The University of Texas at Arlington recently put a spotlight on one of its researchers who was selected to attend a prestigious conference earlier this year.
Justyn Jaworski, assistant professor of bioengineering, was nominated to the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science, and Technology (TAMEST) conference by Florence Haseltine, the Jenkins Garrett Professor and Presidential Distinguished Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Jaworski is a scientist and researcher who is developing innovative solutions regarding food safety, according to a report by the University of Texas at Arlington.
“He’s a young scientist trying to make a difference,” Haseltine said. “He’s hardworking and has great projects. My job is to make opportunities available to other people — and particularly young scientists.”
The conference is an opportunity for up-and-coming scientists and researchers to collaborate, learn, and develop connections that will aid their future projects. The TAMEST group has a membership of 335 individuals, including eight Nobel Laureates.
“I’m honored,” Jaworski said. “There’s a lot of great scientists and engineers on campus, and I’m thankful she chose me.”
Jaworski is currently working on a project that involves using probiotics to aid in the digestion of certain foods. This probiotic project could have implications for a range of food-borne allergies and digestive complications, such as gluten intolerance.
Previously, Jaworski worked on a project that incorporated a polymeric spraypaint that can be useful for detecting potentially harmful chemicals in food, in the air, or on surfaces when the spraypaint is exposed to certain conditions.
“In many cases, we don’t know what we are exposed to unless we can see, smell or taste it,” Jaworski said. “This sensing approach can provide a way to help determine environmental exposures because it can be sprayed onto any surface.”
TAMEST was founded in 2004. It aims to attract scientists to the state and foster researchers in multiple disciplines already residing in Texas.
“TAMEST’s unique interdisciplinary model has become an effective recruitment tool for top research and development centers across Texas,” the organization’s website reads. “Since our founding, more than 300 TAMEST members have been inducted into the National Academies or recruited to Texas.”