Ravi Bellamkonda, Ph.D., Wallace H. Coulter Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, will receive the 2014 Clemson Award for Applied Research in recognition of "significant utilization and application of basic knowledge in science to accomplish a significant goal in the biomaterials field." Bellamkonda’s research involves an exploration of the interplay of biomaterials and the nervous system for neural interfaces, peripheral and central nerve regeneration and targeted drug delivery brain tumor therapy.

Bellamkonda, who has built a distinguished career in the health and engineering fields, will be honored this week during the opening ceremonies of the Society of Biomaterials annual meeting, April 16-19 in Denver, Colorado.

Georgia Tech has a rich history in biomaterials research, with over 25 faculty conducting research in the space. This marks the seventh time in the last eleven years that a Georgia Tech faculty member has received a national award from the Society for Biomaterials.

Bellamkonda, also a Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Scientist, currently serves as an elected Board of Director for the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and is the President of the American Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering (AIMBE). He is on the editorial board for several journals, and advises several departments and programs nationally as a member of their external advisory boards. He has won numerous awards including a EUREKA award from the National Institutes of Health and a CAREER award from National Science Foundation.

“To know Ravi is to appreciate a gentleman respectful of the personalities, potential and contributions of all, yet personally intense in his focus on benefiting society at large,” stated Art Coury, who was part of the nomination team.

Each year, the Society For Biomaterials solicits nominations for outstanding work in the Clemson Award categories. The history of these awards reflects the strong traditional ties between the Society For Biomaterials and Clemson University since 1974.