EVCNA Expert Interview Series VII - Dr. Steven A. Soper
On November 10, 2022, the Editorial Office of Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids (EVCNA) had an exclusive interview with Prof. Steven A. Soper to discuss his current research projects in micro-/nanofabricated biochemical analysis systems and the challenges of isolation and analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Prof. Soper is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kansas, USA. He is working on generating new tools for discovery and medical diagnostics through the analysis of biological macromolecules including DNAs, RNAs, and proteins. His group also focuses on designing, fabricating, and evaluating microfluidic and nanofluidic chips for cellular and molecular analyses. Last year, Prof. Soper and his colleagues published a review titled "Isolation and analysis methods of extracellular vesicles (EVs)" on EVCNA which covers some traditional and non-traditional technologies for EVs isolation and detection and is by far the most cited article of EVCNA. In this interview, which revolved around the article, Prof. Soper shared more about the isolation and analysis of EVs. Firstly, he briefly introduced his research journey. He then shared his ongoing projects, the unique aspects of microfluidic and nanofluidic chips they are developing for cellular and molecular, and the challenges of EVs analyses. Finally, looking into the future, he talked about his prospection and gave helpful suggestions for researchers to begin their journey in this field.
Watch the following video for expert insights from Dr. Steven A. Soper:
Interview Questions:
Q1: Could you please share with us your journey and why have you chosen to focus your research on micro-/nanofabricated biochemical analysis systems?
Q2: Could you please talk about the ongoing projects your lab is working on now?
Q3: Your lab focused on designing, fabricating, and evaluating microfluidic and nanofluidic chips for cellular and molecular analyses. What are the unique aspects of your approach?
Q4: Could you please introduce us the general challenges in the isolation and analysis of extracellular vesicles?
Q5: What are the advantages of putting together a multidisciplinary team?
Q6: What kind of research goal do you want to achieve in the next five years?
Q7: What advice would you give to early career scientists in starting their own research journey?
About Dr. Steven A. Soper:
Dr. Steven A. Soper, Foundation Distinguished Professor, PI & Director, NIH Center of BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine, USA.
Dr. Soper joined the University of Kansas in 2016, and holds joint appointments in the Departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering. He was previously a faculty member in the University of North Carolina/North Carolina State University Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and the UNC Department of Chemistry (2011 -- 2016) as well as in the Departments of Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, and Biological Sciences at the Louisiana State University (1991 - 2011). Between 2009 and 2012 Dr. Soper held the title of World Class University Professor at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. As one of only 12 Foundation Distinguished Professors, Dr. Soper holds the highest academic rank at the University. He conducts research in novel biomedical devices, concentrating on in vitro cancer diagnostics based on lab-on-a-chip technologies. Dr. Soper is a Fellow of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has received the 1992 R&D 100 Award, the 1994 Shannon Award from the National Institutes of Health, the 1995 Whitaker Foundation Award, and numerous university-level recognitions for research.
Editor: Yan Lei
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids
