Shirwaiker receives NSF CAREER award

Dr. Rohan Shirwaiker, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at North Carolina State University and associate faculty member in the UNC/NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, has received a Faculty Early Career Development award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The award, known as the NSF CAREER Award, is one of the highest honors given by NSF to young faculty in science and engineering.

NSF will provide $500,000 in funding over five years to support his project, “Ultrasound-Assisted Biofabrication Of Biomimetic Soft Tissue Constructs With Aligned Fiber Organization.” This research is supported by NSF’s Manufacturing Machines and Equipment program in the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation.

Shirwaiker’s project aims to engineer a new 3D bioprinting process utilizing ultrasound acoustic waves to create engineered tissues with fiber organization and mechanical properties that mimic the characteristics of natural tissue. In addition to their potential applications in clinical treatments, such bioprinted tissues can be used for drug screening and basic research in medicine.

The project includes an education and outreach plan for K-12 students, educators and the extended bioprinting community. Specifically, Shirwaiker’s goal is to develop pedagogical strategies and knowledge resources for bioprinting, a bio-design and manufacturing summer workshop for high school students, and collaborations with local science and engineering organizations.

Shirwaiker’s research interests include 3D biofabrication, bioprinting, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine manufacturing, and orthopedic medical product development.

Shirwaiker received a B.S. in production engineering from University of Mumbai (2005) and a M.S. (2007) and a Ph.D. (2011) in industrial engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

– heath –