Knoxville, Tennessee: Indian-origin researcher Madhu Dhar has been named among the recipients of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's prestigious Chancellor's Innovation Fund award, recognizing promising research with strong commercialization potential.
Dhar was part of five faculty-led teams, each awarded $50,000 during the ceremony held on April 7. The annual initiative supports academic innovations that demonstrate real-world applications and market viability.
A research professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dhar co-led a project with assistant research professor Steven Newby focused on developing advanced bioinks for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
The project aims to create biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives to conventional surgical implants made from steel and titanium. The bioink is designed to be compatible with living cells and can be customized to replicate various types of human and animal tissues.
By integrating nanoparticles and leveraging 3D printing technologies, the research enables the rapid production of patient-specific implants. These implants could potentially be used to repair bones, cartilage, skin, and nerves with greater precision and improved outcomes.
The funding will support further validation of the technology through animal surgical procedures. The team plans to utilize advanced facilities, including the Medical Device Innovation Core and Dhar's laboratory at the UT Center for Precision Health, to develop and test customized implants.
Dhar, who completed her academic training at the University of Pune, currently leads the Tissue Regeneration Laboratory. Her research focuses on cell-based therapies, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling. She also plays an active role in mentoring graduate students and teaching subjects such as cell biology and genomics.
Speaking on the initiative, Deb Crawford emphasized the importance of translating research into practical solutions, noting that such programs help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and societal impact.
Other awardees included projects on net-zero housing systems, RNA-based spray pesticides, biomanufacturing through fermentation, and cost-effective clean energy technologies.
