Student Spotlight: Tuhina Saxena
As a PhD student in the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, Tuhina Saxena is helping shape the future of low-cost, scalable wearable health technologies. Working in Professor Wenzhuo Wu's lab, she focuses on developing next-generation sensors built from 2D materials; an intersection of industrial engineering, materials science, and human-centered innovation.
Tuhina’s recent project centers on a wearable sensor made from zinc oxide nanostructures engineered to produce a piezoelectric signal. The device aims to monitor heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of fatigue and stress. With drowsy driving contributing to an estimated 60% of traffic accidents, Tuhina hopes this accessible, cost-effective technology could someday play a role in improving roadway safety. “We have a working sensor, and we’re continuing to make progress,” she said. “The long-term goal is to create something scalable that could meaningfully reduce fatigue-related accidents.”
Her path to materials research began during her undergraduate studies in metallurgical engineering, where a fascination with futuristic materials, like self-healing “Wolverine”-inspired compounds used in aerospace, sparked her shift toward 2D materials. When exploring graduate programs, she sought faculty working in this space. “The moment I saw Professor Wu’s research, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” she said.
Tuhina Saxena
This year, Tuhina delivered her first oral conference presentations, an experience she describes as “very anxious at first, but incredibly rewarding.” With encouragement from her lab colleagues, she saw rapid growth in her confidence as a communicator—a skill she now views as essential for any researcher. Her poster “Design and Scalable Nanomanufacturing of Nanoscale Oxide-Based Wearable Sensors for In-Vehicle Health Monitoring,” was recognized for its research quality, clarity of presentation, and engaging discussion with the judges at the Women’s Global Health Institute Graduate Student Poster Session, earning second place. She also earned a nomination for Best Poster at the MRS conference, adding to a year of professional milestone that includes Six Sigma Lean Green Belt through IISE and Semiconductor Design and Fabrication certifications through Purdue and Synopsis.
Outside the lab, Tuhina finds joy in cooking, which she credits as her favorite stress-relief. “I’m a big foodie. I love spending weekends experimenting with dishes—biryani and pasta are my go-to,” she laughed. “Cooking boosts my mood and helps me reset.”
Tuhina’s journey reflects the spirit of Purdue IE: interdisciplinary curiosity, real-world impact, and a commitment to continuous growth. We look forward to seeing where her research takes her next.