Arlington, Virginia
March 12, 2023
March 12, 2023
March 14, 2023
Professional Engineering Education Papers
9
10.18260/1-2--45048
https://peer.asee.org/45048
135
Dr. Dorina Marta Mihut is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Mercer University School of Engineering. She graduated with Ph.D. in Materials Science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ph.D. in Technical Physics at Babes-Bolyai University, Romania; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Technical University Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her teaching and research interests are in the area of materials science and engineering, thin films and coatings depositions using physical vapor deposition systems and related analysis, coatings for wear and corrosion resistance improvement, environmental protection, protection against electromagnetic interference, and antibacterial coatings. Before joining Mercer University, Dr. Dorina Mihut worked as Associate Professor at The University of Texas Pan American, TX, USA, and as Process Engineer at Ion Bond, IHI Group, USA.
Education
Ph.D Materials Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Ph.D Technical Physics, Babes-Balyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj – Napoca, Romania
Abstract:
Microbial aggregation and biofilm formation play a vital role in many health-related problems, such as human infections, shortage of antifungals, and contamination of medical devices and implants. Students from the Mechanical Engineering and Biology Department are committed to working together under the frame of an independent study class and investigating methods for inhibiting biofilm growth and proliferation by creating surfaces with antimicrobial properties. The interdisciplinary aspect of the work helps students from engineering disciplines understand the importance of medical and biological problems and collaborate with students from the biology department in search of viable solutions. They are investigating the development of Candida spp. biofilms on several different biocompatible surfaces coated with copper and silver metallic thin films. Mechanical engineering students will directly contribute to selecting and manufacturing the biocompatible substrate materials and subsequently coat each material by metallization with varying thicknesses of metallic thin films using the magnetron sputtering technique (equipment located in the Mechanical Engineering Department). All students will be exposed to "hands-on" experience and collaborate to understand the specifics of the engineering, biology and biomedical related problems. The development of Candida strains will be further examined by students in Biology Department using standardized methods for quantifying the growth and inhibition of the fungi. Students will work directly on the engineering and biology applied research and collaborate to analyze their research results. They will work together to build appropriate materials (power point presentation and posters) for future presentations to students and professional conferences.
Mihut, D. M., & Hasim, S. (2023, March), Study of Candida albicans Biofilm Inhibition on Coated Medical Devices Paper presented at ASEE Southeast Section Conference, Arlington, Virginia. 10.18260/1-2--45048
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