Ronen Polsky

Principal Member of the Technical Staff

Author profile picture

Principal Member of the Technical Staff

rpolsky@sandia.gov

(505) 845-3672

Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico
 P.O. Box 5800
 Albuquerque, NM 87185-0892

Biography

Ronen Polsky’s research activities are focused on the fundamental principles and fabrication of devices related to chemical and biological sensors. State of the art microfabrication techniques allow miniaturization of electronic components and integration of sensing transducers to create portable sensors with advanced multi-functional capabilities. Polsky and his team have demonstrated the ability to create high density microelectrode array chips that are individually addressable for the simultaneous multiplexed detection of diverse biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and small molecules. Recently, they have pioneered the use of microneedles for minimally invasive medical diagnostics. Wearable health monitors represent a new paradigm for continuous real-time point of care diagnostics that can bring the laboratory to the field which has major implications in both public health and national defense arenas.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree: Chemistry, New Mexico State University (1991-1996)

Master’s Degree: Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University (1996-1998)

Doctoral Degree: Chemistry, New Mexico State University (1999-2005)

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2005-2006)

During Polsky’s my master’s studies, he worked in a laboratory exclusively devoted to the sonochemical preparation of nanoparticles. His thesis emphasis was the preparation of II-VI, III-V inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals. His Ph.D. and postdoctoral work focused on nanomaterial-based electronic detection of biomolecules. This includes the electrochemical detection of DNA and proteins using metal nanoparticle labels.

Featured Video

Health monitoring with wearable microneedle technology | Ronen Polsky | TEDxABQ

Sandia News Articles

Publications

  • Downs, A.M., Bolotsky, A., Weaver, B.M., Bachman, W.B., Wolff, N., Polsky, R., Miller, P.R., & Miller, P.R. (2023). Microneedle electrochemical aptamer-based sensing: Real-time small molecule measurements using sensor-embedded, commercially-available stainless steel microneedles. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2023.115408 Publication ID: 106932
  • Downs, A.M., Miller, P., Weaver, B.M., Wolff, N., Polsky, R., Mings, A.J., Larson, S.R., Coombes, K., & Coombes, K. (2022). Electrochemical aptamer-based sensors: A field-applicable approach for real-time monitoring of small molecule targets in blood and skin [Conference Poster]. https://doi.org/10.2172/2006069 Publication ID: 121004
  • Polsky, R. (2022). Transdermal Microneedle Sensors to Monitor Human Health and Performance [Conference Presenation]. https://doi.org/10.2172/2002425 Publication ID: 110628
  • Bachman, W.B., Bachman, W.B., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2020). Pre Symptomatic COVID Screening. https://doi.org/10.2172/1673817 Publication ID: 100300
  • Treece, A., Corbin, W.C., Caskey, S.A., Krishnakumar, R., Williams, K.P., Branch, D.W., Harmon, B.N., Polsky, R., Bauer, T.L., Finley, P.D., Jeffers, R., Safta, C., Makvandi, M., Laird, C., Domino, S.P., Ho, C.K., Grillet, A.M., Pacheco, J.L., Nemer, M., … Thelen, P.M. (2020). COVID-19 LDRD Project Summaries. https://doi.org/10.2172/1617440 Publication ID: 105920
  • Polsky, R. (2019). Transdermal Microneedle Sensors [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1640796 Publication ID: 69182
  • Polsky, R. (2019). Transdermal Microneedles to Monitor Performance and Health [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1639785 Publication ID: 68010
  • Anthony, S.M., Miller, P.R., Timlin, J.A., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2019). Imaging effectiveness calculator for non-design microscope samples. Applied Optics, 58(22), pp. 6027-6037. https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.58.006027 Publication ID: 65323
  • Miller, P.R., Branda, S., Polsky, R., Baca, J.T., & Baca, J.T. (2018). Extraction and biomolecular analysis of dermal interstitial fluid collected with hollow microneedles. Communications Biology, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0170-z Publication ID: 80709
  • Polsky, R., Xiao, X., Burckel, D.B., Bachman, W.B., Michaels, J., Washburn, C.M., Brozik, S.M., Wheeler, D.R., & Wheeler, D.R. (2018). Lithographically Defined Electrodes [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1806897 Publication ID: 60234
  • Miller, P.R., Sammon, J.P., Polsky, R., Pfeifer, N.B., Ackerman, E., & Ackerman, E. (2018). Microneedle Sensors for in situ Measurements in Sorghum [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1500201 Publication ID: 61077
  • Miller, P.R., Polsky, R., Pfeifer, N.B., & Pfeifer, N.B. (2017). Microneedles for wearable sensing and interstitial fluid collection [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1485722 Publication ID: 54589
  • Polsky, R. (2017). Electrochemical Detection of Single Molecules in Nanogap Electrode Fluidic Devices. https://doi.org/10.2172/1494168 Publication ID: 58666
  • Miller, P.R., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2017). Microneedles for Wearable Sensing and Interstitial Fluid Collection [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1478301 Publication ID: 53602
  • Miller, P.R., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2016). On Body Transdermal Microneedle-Based Diagnostic Device to Measure Biomarker Signatures and Report on Human Performance [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1375607 Publication ID: 51670
  • Kent, M.S., Avina, I.C., Rader, N.C., Busse, M., George, A., Sathitsuksanoh, N., Giron, N.H., Timlin, J.A., Polsky, R., Chavez, V.H., Huber, D.L., Sale, K.L., Simmons, B., & Simmons, B. (2016). New assay for lignin depolymerization based on lignin films [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1365676 Publication ID: 49119
  • Polsky, R., Miller, P.R., Rivas, R., Johnson, D., Edwards, T.L., Koskelo, M., Shawa, L., Brener, I., Chavez, V.H., & Chavez, V.H. (2015). Handheld Microneedle-Based Electrolyte Sensing Platform. https://doi.org/10.2172/1331523 Publication ID: 46492
  • Polsky, R., Appelhans, L., Wheeler, D.R., Jungjohann, K.L., Hayes, D.C., de Campbell, A., Rudolph, A., Rivas, R., Zubelewicz, M.C., Shreve, A., Graves, S., Brozik, S., & Brozik, S. (2015). Optical Polarization Based Genomic Sensor. https://doi.org/10.2172/1494351 Publication ID: 45993
  • Burckel, D., Xiao, X., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2015). Lithographically defined three-dimensional graphene scaffolds [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1340145 Publication ID: 44513
  • Rivas, R., Miller, P.R., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2015). Hand-Held Microneedle-Based Diagnostic Device [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1268153 Publication ID: 44460
  • Polsky, R. (2015). Transdermal Microneedle Sensors [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1262935 Publication ID: 44344
  • Xiao, X., Fischer, A.J., Coltrin, M.E., Lu, P., Koleske, D., Wang, G.T., Polsky, R., Tsao, J.Y., & Tsao, J.Y. (2015). Photoelectrochemical etching of epitaxial InGaN thin films: Self-limited kinetics and nanostructuring. Electrochimica Acta, 162(C), pp. 163-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.10.085 Publication ID: 38249
  • Polsky, R. (2015). Microneedles MedTech Showcase Presentation [Conference Poster]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1240337 Publication ID: 42293
  • Kent, M.S., Avina, I.C., Rader, N.C., Turner, K., George, A., Timlin, J.A., Polsky, R., Ricken, B., Sale, K.L., Simmons, B., & Simmons, B. (2014). Fuels and Chemicals from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Valorization of Lignin [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1242073 Publication ID: 39261
  • Brozik, S.M., Polsky, R., de Campbell, A., Manginell, R., Moorman, M.W., Edwards, T.L., Anderson, J.M., Pfeifer, K.B., Branch, D.W., Wheeler, D.R., & Wheeler, D.R. (2013). Genomics-enabled sensor platform for rapid detection of viruses related to disease outbreak. https://doi.org/10.2172/1096502 Publication ID: 35904
  • Heinrichs, T.D., Polsky, R., & Polsky, R. (2013). Dimensional Graphene Architectures [Presentation]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1666045 Publication ID: 34826
  • Sparks, E.S., Moorman, M.W., Edwards, T.L., Polsky, R., Brozik, S.M., & Brozik, S.M. (2013). Three-Dimensional Modeling and Simulation of DNA Hybridization Kinetics and Mass Transport as Functions of Temperature in a Microfluidic Channel. Electrophoresis. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1145350 Publication ID: 32276
  • Spoerke, E.D., Polsky, R., Burckel, D., Bunker, B.C., & Bunker, B.C. (2012). Rapid thermal pyrolysis of interferometrically patterned resist. Carbon, 50(8), pp. 2894-2898. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84859626451&origin=inward Publication ID: 23638
  • Polsky, R., Beechem, T., Burckel, D., & Burckel, D. (2012). Interferometrically Defined 3D Pyrolyzed-Carbon Sensors [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1118308 Publication ID: 25823
  • Sasaki, D.Y., Polsky, R., Clark, B.G., Hattar, K., & Hattar, K. (2011). Recent developments in the use of a microfluidic stage for in situ TEM studies [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1289786 Publication ID: 24649
  • Harper, J.C., Edwards, T.L., Polsky, R., Wheeler, D.R., Brozik, S.M., & Brozik, S.M. (2011). Development of Multifunctional Electrode Arrays for Medical Diagnostics and Environmental Monitoring [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1120360 Publication ID: 23981
  • Polsky, R., Washburn, C., & Washburn, C. (2011). Interferometric Lithography Patterned Pyrolytic Carbon [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1107719 Publication ID: 23021
  • Harper, J.C., Edwards, T.L., Polsky, R., Wheeler, D.R., Brozik, S.M., & Brozik, S.M. (2011). Development of Multifunctional Electrode Arrays for Medical Diagnostics [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1109401 Publication ID: 21600
  • Polsky, R., Washburn, C., Koleske, D., & Koleske, D. (2010). Pyrolysis of 2D and 3D Interferometrically Patterned Resist Structures. Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology – B, 28(6). https://doi.org/10.1116/1.3495756 Publication ID: 18745
  • Polsky, R., Washburn, C., Koleske, D., & Koleske, D. (2010). Fabrication and applications of sub-micron 2D and 3D periodic carbon structures [Conference]. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1124442 Publication ID: 17127
  • Davis, R.W., Hayes, D.C., Wheeler, D.R., Polsky, R., Brozik, S.M., & Brozik, S.M. (2009). Advanced optical measurements for characterizing photophysical properties of single nanoparticles. https://doi.org/10.2172/972888 Publication ID: 16740
Showing 10 of 36 publications.