The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is pleased to announce that Dr. Todd Sulchek, Assistant Professor, has won a prestigious 2011 Faculty Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation's Biosensing Program for his proposal titled: "Understanding Multivalent Biological Bonds for Biosensing Applications."

For this project, Dr. Sulchek will be studying multivalent protein adhesion in order to improve how well biosensors can bind target molecules. He hopes to create methods to watch the binding and unbinding of multiple protein bonds in quick succession and close proximity.

As part of the CAREER Award outreach component, Dr. Sulchek will work with local high schools to match biology students with physical science students into teams, in order to emphasize the overlapping nature of the scientific and engineering disciplines. The goal is to portray science and engineering in a more exciting and interesting light. Currently, there are two high school students working in Dr. Sulchek's lab this summer, testing out a concept to rapidly measure protein adhesion. After knowledge is gained from this trial run working with students, Dr. Sulchek will organize 10-20 teams in the next year to compete in a cross-disciplinary science fair.

Upon learning about this award, Woodruff School Chair Dr. Bill Wepfer said, "Congratulations! Along with your recent NIH R21 award, this is a tremendous affirmation of your research program." Dean of Engineering, Dr. Don Giddens said, "Great news, Todd, and a hearty congratulations!!" Further hats off came from Georgia Tech's President, Dr. G.P. "Bud" Peterson, "Congratulations! Off to a great start!"

Dr, Sulchek received both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (Applied Physics) from Stanford University in 2000 and 2006, respectively. He earned his B.A. (Physics and Mathematics) at Johns Hopkins University in 1996. Dr. Sulchek started at Georgia Tech in June 2008 as an Assistant Professor. Prior to his current appointment, he was a staff scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

Currently, there are twenty-seven Woodruff School faculty members who have at one time held a CAREER Award. In addition, the Woodruff School has fifteen Ph.D. graduates who have won these awards and are on the faculty of universities other than Georgia Tech.