Inspires a Curiosity in Chronic Wound Care

APS Ph.D. student Daniela Martinez Leal, standing beside a 3D printer, is working with Dr. Wubin Bai to create wearable devices that treat chronic wounds.

By Dave DeFusco

Shaped by a love for hands-on learning, a family legacy of scientific curiosity and a desire to bridge the gap between research and discovery, APS Ph.D. student Daniela Martinez Leal has committed herself to addressing a critical need in chronic wound care: better monitoring to prevent complications, such as infections, sepsis or even amputations. Her work involves designing and testing a wearable device for continuous bacterial monitoring using selective spectrometry.

Chronic wounds, such as those caused by diabetes, pressure ulcers or surgical complications, are a major health concern. Without proper monitoring, these wounds can become infected, leading to serious complications like sepsis or even amputations. Her work under the supervision of Dr. Wubin Bai, an assistant professor at APS, focuses on developing a wearable device for continuous bacterial monitoring using selective spectrometry, which would allow doctors and patients to detect infections instantaneously. This could lead to better patient outcomes, reduced hospital visits and lower healthcare costs, making a significant impact in the field of wound care and medical technology.

“Unlike existing technologies that rely on fluorescence imaging for non-continuous sensing, my goal is to develop a device that provides real-time, localized sensing of bacteria,” she said. “This could allow for earlier detection of infections and better outcomes for patients.”

Her innovative approach includes integrating wound-healing, UV-light therapy into a closed-loop system, enabling localized treatment while monitoring bacterial activity. “It’s about combining sensing and treatment in one device,” she said. “The aim is to create a solution that’s both effective and practical for clinical use.”

Daniela’s fascination with science and engineering started young. Growing up in a family steeped in scientific professions—her father and grandmother are physicians, her mother a clinical laboratory technologist and her grandfather an engineer—she was immersed in an environment that encouraged exploration and creativity.

“My siblings and I would build things together,” said Daniela, “Because we didn’t want to re-create what what we had built, we’d draw instructions for our creations. In hindsight, we were writing out a bill of materials and drafting Lego assembly instructions. It was a great way to spark creativity and problem-solving.”

Her childhood was spent moving between North Carolina, Texas and Frankfurt, Germany, where she attended middle school. Returning to Chapel Hill for high school, Daniela went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in chemistry and applied sciences and engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill. Following graduation, she obtained a master’s degree in MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a rigorous 11-month program that gave her a deep understanding of the technology commercialization process. Her interest in applied sciences was ignited during her junior year of college.

“I remember taking classes like Design and Making,” she said. “It involved going through the engineering process—designing an idea, drawing it out, prototyping it with tools like laser cutters and 3D printers. In the end, I had to convince an audience that my product would solve a problem. It was a condensed version of what can take years in real life, and I loved every moment of it.”

This experience laid the groundwork for her decision to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science. “During my master’s, I focused on technology commercialization,” said Daniela. “But I wanted to dive deeper into the research side. The work being done in Dr. Bai’s lab aligns perfectly with my interests in device development and innovation.”

She has already begun contributing to clinical trials for innovative devices and developing her own research ideas. “I’ve been working on ensuring our prototypes function effectively, working with collaborators to test our devices and collect data to give us the information we need to refine them for real-world applications,” she said.

As Daniela progresses through her Ph.D. program, she envisions a career that combines her love for research and innovation with practical applications. “I’m leaning toward industry,” she said. “Whether it’s in R&D for clinical medical devices, teaching or joining a startup, I want to be at the forefront of developing technologies that make a difference.”

Her supportive academic environment has been instrumental in influencing her career aspirations. “The faculty here are incredible, and the collaborative atmosphere encourages innovation,” she said. “I feel fortunate to have the freedom to pursue ideas I’m passionate about.” 

When she’s not immersed in research, Daniela enjoys playing the ukulele, a hobby she picked up during her first year of college. She also has a background in ballet, having danced for nine years before focusing on her studies.

“I love playing Beatles songs—BlackBird being a favorite—and I know David Bowie’s Starman by heart,” she said.I also learned to dance the Lindy Hop in college. I miss dancing and would love to get back into it someday.”

January 29, 2025