Bradford, UK: Dr. Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, a biomedical engineer of Indian origin from Kerala, has been awarded a 2.2 GBP million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship to develop innovative biomaterials designed to transform human healing.
At the University of Bradford, Dr. Sasikala will lead a four-year initiative to design bone implants capable of generating electricity through body movement. This technology has the potential to one day power devices like pacemakers or promote bone regeneration without relying on batteries or wires.
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Bradford’s Institute of Health and Social Care, Dr. Sasikala’s research focuses on Piezoelectroceutics — a discipline that combines piezoelectric materials with therapeutic applications. She told Bradford that the project aims to “reimagine medical treatment using intelligent materials that cooperate with the body, rather than work against it.”
She highlighted that her research “could accelerate patient recovery, improve mobility, and reduce the side effects of conventional treatments.” Beyond patient care, she noted the sustainability benefits, including replacing disposable, battery-powered implants with self-sufficient alternatives that could cut NHS expenses and reduce carbon emissions.
The UKRI fellowship, one of the country’s most competitive research awards, is expected to elevate Bradford as a global hub for Piezoelectroceutics. Dr. Sasikala will also establish a dedicated Piezoelectricity Research Cluster at the university.
Professor Anant Paradkar, Director of the Institute of Health and Social Care, told Bradford that “piezoelectric biomaterials are revolutionary — they can stimulate healing, energize implants, and engage with the body in ways previously only imagined.” He added that the fellowship “places Bradford at the cutting edge of regenerative medicine and smart therapeutics.”
Dr. Sasikala’s research team will include PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical collaborators, with partnerships spanning the University of Leeds, University of Cambridge, UC San Diego, and Summit Medical Ltd.
Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, described the fellowship as “a milestone achievement for the University and a reflection of the exceptional calibre of our researchers.” He noted that it “highlights Bradford’s dedication to pioneering work that improves lives, strengthens the NHS, and creates opportunities for women in science.”
Humble Beginnings in Kerala
Dr. Sasikala, who grew up in a small village in Kerala, shared her excitement on LinkedIn: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, one of the most prestigious research awards in the UK,” she wrote. “Coming from a middle-class background in a tiny village in Kerala, India, this recognition feels almost surreal.”
She credited her achievement to her family’s unwavering support and sacrifices. “Behind this success lies not only determination and hard work but also love, guidance, and sacrifice,” she said, dedicating the fellowship to her husband, daughter, parents, and mentors.
