Dr. Ashish Jagtiani
Professional Profile
Dr. Ashish Jagtiani is a seasoned technologist and entrepreneur with deep expertise in micro- and nano-technologies, specializing in the development of low-cost, portable, and reliable solutions with real-world impact. He co-founded Chronus Health in 2017, where he served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), leading the development of a groundbreaking portable blood testing platform that delivers rapid, real-time diagnostics at the point of care.
Dr. Jagtiani's career is marked by a strong foundation in materials science and microfluidics, with a focus on health monitoring and diagnostics. His work has been pivotal in developing lab-on-a-chip technologies capable of providing real-time, quantitative health data—a key driver behind the creation of Chronus Health.
Areas of Expertise
Microfluidics & Sensors
- Microfluidic Coulter counters
- Impedance-based biosensors
- Electrochemical sensors
- Field-effect transistor sensors
- Lab-on-a-chip design
Healthcare Technology
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Blood testing platforms
- Portable medical devices
- Healthcare accessibility solutions
- Clinical diagnostic integration
Materials & Fabrication
- Semiconductor device integration
- Reactive ion etching (RIE)
- MEMS/NEMS fabrication
- Nanoscale manufacturing
- Microfabrication techniques
Career Highlights
Before founding Chronus Health, Dr. Jagtiani held a senior engineering role at IBM. As a Senior Materials Process Engineer with the Plasma Physics Group and Materials Research Lab (MRL), he collaborated with leading research and engineering teams to develop reactive ion etching (RIE) processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. His work contributed to advancements in nanoscale manufacturing and the integration of complex materials in semiconductor fabrication.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Jagtiani was a Research Scientist with the Exploratory Devices Team at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center in New York. In this role, he focused on the integration of semiconductor devices with micro- and nanofluidic components—an innovative approach to enabling protein detection and characterization at the molecular level.
Currently, Dr. Jagtiani is engaged in a stealth startup in the San Francisco Bay Area,
Education
Dr. Jagtiani earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2011 and his M.S. in 2007 from the University of Akron (Ohio, USA), where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Jiang Zhe. His doctoral research focused on developing microfluidic sensors and actuators, laying the groundwork for his future innovations in health technology and diagnostics.
Before his graduate studies, he completed his Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering from Mumbai University in 2003, establishing a solid foundation in engineering principles with biomedical applications.
Professional Journey
Led the development of a portable blood testing platform for point-of-care diagnostics. Directed all technical aspects of product development from concept to commercialization. Managed cross-functional engineering teams and established key technology partnerships.
Provided strategic guidance and oversight for the company's portable blood testing platform, ensuring alignment with market needs and regulatory requirements. Participated in fundraising efforts and helped secure significant venture capital investment.
Worked with the Plasma Physics Group and Materials Research Lab (MRL) to develop RIE processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. Focused on integration of complex materials in semiconductor fabrication and contributed to advancements in nanoscale manufacturing.
Focused on integration of semiconductor devices with micro and nanofluidic components for protein detection and characterization at the molecular level. Worked with the Exploratory Devices Team to bridge semiconductor manufacturing and biological sensing technologies.
Worked with the Plasma Physics Group and Materials Research Lab (MRL) to develop RIE processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. Focused on integration of complex materials in semiconductor fabrication and contributed to advancements in nanoscale manufacturing.
Developed novel microfluidic sensors and actuators under the guidance of Dr. Jiang Zhe. Dissertation focused on novel multiplexed, microfluidic multichannel Coulter counters for high throughput detection of bio-objects.
Focused on development of multichannel resistive pulse sensors for micro-particle detection. Research work laid the foundation for advanced biosensing technologies.
Built strong foundation in engineering principles with biomedical applications. Graduated with honors and developed interest in medical device technology.
Research Focus
Dr. Jagtiani's research sits at the intersection of microfluidics, semiconductor technology, and healthcare diagnostics. His work focuses on developing practical solutions with real-world impact, particularly in the areas of:
- Microfluidic Sensors - Development of novel sensors for detection and characterization of biological particles and molecules, with applications in healthcare diagnostics.
- Point-of-Care Diagnostics - Creation of portable, reliable diagnostic platforms that deliver rapid results in decentralized healthcare settings.
- Semiconductor Integration - Integration of semiconductor fabrication techniques with microfluidic systems to create next-generation sensing platforms.
- Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies - Miniaturization of laboratory processes onto integrated microfluidic chips for improved efficiency and accessibility.
His multidisciplinary approach combines principles from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, and bioengineering to create innovative solutions for complex problems.
Patents & Publications
Dr. Jagtiani has contributed significantly to the fields of microfluidics, biosensors, and semiconductor fabrication through numerous publications in prestigious journals and multiple patents. His intellectual property portfolio includes 6+ issued patents and several patent applications across multiple companies.
His research has been published in leading scientific journals including Nature Scientific Reports, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, Journal of Microelectromechanics and Microengineering, and many others. His work is widely cited in the fields of microfluidics and bioengineering.