Karina Torres-Castro, PhD

Bio:

Karina Torres-Castro joined the College of Engineering in Fall 2025 as Manager of Research and Innovation and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her research focuses on the intersection of microfluidics, computational fluid dynamics, and system integration, with applications in lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip technologies. She aims to integrate a range of electromechanical techniques such as dielectrophoresis, impedance sensing, and acoustofluidics to advance these systems.

Through her role, she promotes collaborative research partnerships between faculty and industry, with strong potential for scalability and technology transfer.

Education:

• University of Virginia, Electrical Engineering, Ph.D. 2022
   

Professional Experience:

• Manager of Research and Innovation, College of Engineering (CEAS), Stony Brook University, 2025-present
• Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, 2025-present
• Research Associate, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 2023-2025
• NIST-Prep Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgetown University, 2022-2023
• Co-founder, Splitcell Biotechnology, 2020-2024
• Graduate Research Assistant, University of Virginia, 2016-2022
• Solar Energy Consultant, IguanaSolar (Startup), 2013-2016
• R&D Engineer, University of Costa Rica (CELEQ), 2013-2015
• Process Engineer, Firestone Industrial Products, 2010-2013
• RF Project and Material tests Intern, Ad Astra Rocket Company, 2009-2010

Overview:

Karina Torres-Castro  works on developing microfluidic systems to measure various biophysical and/or condensed-matter properties, as well as electrokinetics-based techniques for particle and microstructure manipulation. 

Her interests include fluid metrology, particle manipulation and characterization, microsystem integration technologies, and bioelectronics.

Highlights & Accomplishments:

• Designed and developed dielectrophoretic separation bio-particle devices.
• Designed and integrated acoustic and impedance sensors for real-time monitoring and actuation into OoC devices.
• Designed and modeled efficient microfluidic cooling packaging for 3D-IC stacks
  
  

Research Interests:

• Bio and Microelectronics
• Biomechanical and biomedical implantable devices
• Lab and Organ on Chip devices
• Microsystems integration technologies

• LIMEP, CEWIT and CEAS Hosts Robotics Listening Session to Strengthen Regional Manufacturing Collaboration
• International Collaboration Targets Costly Livestock Diseases