David Britt

Biological Engineering

Professor


David Britt

Contact Information

Office Location: ENGR 402K
Phone: 435-797-2158
Email: david.britt@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

Post-Doc. Membrane biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 2001
PhD, Bioengineering, University of Utah, 2000
BS, Chemistry/Materials Sci. & Eng., University of Utah, 1992
(Spanish Minor), University of Puerto Rico, 1990

Teaching Interests

Biomaterials, Interfacial Engineering, Applied research and design

Research Interests

1) Biomaterials, non-fouling coatings, and interfacial processes 2) Directing protein structure-function and self-assembly with engineered nanoparticles and molecular imprinting 3) Nanoparticle interactions with beneficial microbes and plants for agricultural applications. Paralleling these research efforts Dr. Britt is actively involved in outreach activities to engage and inspire students from all backgrounds to succeed in STEM disciplines. This research is currently funded by NSF-CBET, USDA-NIFA, and global companies in the biomedical industry.

Awards

Research Funding - NSF-CBET Award #1705874: CuO NP Bioactivity in the wheat rhizosphere: Interplay of soil chemistry, root exudation, and biofilms, 2017

National Science Foundation

Research Funding - USDA-NIFA Award #2017-67021-26603: Nanoparticles prime crop defenses for abiotic stress, 2017

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Research Funding - NSF-CBET Award #1335550: Effects of metals from flue gas on microalgae biofuels and co-products: Sustainability and scalability, 2017

National Science Foundation

Research Funding - NIFA-AES #UTA-01280: Outer membrane vesicle activity in the rhizosphere and biofortification applications, 2016

USDA-HATCH

Eldon J Gardner Teacher of the Year, 2015

USU

Beneficial wheat root-colonizing bacteria responses to abiotic stresses: Biofilm architecture and outer membrane vesicle roles in plant health. , 2021

USDA-HATCH

NSF REU Site: STEM for Plant Health, 2021

National Science Foundation

Conference Funding - 2018 Gordon Research Conference on Nanotechnology Applied to Agriculture and Food, 2017

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

College Teaching Excellence Award, 2015

COE

Research selected for cover of Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2015

J. App. Polymer Sci.

Outstanding Research Mentor, 2011

Department of Biological Engineering

Outstanding Teaching, 2009

Department of Biological Engineering

Robins Award Finalist, 2008

Utah State University

Department Teaching Excellence Award, 2007

Utah State University

Outstanding Advisor, 2007

College of Engineering

Department Teaching Excellence Award, 2007

Department of Biological Engineering

Top 25 Reviewer, 2005

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Young Investigator Award, 2005

USDA-CSREES

Outstanding Researcher, 2004

Outstanding Teacher, 2003

Outstanding Advisor, 2002

Cover of the Journal, Langmuir, 2001

Dissertation Award in Physical Sciences, 2000

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 1999

Graduate Research Fellowship, 1996

Fellowship, 1995

Fellowship, 1995

Scholar, 1994

Training Grant Fellowship, 1994


    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Britt, D.W, (2023). Nano–microbe interaction and implications for soil health and plant vigor: dialogs in the rhizosphere: Nano-enabled Sustainable and Precision Agriculture. Elsevier
  • Anderson, A.J, Britt, D.W, (2023). Nano-microbe interaction and implications for soil health and plant vigor: dialogs in the rhizosphere: Nano-enabled sustainable and precision agriculture. Elsevier
  • Peng, Y., Britt, D.W, Walsh, M.K, Doyle, T.E, (2012). Macromolecule-Imprinted Polymers: Antibody/Receptor Mimics for Protein Recognition and Catalysis: Biomedical Nanosensors. CRC Press / Pan Stanford Publishing
  • Dimpka, C.O, Britt, D.W, Anderson, A.J, (2011). CHAPTER 6 Disinfection by Nanoparticles : Nanotechnology for Environmental Decontamination. McGraw-Hill *
  • Dimkpa, C., Britt, D.W, Anderson, A.J, (2011). Disinfection by Nanoparticles: Nanotechnology for Environmental Decontamination. Mcgraw-Hill Publishing Company
  • Dimkpa, C.O, Britt, D.W, Anderson, A.J, Disinfection by Nanoparticles: Nanotechnology for Environmental Decontamination. McGraw-Hill
  • Peng, Y., Walsh, M.K, Doyle, T.E, Britt, D.W, Macromolecule imprinted polymers: antibody/receptor mimics for protein recognition and catalysis: Biomedical Nanosensors. Taylor & Francis, CRC
  • Dhruv, H., Turner, N., Britt, D.W, (2006). Nanoscale Prion Detection: Encylopedia of Agricultural, Food, and Biological Engineering.
  • Britt, D.W, (2003). Protein Interactions with Monolayers at the Air/Water Interface. Biopolymers at Interfaces, 2nd Edition
  • Hlady, V., Ho, C., Britt, D.W, (2000). Quantitative Analysis of Protein Adsorption Kinetics: Interfacial Dynamics, Surfactant Science Series. M. Dekker Inc.

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

Other

  • Britt, D.W, (2009). Nanoparticles in cosmetics/personal care products may have adverse environmental effects. American Chemical Society News Release *
  • Britt, D.W, (2008). Synthesis and Characterization of Lactose-amines with respect to Oil-in-Water Emulsion Stability. M.S. Thesis, Utah State University, 2008 *
  • Britt, D.W, (2006). Morphological and physical properties of Pseudomonas chlororaphis biofilms: Atomic force microscopy and digital pulsed force mode microscopy approaches. Dept. of Biological Irrigation and Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (2006). Protein recognition by molecular imprinting using surface plasmon resonance. Dept. of Biological Irrigation and Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (2006). Using lactose and lactose-based compounds for controlling erosion in furrow irrigation. Dept. of Biological Irrigation and Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (2005). Development of a microcantilever sensor array. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (2005). Role of Lactose in Modifying Gel Transition Temperature and Morphology of Self-Assembled Hydrogels. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Biological & Irrigation Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (2004). Development of a Biochromic Sensor for the Dtermination of Male Fertility. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Biological Irrigation and Engineering *
  • Britt, D.W, (1998). Alkyl-Silane Monolayers for Protein and Virus Adsorption Studies. University of Utah, Department of Bioengineering *

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Teaching

BENG 4880 - Biological Engineering Design II (CI), Fall 2025
BENG, BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2025
BENG 1000 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2025
PHYX 5700 - PHYX 5700, Fall 2025
BENG 2400 - Biological and Environmental Thermodynamics, Spring 2025
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2025
BENG 6850, 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2024
BENG, BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2024
BENG 1000 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2024
BENG 2400 - Biological and Environmental Thermodynamics, Spring 2024
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2024
BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2023
BENG, BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2023
BENG 2400 - Biological and Environmental Thermodynamics, Spring 2023
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2023
, Fall 2022
BENG 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2022
BENG 2400 - Biological and Environmental Thermodynamics, Spring 2022
BENG 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2021
BENG 4890 - Biological Engineering Design III, Spring 2021
BENG 4890 - Biological Engineering Design III, Fall 2019
BENG 6850, 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2019
BENG 4880 - Biological Engineering Design II, Spring 2019
, Fall 2018
BENG 4890 - Biological Engineering Design III, Fall 2018
BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2018
BENG 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement for MS Students, Fall 2018
BENG 7990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement for PhD Students, Fall 2018
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Fall 2018
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Summer 2018
BENG 4880 - Biological Engineering Design II, Spring 2018
BENG 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement for MS Students, Spring 2018
BENG 7990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement for PhD Students, Spring 2018
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2018
BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2017
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Fall 2017
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Summer 2017
BENG 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement for MS Students, Spring 2017
PHYX 5700 - Microfabrication, Spring 2017
BENG 6930 - Special Problems, Spring 2017
BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2016
BENG 5700 - Microfabrication, Spring 2016
BENG 5850, 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2015
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2015
BENG 1000 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2015
BENG 1000 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2015
BENG - Microfabrication, Spring 2015
BENG 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2014
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2014
BENG 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2014
BENG 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2014
BENG - Microfabrication, Spring 2014
BENG 5850,6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2013
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2013
BENG - Microfabrication, Spring 2013
BENG 4890 - Biological Engineering Design III, Fall 2012
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2012
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2012
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2012
BENG 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2012
BENG 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research and Engineering Design, Fall 2012
BENG - Microfabrication, Spring 2012
BENG 5850,6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2011
BENG 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2011
BENG 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research Methods, Fall 2011
BIE 5850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2010
BIE 6850 - Biomaterials Engineering, Fall 2010
BIE 2330 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, Fall 2010
BIE 1890 - Introduction to Undergraduate Research Methods, Fall 2010

Graduate Students Mentored

Ameen Sayed Ahmen, Biological Engineering, August 2023
Matthew Potter, Biological Engineering, January 2020
Matthew Potter, Biological Engineering, January 2020
Anthony Cartwright, Biological Engineering, August 2017
Anthony Cartwright, Biological Engineering, August 2017
Kaitlyn Anderson, Biological Engineering, May 2016
Kaitlyn Anderson, Biological Engineering, May 2016
David Hoyt, Biological Engineering, January 2015
Neil Etherington, Biological Engineering, January 2006
Aaron Dryden, Biological Engineering, December 2019 - December 2020
Aaron Dryden, Biological Engineering, December 2019 - December 2020
Ian Wadsworth, Biological Engineering, August 2018 - July 2020
Ian Wadsworth, Biological Engineering, August 2018 - July 2020
Matthew Potter, Biological Engineering, January 2018 - June 2020
Matthew Potter, Biological Engineering, January 2018 - June 2020
Michelle Bonebrake, Biological Engineering, May 2016 2018
Michelle Bonebrake, Biological Engineering, May 2016 2018
Shuo Chen, Biological Engineering, December 2017 - May 2018
Shuo Chen, Biological Engineering, December 2017 - May 2018
Abul Bashar Mohammad Giasuddin, Biological Engineering, August 2014 - February 2018
Abul Bashar Mohammad Giasuddin, Biological Engineering, August 2014 - February 2018
Ozkan Fidan, Biological Engineering, August 2014 - August 2016
Ozkan Fidan, Biological Engineering, August 2014 - August 2016
Yun Peng, Biological Engineering, January 2009 - May 2011
Yun Peng, Biological Engineering, January 2009 - May 2011
Priyanka Gajjar, Biological EngineeringMarch 2010
Priyanka Gajjar, Biological Engineering - March 2010
Ben Madsen, Biological Engineering, July 2005 - December 2009
Ben Madsen, Biological Engineering, July 2005 - December 2009
Harshil Dhruv, Biological Engineering, July 2005 - December 2008
Harshil Dhruv, Biological Engineering, July 2005 - December 2008
Gopinath Narasimham, January 2006 - May 2007
Xiao Liu, Biological EngineeringSeptember 2006
Xiao Liu, Biological Engineering - September 2006
Wes Hopwood, May 2006
Wes Hopwood, - May 2006
Revathi Pepalla, Biological Engineering, May 2004 - January 2006
Revathi Pepalla, Biological Engineering, May 2004 - January 2006
Mundeta Taveras, April 2005
Matthew Draper, May 2004
Matthew Draper, - May 2004