The ECS Sensor Division election is now open and features an excellent slate of candidates. This year’s ballot includes two candidates for the volunteer position of division treasurer. Both would bring valuable experience and perspectives to the position. Their biographies and candidate statements follow.
We encourage all division members to participate in this important election. Your vote helps shape the division’s future direction and success. Voting is open through September 30.
Instructions and a link to the electronic ballot are provided at the end of this page.
The newly elected officers’ terms begin October 30, 2026.
Dongmei Dong
Dongmei Dong
Biography
Dongmei Dong is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Rowan University and a faculty member in Rowan’s PhD in Materials Science and Engineering program. Her research seeks to understand the fundamental principles of physics and materials science at the nanoscale and apply nanoscience and nanotechnology to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Prof. Dong’s interdisciplinary work integrates electrochemistry, quantitative sensor development, and energy research, with interests spanning hydrogen fuel cells, microsensor development, and pseudocapacitive electrochromic charge-storage nanomaterials and ultrathin devices.
Prof. Dong’s academic and professional journey has taken her through Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States. She earned her PhD in condensed matter physics from Beihang University and held research positions at the Université de Moncton, Purdue University, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Florida International University. She also studied at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Université de Bordeaux, Université Toulouse III–Paul Sabatier, and University of British Columbia
As a principal investigator, Dr. Dong has led projects supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Her current NSF-funded research on portable transistor sensors for rapid PFAS detection has been featured in Rowan Today, Rowan Magazine, and regional New Jersey news outlets. She contributed to the DOE Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck Consortium by developing in situ membrane-diagnostic tools and also led an NSF I-Corps project to advance microsensor technologies for fuel-cell electric vehicles. She is the inventor on several U.S. patents and continues to work toward translating laboratory sensor technologies into practical tools for energy, environmental, and public health.
Actively involved with the ECS Sensor Division since joining the Society in 2022, Prof. Dong has served as symposia lead organizer and co-organizer, chaired multiple technical sessions, and serves on the Women in Sensors (WiSeR) Committee. She received the 2024 ECS Sensor Division Early-Career Award in recognition of her contributions to sensor science and technology. She founded the first-ever ECS Rowan University Student Chapter and continues to serve as its faculty advisor, creating opportunities for students to engage with the broader electrochemical and sensor communities.
Candidacy Statement
“If we cannot measure a problem, we cannot fully understand it; if we cannot understand it, we cannot solve it.” This belief has guided my work since I was a young researcher and first became involved with the ECS Sensor Division. The division has become my professional home: a community that brings together researchers from different disciplines around a shared purpose, using sensor science to understand important problems, and develop technologies that make a meaningful difference.
The Sensor Division has played an important role in my growth as both a scientist and a community member. Receiving the 2024 Sensor Division Early Career Award was especially meaningful—not only as recognition of my research, but also as a reminder of how strongly a professional community can encourage an early-career scientist. I am now ready to give back through sustained, dependable service to the division.
I am running for treasurer because I believe that careful financial stewardship directly supports the division’s scientific mission. A treasurer’s work may not always be highly visible, but when it is done well, it makes many visible and valuable activities possible: strong symposia, student travel support, awards, outreach, and new technical initiatives. If elected, I will work responsibly and transparently with the division’s officers and ECS staff to manage our resources, strengthen fundraising and sponsorship efforts, and ensure that our funds are directed toward activities that provide clear value to our members.
I would also work to broaden participation in the Sensor Division, particularly among students, early-career researchers, and colleagues entering sensor research from physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, energy, and environmental fields. I plan to develop symposia and initiatives in emerging areas such as sensors for clean-energy systems, environmental contaminants, sustainable technologies, and next-generation health and diagnostic applications.
I am sincerely grateful for the encouragement I have received from Sensor Division members. If elected, I will bring the same persistence, care, and sense of responsibility to the position of treasurer that I bring to my research and mentoring. I would be honored to earn your vote and to serve our community as treasurer.
Milad Navaei
Milad Navaei
Biography
Dr. Milad Navaei is a Principal Research Scientist in the Quantum Systems Division (QSD) of the Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research Laboratory (CIPHER) at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). In this role, he directs the Intersection of Biology and Electronics Group, overseeing a diverse team of PhD, MS, and undergraduate researchers. His research group specializes in micro/nanofabrication techniques, chemical sensors, miniature gas chromatography systems, synthetic biology, drug delivery, and sensors for detection of microbial contamination.
Dr. Navaei received his MS (2011) and PhD (2015) from Georgia Tech. He has successfully secured and managed over $20 million in federal and state grants as the principal investigator on an IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity) project and co-PI on DoD-funded projects (ONR, DARPA, and OSD). His work has led to numerous journal publications, conference presentations, and US patents. Dr. Navaei has served as a reviewer for peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of The Electrochemical Society and Journal of Microsystems and Nanoengineering (Nature). Throughout his career, Dr. Navaei has provided mentorship to dozens of students across all academic levels—from high school through graduate studies—through initiatives including Project ENGAGES, GEM Fellowships, and the TagEd program.
Candidacy Statement
I am enthusiastic about the prospect of serving as ECS Sensor Division Treasurer. Since my initial involvement in 2015, I have been an active member of this community, contributing as a session chair, session organizer, and committee member. These experiences have provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the division’s operations and a clear vision for its future growth.
Stated simply, my vision as Treasurer is to introduce new symposia topics that significantly increase sponsorship from industry, national laboratories, and government entities, while enhancing our community through new partnerships and collaborations. My primary goal would be to broaden our research topics by inviting established leaders, emerging innovators, and student leaders from fields such as energy and biology to share their expertise and insights. Additionally, I would be committed to increasing participation in the ECS Sensor Division by fostering collaborations with other members and enhancing our partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This will promote diversity and improve the quality of our scientific activities. Finally, as part of a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designated by the Office of the Secretary of War (DOW), I would leverage my connections to attract more DoD members and presenters to our division. This will not only enrich our discussions with diverse perspectives but also strengthen our ties with key stakeholders in the defense sector.
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as the treasurer and contribute to the growth and success of the ECS Sensor Division.
Voting instructions
NOTE: To access the proxy ballot, your ECS Membership must be current, and the ECS Sensor Division must be your primary division.
Proceed to the electronic proxy ballot and follow these easy steps to cast your vote:
- Enter your ECS member number and password. (Your member number is under MY ACCOUNT/ECS ID when you log on to the ECS website.)
- After logging on, your electronic proxy ballot opens. Enter your vote for each office.
- If you have trouble logging on, contact customer service.
- You can only vote once.
Thank you for participating in this important election!