A University of Guelph biomedical engineering student is one of ten finalists for the prestigious 2016 Sunnybrook Research Prize, the second year in a row that a Guelph student has made the final round.

Robert Hunter will present his research on the use of biosensors for diagnosis, management and tracking of diabetes to a judging panel on Friday, Jan. 8.

The annual competition is intended to recognize excellence in undergraduate research and promote careers in biomedical research.

Last year, Guelph student Evan Wright made the contest finals. Both students worked in the BioNano Lab at U of G led by engineering professor Suresh Neethirajan. Lab researchers use nanoscale imaging tools and instruments to study biological systems.

Hunter used microscopic materials, including graphene oxide, to develop an inexpensive hand-held biosensor that rapidly detects diabetes in a user-friendly home test, said Neethirajan.

“It is different because it can distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes from the same droplet of blood,” he said.

“Participation in this competition will allow Robert to not only showcase his research skills gained at Guelph but also establish valuable contacts, which will benefit his career and connections with industry.”