After five or 10 years, most UNLV employees have racked up at least one or two parking ticket stories to share.

Shengjie (Patrick) Zhai, who first joined UNLV as a doctoral student in 2009, fits nicely into that category. But, the now-assistant professor’s latest parking faux pas happened about an hour north of campus at Valley of Fire State Park.

When Zhai isn’t in the lab, you’re likely to catch him taking photos out in nature, most often at state and national parks. And that’s exactly what one park ranger found him doing on a recent weekend without a permit.

“I played photographer for one of my students who recently got married,” he said, adding that he didn’t recall seeing a sign posted anywhere with permitting requirements. It’s also an example of how Zhai goes above and beyond for his students: wanting them to succeed and find fulfillment in and out of the classroom.

The experience, he said, won’t deter his hobby, one that commenced in earnest shortly after he arrived in Las Vegas more than 15 years ago during a trip to Zion National Park. He might even find some time to journey to Yosemite this summer to beat the desert heat.

Tell us about an object in your office and what it represents to you.

A few weeks ago, I drove to Death Valley. I wanted to see Badwater Basin now because it has water, which is such a rare occurrence. I collected a sample of salt formation — an element that resonated deeply with my work in nanomaterials and biomaterials research.

Observing the crystalline structure formed from high concentrations of sodium ions, I was struck by the purity of the resultant salt after its journey through crystallization, evaporation, and drying.

This curiosity about transformation under unique conditions also threads through my professional endeavors. A few years back, I sent 25 microfluidic devices to the International Space Station to explore how the zero-gravity environment would affect the growth and behavior of oral bacteria. Inspired by my trip to Badwater Basin, I wondered about the potential changes in salt, ions, and liquids under microgravity. Alongside my graduate student, Daniela Nikoloska, we developed a compact device to simulate these conditions. Our goal is to see if we can mimic the formation of Badwater's salt crystals in space, capturing the beauty of science in action.

Is there a real-world application to this line of inquiry?

This inquiry was more for fun. I’m a scientist, so I’m curious about everything. Crystals, with their unique structures, pose an intriguing question: What transformations might they undergo in the weightlessness of space? Could this collection of ions and proteins under microgravity conditions open new frontiers in medicine development and manufacturing? Such questions could propel us toward exciting discoveries and possible advancements in health care.

The Advanced Engineering Building opened this spring, and I hear you’re moving in. Why do you think your lab belongs in the AEB?

My research is highly interdisciplinary. It combines biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, which fits right into the college’s goal to foster cross-discipline collaborations in the new building and around the engineering complex. You’ll find similar open spaces like this at other top-ranked universities.

This dynamic setting is particularly beneficial for my research group as we’re exploring more and more ways to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into our research. I’m thankful that College of Engineering Dean Rama Venkat led the way in transforming the complex into a hub where ideas from biomedical engineering and beyond intermingle in an effort to bolster innovation.

What’s the last big research project you completed?

I recently wrapped up the first year of a three-year project funded by a $1 million grant from the Department of Energy, where we harnessed AI to develop early detection methods for methane gas leaks. Methane is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and our research offers promising strategies to mitigate its impact on climate change.

Throughout this project, we integrated electronic and mechanical engineering techniques to create simulations of methane gas plumes, investigating how they adapt to various environmental influences such as wind. By employing AI models, we were able to construct three-dimensional representations of these plumes under diverse atmospheric conditions, enhancing our ability to detect them early.

You just won Megabucks and want to give back to the university. What would you support and why?

The next generation: our students. They are the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations and insightful research. Yet, their potential often hinges on one crucial factor: financial support.

I’m committed to nurturing their potential by providing scholarships and fellowships that allow them to devote their energy and time to developing real-world innovations or producing research. I’m especially passionate about empowering students from diverse backgrounds — female scholars in STEM, underrepresented minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community. These students bring unique perspectives that enrich our scientific inquiry.

Also, many undergrad students who are looking to get into medical school choose my lab to gain research experience. Over the past two years alone, my lab has supported three students who have received medical school offers.

How has campus changed since you first arrived as a doctoral student in 2009? 

The evolution of the university has been nothing short of spectacular. The physical expansion of campus is one thing, but our student body has also grown so much. In our electrical and computer engineering department alone our enrollment has almost doubled since the time I first arrived on campus.

And our students have changed and impacted our research for the better. The students of today harness cutting-edge technologies with ease and approach their studies and research with a global perspective. They are wanting to apply new techniques and new methods to their research. I love their ideas and their way of thinking.

What is your best tip or advice for a researcher who is new to UNLV? 

Always stay updated with funding agency websites to understand their preferences for upcoming cycles. Each year, these agencies tailor their focus based on current market trends. Presently, AI is the trendsetter, capturing significant interest and investment across various funding bodies, from the National Institutes of Health to the National Science Foundation. Staying informed allows you to align your proposals with their evolving priorities, maximizing your chances of securing support.

You clearly have a passion for AI. How is AI helping you break new ground in biomedical research?

As a diehard Iron Man fan, the concept of J.A.R.V.I.S. — the digital personal assistant from the movies — has inspired some of my recent work. What if we could develop something similar for health care: A digital personal medical assistant that constantly monitors health conditions and is accessible to everyone, especially those who can’t afford high medical costs?

We’re making this happen in real life by merging cutting-edge technology like large language models, similar to ChatGPT, with wearable biosensors. Through a system like this, advanced AI would communicate directly with biosensors worn on the body, analyzing data in real time to offer precise health interventions and alerts. It’s like having a mini J.A.R.V.I.S. right on your wrist!

This technology has led to an international collaboration — the 100,000 Strong in the Americas CLIMA grant between the U.S. and Brazil. Our ultimate goal is to roll out an affordable, precise diagnostic system that could revolutionize health care in developing countries.

What was the last book you couldn’t put down and why? 

Becoming Steve Jobs. I’m a super fan of Steve Jobs — he changed the world and redefined our digital landscape. Consider this: Could you imagine a day without your iPhone now? This device has not only changed our way of interacting with the world but has also introduced us to a whole new set of anxieties, like battery life.

I also want to do that — change the world — at least a little bit. That’s the dream. I am committed to discovering solutions that significantly improve lives. As a biomedical engineer, my goal is to develop technologies that democratize health care, making it more affordable and accessible, especially for those from underprivileged backgrounds. My dream is to bridge the disparities in our health care system, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic status, has access to quality health services.