About

Maral Mousavi is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at USC Viterbi School of Engineering, holding the Edna Chow and Daniel Maneval Early Career Chair in Biomedical Engineering. She joined USC in 2019 after completing her PhD at the University of Minnesota and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University within the research group of Prof. George Whitesides at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. Her research spans point-of-care diagnostics, electrochemical sensors, wearable devices, neural probes, and tools for precision medicine, with a focus on addressing health disparities through the development of innovative diagnostic and mechanistic study tools. Her work aims to develop affordable healthcare solutions, including point-of-care diagnostics and bioanalytical tools to better understand disease pathophysiology. Her research projects include creating accessible diagnostic devices, textile-based sensors for sweat analysis, utilizing fluorous compounds for sensor design, and designing neural probes for measuring acetylcholine dynamics in the brain, which is significant in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Recognized for her creative research, Mousavi has received numerous awards such as the NIH Director's New Innovator Award, 3M Nontenured Faculty Award, and the Zumberge Diversity and Inclusion Research Award. She is also dedicated to addressing disparities in graduate education and healthcare, founding a YouTube channel titled 'Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education' to provide accessible training on soft skills, technical skills, and well-being strategies for graduate students.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials science
• Inorganic chemistry
• Optoelectronics
• Nanotechnology
• Pathology
• Medicine
• Engineering
• Risk analysis (engineering)
• Crystallography
• Quantum mechanics
• Electrical engineering
• Physical chemistry
• Chromatography

Selected publications

• Sacral stimulation and colonic multi-sensor recording from Yucatan minipigs

  Pennsieve Discover · 2026-01-01

  datasetOpen access

  This dataset contains electrophysiological and sensor data on the effects of sacral root stimulation on colon motility. Sensors include manometry, strain sensing, electromyography, and electrochemical measurement of neurotransmitters.

  PublisherDOI

• Sacral stimulation and multisensor colonic motility recording in minipigs v1

  2026-01-06

  articleOpen access

  This protocol describes acute experiments involving sacral stimulation of minipigs while monitoring distal colon motility. Stimulation at various amplitudes and frequencies is applied to the S2 or S3 sacral roots using a bipolar cuff. Colon motility is monitored using multiple sensing modalities including electromyography (EMG), colon wall strain sensing, intraluminal pressure manometry, and electrochemical dopamine sensing.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• At‐Home Early Diagnosis of Mastitis: Calibration‐Free Analysis of Sodium to Potassium Ratio in Breast Milk

  Advanced Functional Materials · 2025-10-04 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Mastitis occurs when blocked milk ducts lead to inflammation of the breast tissue and can cause significant discomfort for breastfeeding mothers. A key biomarker for mastitis is the altered sodium‐to‐potassium (Na + /K + ) ratio in breast milk due to tight junction dysfunction. In this work, MAMAWEL is introduced, the first potentiometric sensor designed for at‐home mastitis diagnosis. This device integrates Na + and K + sensors with an ionic‐liquid‐based reference electrode, enabling early detection of mastitis before clinical symptoms arise. To ensure reliable, calibration‐free operation, 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy (TEMPO) is incorporated, a redox buffer that establishes a thermodynamically controlled interface, enhancing sensor reproducibility. Comparative analysis with commercially available sensors demonstrates that MAMAWEL effectively differentiates between healthy and mastitis‐affected milk samples, achieving a concentration estimation error margin of less than 10%. Designed for both wearable and point‐of‐care applications, MAMAWEL has the potential to transform early mastitis detection, reducing maternal discomfort and promoting breastfeeding health.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Flexible Acetylcholine Neural Probe with a Fluorous-Phase Sensing Membrane

  ECS Meeting Abstracts · 2025-11-24

  articleSenior author

  Acetylcholine (ACh) is a vital neurotransmitter responsible for modulating neuromuscular function, autonomic regulation, and higher-order processes such as learning and memory. Abnormal ACh levels in biofluids are associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia, rendering its precise and temporally resolved measurement critical. A variety of techniques have been employed for ACh detection. Non-electrochemical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical or mass spectrometry detection, offer high sensitivity and specificity. However, they require complex sample preparation, are costly, and lack real-time or in vivo applicability. Optical sensing approaches—including fluorescence and colorimetric assays based on enzyme-linked detection—are simpler and can be adapted for high-throughput settings, but they suffer from limited stability, potential interference from autofluorescence in biological tissues, and challenges in miniaturization for implantable use. Electrochemical sensing methods, particularly amperometric biosensors using acetylcholinesterase-based enzymatic cascades, enable continuous monitoring and miniaturization, yet their selectivity is compromised in high-salt environments and their performance can degrade over time due to enzyme instability. Potentiometric sensors, by contrast, offer zero-current, label-free detection compatible with chronic in vivo use, but conventional designs using lipophilic membranes (e.g., PVC plasticized with NPOE) are hampered by limited selectivity and high detection limits. These challenges underscore the need for advanced electrochemical sensing platforms that combine high selectivity, stability, biocompatibility, and operational simplicity for real-time monitoring of ACh in complex biological environments. Potentiometric detection of acetylcholine offers unique advantages for neurochemical monitoring, particularly due to its non-destructive, real-time capabilities and compatibility with in vivo environments. Unlike enzymatic methods, potentiometric sensors operate under zero-current conditions, reducing tissue perturbation and energy consumption. This technique is especially valuable for continuous or temporally resolved measurement of ACh levels in CSF or brain homogenates. While several ionophores have been developed to enhance the selectivity of lipophilic potentiometric sensors, these modifications have only led to incremental improvements. The major barrier remains the sensor's ability to selectively detect ACh at nanomolar concentrations in the presence of physiologically abundant interfering ions. Addressing this selectivity issue is pivotal for advancing potentiometric technologies for ACh sensing in neurological applications. Fluorous-phase potentiometric sensors offer a transformative approach to chemical sensing, leveraging the unique properties of highly fluorinated materials that are simultaneously hydrophobic, lipophobic, and bio-orthogonal. These membranes exhibit exceptional ion selectivity—up to seven orders of magnitude greater than conventional lipophilic membranes—due to the strong affinity between the fluorous matrix and fluorophilic ionic sites. Fluorocarbons also provide superior biocompatibility and resistance to biofouling, making them ideal for in vivo applications. Historically, the large form factor and high sample volume requirements (100–200 mL) limited their use to environmental monitoring. However, this study introduces a miniaturized, solid-contact fluorous-phase sensor platform compatible with physiological conditions and microvolumes. By integrating fluorous membranes with laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes, the researchers demonstrate a compact, flexible sensor capable of highly selective ACh detection with significant improvements in both sensitivity and selectivity. This study reports the development of a flexible, solid-contact fluorous-phase potentiometric sensor for ACh, integrating a superhydrophobic laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrode fabricated under argon to enhance membrane adherence and prevent water-layer formation. 1 The sensor employs a fluorophilic ion-exchanger embedded in a fluorous polymer matrix supported on porous Teflon film. This architecture enables a lower detection limit of 0.38 μM in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and enhanced selectivity for ACh over Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and choline (Ch⁺) by more than two orders of magnitude compared to traditional sensors. 1 The LIG electrode exhibits high reproducibility, flexibility, and stability, maintaining performance through multiple bending cycles and showing minimal drift. In brain homogenate, the sensor responded with Nernstian slopes and demonstrated superior performance over conventional ionophore-based systems, confirming its promise for real-time, in vivo neurochemical monitoring. ACS Materials Lett. 2024, 6, 4158−4167 Figure 1

  PublisherDOI

• Safer breastfeeding with a wearable sensor for monitoring maternal acetaminophen transfer through breast milk

  Device · 2025-05-07 · 12 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Benchtop Fabrication and Integration of Laser‐Induced Graphene Strain Gauges and Stimulation Electrodes in Muscle on a Chip Devices

  Advanced Functional Materials · 2025-02-24 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Muscle on a Chip devices are valuable research tools for interrogating the structure and physiology of engineered heart, skeletal, or smooth muscle tissue constructs from the molecular to the multi‐cellular level. However, many existing devices rely on functional assays with limited throughput, such as optical microscopy, to measure contractility. Although electrical components have been integrated to automate recordings in advanced devices, their fabrication typically requires specialized equipment found in cleanroom facilities. In this work, miniature strain gauges are engineered to record the contractions of engineered skeletal muscle bundles using only benchtop fabrication equipment. A commercial CO 2 laser is employed to generate patterns of laser‐induced graphene (LIG) on polyimide (PI) films. LIG is then transferred from PI to thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films to make conductive and intrinsically flexible and stretchable layers that demonstrate long‐term stability under repeated cycles of stretch. Engineered skeletal muscle bundles are anchored to LIG‐PDMS strain gauges and their contraction is sensed in response to electrical stimulation, which is delivered by LIG‐PI stimulation electrodes also integrated into the device. Collectively, these results demonstrate that LIG is an attractive material for rapidly and inexpensively integrating electrical components for in situ strain sensing and electrical stimulation in Muscle on a Chip devices.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mom and Baby Wellness with a Smart Lactation Pad: A Wearable Sensor‐Embedded Lactation Pad for on‐Body Quantification of Glucose in Breast Milk

  Advanced Functional Materials · 2025-02-16 · 17 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Wearable sensors are transforming healthcare by facilitating rapid, non-invasive, on-body biochemical analysis in biofluids such as sweat, tears, saliva, and blood, providing real-time insights into health conditions. Despite extensive academic and industrial efforts in developing wearable devices, very few are tailored to meet women's health needs. None are specifically designed for measurements in human breast milk. Beyond being the optimal source of infant nutrition, milk serves as a rich biofluid containing potential biomarkers reflecting a mother's health as well. Analyzing the composition of milk offers valuable information for the health of the infant, and the mother. This work pioneers a wearable sensor embedded in a lactation pad for on-body sampling of breast milk and continuous analysis of glucose levels in breast milk. Lactation pads are worn by most lactating individuals to absorb milk leakage during the day, and keep the cloth dry. In this work, by integrating microfluidic channels and electrochemical sensors in the lactation pad, milk sampling and analysis becomes part of an existing daily routine for the mother, posing no additional burden for milk sampling and analysis. The electrochemical sensors are developed using laser-induced carbonization of polyimide thin films, allowing for development of flexible, low-cost, and high-surface area electrodes. Glucose sensing is done via an enzymatic membrane composed of glucose oxidase, glutaraldehyde, bovine serum albumin, and Nafion to achieve enhanced enzyme protection and extended biosensor shelf life and operation in milk. Notably, the wearable device demonstrates high accuracy (96.8 to 104.1%) in measurement of glucose in whole undiluted human milk, collected 1st, 6th, and 12th months postpartum. This innovative smart lactation pad empowers mothers to track their babies' glucose intake and potentially identify early signs of health concerns.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Device for Electrochemical Caffeine Analysis in Fluids (DECAF): A Stir‐Bar‐Embedded Sensor for Real‐Time Caffeine Analysis in Commercial and Homemade Beverages

  Small · 2025-09-27

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Caffeine (CAF) is the most widely consumed psychoactive compound worldwide; however, accurate labeling of its concentration in commercial beverages remains unregulated. To address this gap and minimize the risks of unintentional overconsumption, a portable electrochemical sensor-DECAF (Device for Electrochemical Caffeine Analysis in Fluids)-is developed for real-time quantification of caffeine in both commercial and homemade beverages. The sensor incorporates Nafion-modified laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes and a phosphate-buffered glass fiber (PBS-GF) layer, facilitating rapid absorption and buffering of liquid samples to ensure stable electrochemical response. Designed in the form of a stir bar, the device operates using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and achieves a detection limit of 0.06 mM, with a linear detection range from 0.5 to 5.0 mM. The system demonstrates high selectivity under varying pH and temperature conditions. DECAF requires only 200 µL of sample and delivers results within 5 min, interfacing wirelessly with a smartphone for real-time data visualization and storage. This compact, low-cost, and user-friendly platform enables on-site caffeine monitoring and holds potential for extension to biofluid analysis and detection of other target analytes, offering a scalable solution for personal health tracking and dietary management.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Harnessing Microneedles for Delivery and Preservation of Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

  ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering · 2025-06-27 · 3 citations

  article

  Natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NK-EVs) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of their parent cells. EVs have been commonly delivered via intravenous (IV) administration, which can be invasive and is not ideal for chronic treatment. Another limitation of nanotherapy is its storage requirements, as EVs are commonly stored at -80 °C to preserve EV cargo and stability. In order to address these limitations, we explored dissolvable microneedles (MNs) as a promising alternative method for the administration of EVs. MNs have been used to deliver drugs, vaccines, and biomolecules, offering a convenient, noninvasive route of administration while preserving the therapeutic efficacy of EVs for extended periods, even at room temperature. Thus, we hypothesize that MN has the potential to sustain NK-EV stability and successfully deliver NK-EVs with minimal invasion. To test our hypothesis, we first developed an optimal MN formulation composed of hyaluronic acid and trehalose, both protein-protective materials that are biocompatible and biodegradable. After preparing MNs, we evaluated their stiffness, EV release profile, and ability to puncture pig skin. Additionally, the long-term storage stability of the EVs in MNs in inflammatory models in vitro and in vivo was evaluated. The MN successfully maintained EV efficacy even after storage after six months at room temperature, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by about 70% in inflamed human fibroblast cells relative to nontreated groups. Furthermore, EV-loaded MN treatment reduced both pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα) and psoriasis markers (Ki67 and IL-17) expression in a psoriasis model of chronic inflammation by about 40% compared to nontreated groups. Herein, our MN demonstrates the potential for easy-to-administer NK-EV therapies with long-term storage capabilities that preserve the NK-EV's anti-inflammatory properties.

  PublisherDOI

• A Point-of-Care Device for Theophylline Quantification in Human Milk Using Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes

  ACS Applied Nano Materials · 2025-05-27 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Theophylline is commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has a narrow therapeutic range (55–110 μM in blood). If levels are too low, the drug is less effective. If too high, it can cause serious side effects like nausea, seizures, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, fainting, or even heart attack. Theophylline has a high transfer ratio (70%) from blood to breast milk, which can cause infant health risks. Monitoring theophylline levels in breast milk can help estimate the mother’s blood levels and improve breastfeeding safety. However, no point-of-care (PoC) devices are available to measure theophylline at home. To address this, we developed an electrochemical PoC sensor that measures theophylline in breast milk without any sample preparation. The sensor uses laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes with no surface modification and is covered by an absorptive glass fiber layer. The device demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.03 μA/μM and a detection limit of 6.5 μM both suitable for therapeutic monitoring in milk. The device is selective against natural changes in milk at different stages of lactation and against other drugs that may also appear in breast milk. The device provided accurate measurements in spiked human milk samples collected at the first, sixth, and 12th months postpartum, with recovery values ranging between 99.2% and 111.0%. This tool adds to the advancement in maternal and infant healthcare and allows mothers on theophylline to manage their dose and protect their newborns while breastfeeding safely.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• HORNET Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording and Stimulation Systems (CARSS)

  NIH · $8.0M · 2022–2025

• Building a two-way communication system: Bio-orthogonal superhydrophobic nanoparticles for controlled stimulation and real-time sensing of neurotransmitters

  NIH · $2.3M · 2022–2027

Frequent coauthors

• Farbod Amirghasemi

  University of Southern California

  19 shared

• Philippe Bühlmann

  University of Minnesota

  16 shared

• Mohamed K. Abd El‐Rahman

  Harvard University

  14 shared

• George M. Whitesides

  10 shared

• Shervanthi Homer‐Vanniasinkam

  University College London

  9 shared

• Abdulrahman Al‐Shami

  University of Southern California

  9 shared

• Edward K. W. Tan

  Universiti Sains Malaysia

  8 shared

• Alar Ainla

  International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory

  8 shared

Awards & honors

• NIH Director's New Innovator Award (DP2)
• 3M Nontenured Faculty Award
• Research Award from Powell Foundation
• Zumberge Diversity and Inclusion Research Award
• Grand Prize of the Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition…