Research Faculty Spotlight: Azahar Ali
September 10, 2025
Azahar Ali
Assistant Professor, Biosensor Engineering – School of Animal Sciences
Azahar Aliwas awarded the 2025 Virginia Tech By-Example Award for advancing game-changing technologies that are or hold the potential to make a significant human impact.
His work proves what’s possible when fields overlap. By combining expertise in agriculture, biology, and engineering, he and his team in the Biosensor Engineering Lab have melded these disciplines with 3-D printing technologies and apps. The results have far-reaching implications for the agricultural industry, animal health and well-being, the environment, and human health. And the potential applications for this team’s work are almost limitless.
What first sparked your interest in this field of study?
“With a background in engineering, I was motivated to apply my skills to address real-world challenges in agriculture, particularly those related to improving health and productivity in both animals and humans. The intersection of technology, animal health, and sustainability opened the door to impactful, translational solutions. My research is driven by the vision of enabling early disease detection, improving well-being, and advancing precision tools that bridge animal and human health through translational medicine.”
How did your undergraduate or early academic experiences shape your current research interests?
“After completing my B.Sc. in Physics and later a master’s in Electronics, I realized I wanted to apply my skills toward research with real impact. That turning point led me to explore how sensing and data technologies could be used to address challenges in health and agriculture, ultimately shaping the focus of my current work.”
Matin Ataei Kachouei, Ph.D. student in Biosensing, working in the Biosensor Engineering Lab.
Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you to pursue this discipline?
“One moment that inspired me was seeing how wearable glucose sensors transformed human health diagnostics. The ability to continuously and reliably monitor a critical biomarker—and the way that innovation was embraced and appreciated in medicine—showed me the true potential of real-time sensing. That experience motivated me to pursue technologies that bring the same impact to animal health, food systems, and ultimately human well-being through a One Health approach.”
What excites you most about your research today?
“What excites me most is the ability to turn complex technologies into simple, usable tools that make a real difference in health and productivity. Seeing our sensors work in the field—and knowing they can not only detect problems early but also track recovery, treatment response, and disease progression—is incredibly rewarding.”
How does your work connect with the world outside of academia?
“My work is designed to solve practical problems faced by farmers, veterinarians, and healthcare providers. Whether it’s improving disease detection in dairy cows, poultry, and swine, or developing wearable diagnostics and tools for plant disease monitoring, the goal is to create solutions that are affordable, scalable, and easy to use in real-world settings. By bridging engineering and health, my research connects directly to food security, public health, and sustainable agriculture—ensuring the impact extends well beyond academia.”
If you could go back in time and tell your younger self something about this field, what would it be?
“I would tell myself that it’s okay to take an unconventional path—and that combining fields like engineering and biology can open doors to meaningful, impactful work. Stay curious, be patient, and don’t be afraid to explore new directions. In the long run, this cross-disciplinary approach not only advances science but also creates solutions that improve animal health, human health, and the environment together.”
A biosensor in translucent housing held up to the window in the Biosensor Engineering Lab on the Virginia Tech campus.
