Samuel Esan

• Microfluidics and Optical Scientist with a Ph.D. in Physics and over 4 years of experience driving research in microfluidic device design and development. Recognized for pioneering contributions and top-tier publications, I excel in leveraging advanced optical techniques to innovate across interdisciplinary boundaries. Proven ability to lead impactful projects and collaborate effectively, dedicated to advancing scientific frontiers and translating theory into practical solutions.

• I contributed to an APL Photonics (American Institute of Physics) review article which focused on optical methods for bacteria detection and characterisation (doi: 10.1063/5.0057787). In addition to being a featured article in the journal, this article was also featured on Scilight (https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/10.0006058) and was recognised as one of the journal's best article.
• Improved experiment efficiency by co-developing a novel porting technique for PDMS microfluidics devices.
• Developed a novel optical system and microfluidic device for the rapid detection of bacterial cells.
• Developed a separation microfluidic device that achieved over 80% recovery efficiency for bacteria cells from large debris.

Fluidic MEMS Summer School - Jade University of Applied Sciences, Germany

• Esan, Ayomikun & Vanholsbeeck, F. & Swift, Simon & McGoverin, Cushla. (2023). Continuous separation of bacterial cells from large debris using a spiral microfluidic device. Biomicrofluidics. 17. 10.1063/5.0159254.
• C. McGoverin, C. Steed, A. Esan, J. Robertson, S. Swift, and F. Vanholsbeeck, “Optical methods for bacterial detection and characterization,” APL Photonics, vol. 6, p. 080903, Aug. 2021. Publisher: American Institute of Physics.
• Esan, Ayomikun & Steed, Craig & McGoverin, Cushla & Swift, Simon & Vanholsbeeck, F.. (2023). Optical Trapping of Micro-Particles and Bacterial Cells in a Flow-Focusing Microfluidic Device. 1-1. 10.1109/CLEO/Europe-EQEC57999.2023.10231999.
• A. Esan, T. Van Der Heyde, C. McGoverin, S. Swift, and F. Vanholsbeeck, “A single channel microfluidic device with integrated optical fibre for large volume detection and enumeration of bacterial cells,” Frontiers in Optics/Laser Science, 2022. Publisher: Optica Publishing Group.

• RHT Bates Scholarship Award by the Royal Society of New Zealand (2022).
• Amplify Optics Scholarship Award by Optica (2022).
• Dodd-Walls Centre Travel Award for Microfluidics Professional Course at University of Toronto, Canada (2019).
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship for Microfluidics Summer School at Jade University, Germany (2019).
• Dodd-Walls Centre PhD Scholarship Award, New Zealand (2018).
• Science and Engineering Scholarship Award for Postgraduate Masters at the University of Glasgow, UK (2016).
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Award for Master’s degree at the University of Glasgow, UK (2016).

• OPTICA
• SPIE
• Australian Optical Society
• Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies

• Development and regular update of the research website of the Bio-photonics research group at the University of Auckland.
• Volunteered as a node-champion to coordinate the 2021 ANZCOP conference in Auckland, New Zealand.
• Volunteered at the Lion x Sustainable Coastlines Beach Clean Up at Clendon Park, where I was part of a team that collectively eliminated 1100 litres of litter from the Clendon Park waterway.
• Participated in the Graeme Dingle Foundation Volunteer Day at Te Hōnonga a Iwi: Restoring Rosedale Park. Te Hōnonga a Iwi is a holistic project that aims to be the first carbon-free restoration project in Australasia

Available on request