LTU Biomedical Engineering Student Elena Selik Selected for Elite Vanderbilt University program to Advance Nanotechnology
Elena Selik is already operating in spaces most engineering students do not reach until much later in their academic careers.
The Lawrence Technological University biomedical engineering sophomore has been selected for the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, one of the most competitive undergraduate research opportunities in the country. Each year, only about eight students nationwide are admitted.
Her selection reflects a research trajectory that began well before most students enter the field. Selik started working alongside LTU faculty as a high school student and has continued to build a broad and technically diverse portfolio of work. Her experience spans vaping aerosol analysis with Dr. Hao Jiang, Associate Professor, Director, Aerosol Research Laboratory, Director, MSBME Graduate Program; lactate sensor development with Dr. Yawen Li, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering; and microplastics research with Dr. Amanda Flack, Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering.
“Elena has developed a level of research maturity that is uncommon at this stage,” Jiang said. “She is able to move between projects, ask the right questions, and contribute in ways that go beyond what we typically expect from an undergraduate student.”
That range is part of what makes her selection significant. The Vanderbilt VINSE REU program places students in advanced nanotechnology research environments, where success depends on both technical ability and adaptability. Selik’s experience working across biomedical and environmental applications positions her to contribute in meaningful ways.
“Programs like VINSE are designed for students who are ready to engage at a high level,” Jiang said “Elena has demonstrated that readiness through her work and her consistency.”
In addition to her selection to the Vanderbilt program, Selik has been named this year’s recipient of LTU’s College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Award, further recognizing both her contributions and her potential.
Together, these milestones point to a clear trajectory. Selik is building the kind of foundation that leads to impact in fields where research, technology, and human health intersect. At LTU, that trajectory is by design. Students are encouraged to engage early, work across disciplines, and contribute to research that extends beyond the classroom. For Selik, the opportunity at Vanderbilt is the next step in a path already defined by curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to advancing the field.
