Research Statement

RESEARCH INTEREST

My research interests span a wide range of experimental areas including biomaterial, material science, tissue engineering, drug delivery and nanotechnology. I am interested in both basic and applied research.

PAST RESEARCH

During my Master Degree at the Tribhuvan University, I synthesized of sr²⁺ doped ferroelectrics materials by semi wet route and investigated dielectric & electrical behavior by impedance spectroscopy. These materials are extensively use in devices fabrication. These materials also show ferroelectric and anti-ferroelectric behavior which are being used in many applications in electronic and optics.

As a doctoral student in an applied physics at the University of South Florida (USF), I learned to bridge fundamental physical concepts to practical engineering and biomedical applications. My PhD research was focused on the development of polypeptide-based biomaterials, for applications as tissue engineering scaffold, antimicrobial coatings and drug delivery vehicles which enabled me to acquire a solid background in practical and theoretical aspects of peptide-based nanostructured biomaterials synthesis and development. I also obtained valuable practical experience in the private sector as an intern at the BioLaminax, a biotechnology company founded by my doctoral advisor Dr. Don Haynie. I utilized electrospinning and multilayer self-assembly techniques to synthesize biomaterials and used several spectroscopy, electron microscopy and microscopy characterizing tools to characterize them.

I have identified specific polypeptides for use in electrospinning from aqueous solution. This work was the first known instance of polypeptide electrospinning from aqueous solution and resulted in several publications. I have ten peer-reviewed publications (five published, two under review and three ready to submit). I have given a number of invited talks and presented my research works at over 20 international, national and local conferences. My passion and dedication to research have led me to earn Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award by Florida Academy of Sciences 76th Annual Meeting in March 2012, Research Symposium Award by NanoFlorida 2010, Conference Travel Grant Award, and several Research Fellowships.

MENTORING EXPERIENCE

During my doctoral study, I received the opportunity to supervise a number of undergraduate and high school students. In spring 2009, I mentored two high school students, for their senior year Science Fair project. These students took first place in the Regional Science Fair competition in 2010, and third place in the Florida State Science Fair competition. They also presented their work at the Florida Academy of Science Meeting in March 2010. In summer 2010, I mentored NSF funded REU student. She took third place among 20 REU students at USF and presented her work in number of scientific conferences including ABRCMS Annual Meeting 2010, APS March meeting 2011. I also mentored two high school students in the 2011 Academy of Applied Science Program at USF. As a senior graduate student, I had trained and mentored new graduate and undergraduate students in the Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory at USF.

FUTURE RESEARCH PLAN

In the near future, I am interested to develop an interdisciplinary Nanobiomaterial research lab. My laboratory will seek to develop the emerging area of nano-biomaterials engineering. The laboratory will focus on the development of synthetic polypeptide based nanostructured biomaterials to develop next generation materials for regenerative medicine, drug delivery and nanotechnology. We will utilize electrospinning and molecular self-assembly techniques to synthesize biomaterials (nanofibers, nanoparticles, nanofilm etc.). The area of research is relatively new, associated with significant challenges and possibilities.

Lab will use several spectroscopy, electron microscopy, microscopy and others nano tools to characterize and analyze biomaterials. I have a number of projects to involve undergraduate students. These interdisciplinary projects will provide an opportunity to get firsthand research experience and will prepare necessary requirements for graduate study and skill for work force. I hope, students get adequate scientific training, they will learn concept of physics, engineering design and problem solving skills. Not only would this research be interesting, it would also teach students about the concept of physics, the importance of teamwork and how to interconnect different ideas in a single project. I also enjoy the challenge of developing projects that cater specially to my students’ interests.

Since my research is multidisciplinary in nature and has potential for much broader applications, I plan to seek active collaboration with new colleagues within the college and outside the college who possess similar interests or curiosity in and other exciting research avenues. I am already aware of opportunities to continue this vein of research with the biomedical applications.

SIGNIFICANCE

The significant of my proposed research can be described as follows. One, the nature of the work is highly interdisciplinary and fits for undergraduate students from diverse background. Two, students will get the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge into firsthand research experience. Three, the lab can be set up from low cost to highly expensive robust research facility. Four, nanotechnology is a widely utilized tool for nanostructured material fabrication. Five, materials under study have high potential for broad impact, given the existing widespread interest in basic science and potential applications in biomedical and nanobiotechnology such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound dressings, implant coatings, surgical sutures and so on.

COURSE DEVELOPMENT

I will develop an interdisciplinary upper-level undergraduate course that will teach at the interface of biophysics, engineering and nanotechnology. Course will include biomaterial fabrication and characterization techniques, microsystems and nanotechnology, and social & ethical Issues. This course will provide an opportunity to my student to apply principle of physics science to engineering biomaterials, use in biological system and its impact in society. Not only would such courses reinforce in the minds of my students the importance of the issues I research, but it would also afford me with the chance to create research in the classroom. In terms of scholarly output as a junior faculty member, I will publish at least one research paper per year.

RESEARCH GOAL

The overall goal of my research laboratory will be to translate what I learned from physics, chemistry and biology to new engineering approaches aimed toward the development of novel biomaterials for the medical application. More specifically, I will train undergraduate student in my laboratory to synthesize, characterize and optimize for relevant biomedical and nanotechnology applications, i.e tissue engineering scaffolds, antimicrobial coatings and drug delivery. Lab will also play significant role to strengthen the existing research in the department by incorporating my interdisciplinary research.

POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES

During my PhD study, I had been the lead graduate student researcher on multi-million dollar projects with biomaterial developments. My PhD adviser has two companies to commercialize the technology developed in the lab. I contributed extensively to the funding proposals that my advisor (the P.I.) submitted for these grants. In the future, I will actively seek external funding to develop an undergraduate research lab. I am aware of funding opportunities for undergraduate research from NSF for instruments, course development and REU programs. I will also seek local and state funding sources to facilitate projects with a local focus. Many governmental agencies have copious funding available for undergraduate focused, community-based research. Small entities such as regional non-profit organizations offer grants that may be well sized to fund independent research for an undergraduate focus research lab. That could still contribute to my overall research program.

CONCLUSION

In summary, I will be active in research and help the department to strengthen existing research and want to be visible in the profession. I will mentor undergraduate students and seek external grant. I am confidently say that my research lab will continue to embrace and adopt new knowledge in order to ensure that I am both helping to educate a new generation of students who can navigate physical science, life sciences and engineering in a transdisciplinary manner. Lab will help to move the frontiers of knowledge forward in a productive and impactual manner and effectively communicate my results across the scientific community.