From Fentanyl to DIY Food Safety: Dr. Shalini Prasad’s Groundbreaking Trifecta of Detection Devices

Combining cutting-edge research and real-world applications, the UT Dallas professor transforms public health with innovations in detection technology, including “a check engine light” for the human body.

In collaboration with EnLiSense, the company she cofounded, Dr. Prasad combines chemistry with software and hardware to bring the technology to life as market-ready devices.

Being a scientific researcher who can talk business offers several key benefits, including bridging the gap between the research world and the commercial landscape, while providing proof of concept technology. Dr. Shalini Prasad, a Cecil H. and Ida Greene Professor in Biology Science at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), has the skill to merge scientific research with entrepreneurship. Her work is not just theoretical—she solves chemistry problems. Through EnLiSense, the smart sensor solutions company she cofounded, Prasad delivers practical, portable health-monitoring devices that have a real impact on people’s lives.

Dr. Prasad and her team engineer various point-of-care testing devices. “The opportunity for rapid, immediate critical decision-making can change lives, possibly save lives, or, at the very least, improve the quality of life,” she explains. There are three main technology translation areas that her lab is currently focusing on:  a fentanyl detection system, a do-it-yourself food testing device, and a wearable healthcare monitoring device.  

Bianca David, UT Dallas Bioengineering Research Assistant, measuring a cheek swab for rapid results. [Photo: UTD]

Fighting the Fentanyl Crisis, Rapid Detection Saves Lives

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain management but has also become infamous for its role in the opioid overdose crisis. Fentanyl works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which blocks pain signals and produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and relief. However, the dose needs to be carefully controlled because of its potency.

Fentanyl is also produced illegally and sold on the black market, often mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine without the user’s knowledge. This makes it extremely dangerous, as even a trace amount can cause an overdose.

Rapid testing of fentanyl can save lives. If someone overdoses, the immediate solution is to give them Naloxone (Narcan), but how do you know the right amount to administer? As the handling of fentanyl is also dangerous, it can be a precarious situation for first responders. Dr. Prasad’s team is developing an easy-to-use device to detect the drug in saliva in less than 30 seconds utilizing an ‘ultra-sensitive’ test. Imagine the possibilities this device can have on society, utilizing applied science for real human impact.

Kundan Mishra, UT Dallas Bioengineering Research Assistant, testing salad safety.
[Photo: UTD]

Furthering food safety

A device that could detect food contaminants such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, pesticides, antibiotics, and allergens would benefit a wide range of individuals and organizations involved along the food chain. Ingredient suppliers, food manufacturers and producers, and quality control teams could all be more diligent in ensuring the safety of the food along the supply chain. Restaurants could use the device to prevent cross-contamination in kitchens and ensure their food is allergen-free, complying with food safety regulations. Food safety inspectors could use it as a tool for on-site testing.

As individuals, we could also greatly benefit from such an invention. Do you have allergies? Imagine the empowerment of testing whether an unwanted ingredient was added to your favorite smoothie. Parents of children with allergies would find it invaluable to ensure their child’s food is safe, as the smallest amount could be life-threatening.

All those involved along the food chain require immediate data to make swift decisions. In collaboration with the company Dr. Prasad cofounded, EnLiSense, she integrates chemistry with software and hardware to bring the technology to life in the form of versatile devices suitable for market. She has engineered a portable device for food testing—the READHDx. With its versatility, this device is advantageous for a wide range of food and health professionals who can leverage its benefits.

Dr. Prasad showcases the bioengineered READHDx testing device. [Photo: UTD]

Real-Time Results, Wearable Wellness Tracking

Dr. Prasad’s remarkable contributions to bioengineering at UT Dallas are a testament to her unwavering commitment to enhancing public health. In October 2024, Dr. Prasad was honored with the prestigious Tech Titans Technology Inventor Award for her groundbreaking invention—a unique wearable electrochemical sensor. This sensor, the first of its kind, utilizes perspiration to monitor disease activity and human physiology in real-time. She aptly describes her invention as ‘a check engine light’ for the human body.

Prasad and her team pioneered the study of whether biomarkers could be detected in human sweat. This was groundbreaking because in the molecules they could detect an increase in pro-inflammatory immune proteins generated in the most serious infections. The wearable sensor can detect COVID-19, influenza, sepsis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS).

According to EnLiSense Wearables’ website the devices are painless, reliable, and cost-effective sensor technology that measures health markers through the skin. With just a tiny amount of naturally expressed sweat, you can get real-time data delivered through an app, making it easy to take ownership of your wellness tracking. 

Dr. Prasad’s lab is a collaborative effort, which she compares to building blocks. You can take blocks and assemble them in various ways, coming up with a different shape or a different application. Then, you can work in teams and pair the blocks together. Her team is working on creating the best combination of chemistry and technology to help in real-world situations today and in the future.

For more information or collaboration opportunities, email [email protected].

Story by Alyssa Galganov, Office of Research and Innovation, The University of Texas at Dallas.


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