Disciplines & Institutions

Contributions in (i) Various disciplines (and their bearing on University Colleges and Programs) and (ii) Institutional developments

1. NASA: Aerospace Engineering and Medicine:

I started my professional career at NASA (Ames Research Center), after getting my PhD at Stanford University in 1964. I have played a major role in the development of biomedical engineering as a professional discipline. It was at NASA that I did some pioneering work in biomedical engineering, through my research on how weightlessness affected the physiology (through cardiovascular and orthopedic deconditioning) and health status of astronauts.

Thereafter, in 1969, I was invited to join Washington University (with joint professorial appointments in both their Colleges of Engineering and Medicine) to develop their biomedical engineering program. There, I taught among the earliest courses in biomedical engineering (BME). Thereafter from 1969 onwards, I have worked in responsible professorial and administrative positions at universities (in many countries), set up new programs and departments, and contributed substantially to institutional development.

2. Science (Physical, Biological, Cognitive, Environmental Sciences and Cosmology):

I have taught courses in Physics and Biophysics, and have publications and books in Biophysics. In fact, as founding chair of Biophysics at UAE University Medical School, I developed an entire course series in “Biophysics of Physiological and Organ Systems” in the Medical curriculum.

At Framingham State University, I have developed:

1. The Professional Science program, involving (i) courses in biochemistry, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, bioinformatics, biophysics, (ii) courses in business operations management courses, and (iii) industrial internship;

2. The Sustainable Development and Policy program

In Cognitive Science and Engineering, I have done pioneering work in:

1. meditation practices in intuitional development and stress therapy;

2. EEG biofeedback systems for stress therapy and treating epilepsy.

In Cosmology,I have developed an Integrated Theory of Cosmology, Matter and Mind. With this theory I have explained (i) how the universe (including dark energy and dark matter) come about, (ii) development of life, (iii) what constitutes life evolution, and (iv) development of higher states of consciousness.

I have published the following books:

1. Applied Physiological Mechanics,Harwood Academic Press, 1979

2. Four-volume Series on Advances in Cardiovascular Physics, Karger Publishers, 1979

3. Biomedical and Life Physics, VerlagVieweg, 1995.

3. Engineering:

I have had professorial and administrative appointments in the College of Engineering.

My basic fields are Engineering Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering (BME). Additionally, I can relate very knowledgably to all the engineering disciplines (Mechanical Engineering to Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering), because of my inter-disciplinary involvements in BME teaching and research.

At a University,we can develop a comprehensive College of Engineering, to include all the traditional departments, as well as:

1. Renewable Energy Engineering: Courses in this field are included in the Sustainable Development and Policy Program, which I set up at Framingham State University.

2. Sports Science and Engineering: This field dealswith the science of sports techniques (such as baseball pitching, tennis serves, and soccer corner kicks) along with design and manufacturing of sports equipment (such as of baseball bats and tennis rackets).

I have taught courses, guided research, and published in this field. I also published the book: Human Body Dynamics: Impact, Occupational and Athletics Aspects, Oxford University Press, 1982

4. Biomedical Engineering(BME):

I have pioneered the development of BME as a professional discipline in tertiary health care.

In BME, I have taught a wide range of BME courses, researched extensively in BME, and published several BME text books:

1. Cardiac Mechanics, I. Mirsky, D.N. Ghista, and H. Sandler, Wiley, 1974

2. Osteoarthro Mechanics, McGraw Hill, 1982.

3. Three-volume series on Orthopaedic Mechanics, with Robert Roaf, Academic Press, 1981-82.

4. Six-Volume Series on Cardiovascular Engineering: Modelling, Monitoring, Diagnosis, Prosthesis, and Cardiac Assessment, with W.J. Yang, H. Reul and W. Bleifeld, Karger Publisher, 1983, 1989, 1990.

5. Spinal Cord Injury Medical Engineering, with H. Frankel, Charles C. Thomas, 1986.

My book, Applied Biomedical Engineering Mechanics, uses a problem-based approach to quantify physiological processes, formulate diagnostic and interventional procedures, develop orthopedic surgical procedures, analyze fitness and sports games to maximize competency.

My book Biomedical Science, Engineering and Technology cohesively integrates biomedical science (disease pathways, models and treatment mechanisms), biomaterials and implants, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, physiological engineering, and hospital management science and technology. Together, these topics are providing a pathway for:

1. a technological evolution in biomedical sciences and clinical sciences,

2. incorporation of STEM into medical knowhow, procedures and devices, towards a higher order of translational medicine applied in tertiary patient care;

3. the setting up of a dual degree MD-PhD (bme) program, to be offered jointly by the College of Engineering and College of Medicine of universities;

4. application of industrial engineering and operations research methods into hospital services and administration, resulting in more cost-effective hospital management and healthcare delivery system;

5. the formation and offering of a dual-degree MD-MBA (Hospital Administration) program, jointly by the Colleges of Business Administration and Medicine of universities.

At a University, my works can form the basis of establishing an avant-garde Biomedical Engineering Institute, to comprise of:

1. BME departments in both the College of Engineering and the College of Medicine,

2. Clinical Engineering departments in the Teaching Hospitals of the College of Medicine, as well as

3. an innovative Biomedical Engineering in Medicine and Healthcare Technologies Unit of my technologies towards the setting up of:

(i) a hi-tech company, and

(ii) Clinical Engineering departments in hospitals.

5. Medicine:

I have had professorial and administrative appointments in the College of Medicine, and was involved in the setting up of a new Medical School at United Arab Emirates University.

I have worked in medical sciences (anatomy and physiology) as well as in clinical medicine (particularly in cardiology, orthopedics, respiratory medicine, diabetology and nephrology).

In the UAE College of Medicine and Health Sciences,I pioneered the development of a modern problem-based medical curriculum, incorporating biomedical physics & engineering courses. I can introduce this novel curriculum in the MD-PhD (Biomedical Engineering) program at a university.

Through biomedical engineering science analysis of anatomical structures, physiological and organ systems, medical tests and surgical procedures, I have developed new insights in:

1. Anatomy, in how anatomical structures are intrinsically optimally designed for their function;

2. Physiology, in quantifying physiological systems and developing indices for their function and dysfunction;

3. Medicine, by developing biomedical engineering formulation of medical diagnostic and assessment methods and indices (including a new concept of non-dimensional indices in medical assessment);

4. Surgery, involving analysis of surgical procedures (such as of coronary bypass surgery) and design of prosthetic devices (such as artificial heart valves).

In Biomedical engineering sciences (BMES) in physiology, medicine, and surgery, I have:

1. taught a wide range of courses, ranging from physiological engineering to orthopedic biomechanics to cardiovascular engineering;

2. developed innovative technologies in medical monitoring and assessment, and surgical procedures.

I have published these two textbooks:

1. Cardiology Science and Technology (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, 2016)

[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzOPlHbjWLYtR0ZieEFQNTNmVGM]

2. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Cardiovascular Physiology (World Scientific, 2018)

[https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/10996]

In the College of Medicine, my works can enable the setting upofa unique Center of Translational Medicine, incorporating STEM, in education, research and tertiary care.

6. Social Sciences:

I have carried out some innovative research on neo politico-economic systems (relevant to present-day needs) and sustainable development of communities. I have published papers and a pioneering book in these domains.

My recent book, Socio-economic Democracy and the World Government, deals with grassroots economic and governance systems, poverty alleviation, human rights, and template for sustainable peace. This book provides the guidelines for setting up sustainable communities with grassroots economic and civilian governance systems, and addresses the causes and solutions of the present-day economic and financial crisis.

Although published in 2004, it is verily the book of the hour, as it addresses the currently highlighted issues of governance and economy. Now, InTech Publishers have approved my proposal to launch a new journal on Governance and Economy under my editorship. This journal is designed to elicit worldwide participation and initiate a national and global movement towards more knowledgeable governance and economic stability.

Thus this book and the journal can form the basis of a new graduate program on Governance and Economyat a University, to be offered by the Departments of Political Science and Economics. The theme of this program would be on how governance policies can help to provide economic stability and sustainability.

7. Management:

I have developed the structure of a unique Master’s Degree Program in Healthcare and Hospital Engineering and Management (HCHEM), as a joint program between the College of Engineering and the College of Business Administration.

At a University, we can offer:

1. MBA program in Healthcare and Hospital Engineering and Management, and

2. a unique dual degree MD-MBA (HCHEM) within a Medical School.

8. Global Development Program:

The charter of the program is to solve ‘real-world’ problems of global communities:

• to provide dignified living, good health, and congenial environment;

• involving social and economic security;

• by applying systems dynamics approach for the development of sustainable communities;

• to transform mundane living into fulfilling living

This Global Development Graduate (GDG) program is designed to be multi-disciplinary. It will involve many disciplines, and invoke both rigour and innovation of the highest level. The living and community issues and problems vary from region to region and from country to country. But in general, the underlying theme would be to enable people here in US and around the world to have stable living conditions and facilities, community infrastructure, healthcare, and education (to themselves learn) to deal with the day-to-day problems of people in communities, make their lives fulfilling, and transform underserved communities into sustainable communities.

The GDG program would involve:

• graduate courses in social sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and management sciences, required to deal with all aspects of community living, agro-industrial development, infrastructure development, and administration;

• systems dynamics approach to analysing community functions, towards fulfilling certain objectives associated with (i) dignified living standards in all sectors of populations, (ii) social and economic security.

At a University, the Global Development program can constitute a high-impact global community-development program, which would:

• constitute globalization at the grassroots level;

• connect the communities of the world, and educate global citizens;

• develop the holistic personality of the students and participating faculty;

• and involve the university involved in global development.

9. Health Sciences:

I have provided leadership (as CAO) at Parkway College, for development of courses in Nursing, Allied Health Sciences (in pharmacy, physical therapy, radiography, and medical lab technology) and Health Care Administration.

10. Institutional Developments:

I have significant experience in Institutional Development. I have been involved in:

1. the establishment and development of the College of Medicine and Health sciences of the United Arab Emirates University, 1999-2005.

2. the remaking of the Nanyang Technological University (in Singapore), 2003-4.

3. setting up Parkway College of Health Sciences, aimed at transforming it into a leading health sciences university, 2007-9.

4. preparing the blueprint of Bhutan University of Science and Technology, for Singapore Corporation Enterprise, 2008.

5. developing new graduate programs development at Framingham State University, in (i) Healthcare Administration program, (ii) Professional Science Master’s degree program, (iii) Professional Bachelor’s degree program in Science, Technology and Management, and (iv) Master’s degree program in Sustainable Development and Policy.

I have all along played a big role in mentoring faculty colleagues:

1. in traditional engineering disciplines, to work in inter-disciplinary engineering fields of biomedical engineering, healthcare engineering & management, and sports science & engineering;

2. by giving workshops on how to teach and write research grant proposals,

I have published papers on the Role of the University in Society. In my academic roles, I have contributed regionally, while having a global outlook.

11. Biomedical and Healthcare Technologies: STEM Model of Translational Medicine

1. New concept of Non-dimensional Physiological Index (NDPI)

• This NDPI is made up of a number of parameters characterizing organ function and dysfunction or physiological system function and disorder or an anatomical structure’s property and pathology, in the format of a medical assessment test; the NDPI combines these parameters into one non-dimensional number.

• Thus, the NDPI enables the doctor to integrate all the parameters’ values from the medical test into one non-dimensional index value or number. Then, by examining a large number of patients, we can determine the statistical distribution of that particular NDPI into normal and abnormal categories. This makes it convenient for the doctor to make the medical assessment or diagnosis.

2. Some of my novel Diagnostic methods, involving NDPI formulation of generally-noninvasive medical assessment tests:

I have developed a number of noninvasive medical tests involving NDPIs, based on biomedical engineering formulations of organ function, physiological systems’ functional performance and anatomical structural constitutive property, to provide the means for reliable medical assessment and diagnosis.

These medical tests (involving NDPIs) include:

• Some conventional tests, such as (i) Treadmill test to quantify cardiac fitness, and (ii) Glucose tolerance tests to determine if a patient is at risk of becoming diabetic;

• (iii) Vector-Cardiogram (VCG) for detecting electro-cardiac diseases, (iv) Myocardial Texture analysis for determining amount of myocardial infarcted segments;

• Determination of (v) cardiac contractility, by means of a non-dimensional cardiac contractility index, and (vi) lung ventilation performance characteristics (to detect lung diseases),

• Some of our newly formulated tests, to detect (vii) arteriosclerosis, (viii) aortic pathology, (ix) mitral valve calcification, and (x) osteoporosis.

3. Some of my novel Medical Techniques, Systems and Devices:

• formula for diagnosing heart failure and prognosis of survival for heart-failure patients

• noninvasive determination of aortic pressure profile, and its application to detect cardiovascular diseases

• anterior fixator for spinal vertebral body fracture,

• technique for treating a herniated ruptured spinal disc,

• technique of coronary bypass grafting,

• technique and fixator for spiral cracks in bones,

• technique for correction of scoliosis,

• index for weaning of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients from mechanical ventilation,

• prosthetic leaflet mitral valve,

• EEG Biofeedback system for treating neurological diseases (such as epilepsy) and behavioral disorders,

• Indices for detecting kidney obstructions from tracer administration.

4. Healthcare management and Hospital Cost-effectiveness Operational management, entailing:

• Healthcare Policies, Projects and Value Chain

• Healthcare Biomedical Engineering and Yoga Science Solutions: For Preventive and Managed, Fitness and Rehabilitation Care

• Management of Hospital Bed Capacity (Minimizing Bed-Overflow Conditions in Hospital Units

• Cost-effective index for operational evaluation of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

• Methodology for Budget allocation and Cost-effective operation of a Hospital

• Cost-Effectiveness management of Healthcare Delivery Systems

5. This BMHCT Unit and STEM Model of Translational Medicine

• constitutes avant-garde BMES based medical and healthcare technologies;

• can be placed as a world-class and high revenue-generating company;

• can be effectively set up in the College of Medicine and its Teaching Hospitals, to develop and implement advanced (i) medical and patient care, and (ii) healthcare management technologies.