Dykstra completed his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in October 2008.

Peter Dykstra completed his M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in October 2008. In his thesis work, titled "An Optical MEMS Sensor for On-Chip Catechol Detection," Peter presents the successful design, fabrication and testing of an optical MEMS sensor for the detection of the toxic phenol, catechol. By using optical detection methods, the device does not suffer from many of the problems which plague conventional electrochemical based sensors. Peter is continuing his Ph.D. degree in ECE at UMD.