Sikander Ameer earned his bachelor's degree (2014) and master's degree (2016) in agricultural engineering from the University of Agriculture, Pakistan. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in agricultural and biosystems engineering at South Dakota State University, where his research centers on developing and applying laser-induced graphene (LIG) biosensors for rapid, in-field detection of soil nitrogen, a critical nutrient for sustainable crop production. This work bridges engineering, environmental science, and precision agriculture and reflects his broader interest in advancing technologies that are both effective and accessible to diverse agricultural stakeholders, including smallholder farmers and underserved communities. He also is working on the development of LIG biosensors to measure NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in soil in real time. To assist farmers in the future, he will create a three-in-one biosensor device to give them a portable and easy-to-use tool to measure the NPK level of soil. Ameer has mentored undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them navigate research and graduate school opportunities. He also has led hands-on soil science workshops in rural areas.

Research Interests

Biosensor