Dr Mamoni Dash, who is working with the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar has been selected among India’s 75 achievers in the field of science and technology. The selection made by the Union Science and Technology Ministry is based on the significance of their research and its potential in shaping today’s India and its future in commemoration of India’s 75 years of Independence.
Dr Dash with postgraduate degree from NIT, Rourkela, PhD from University of Pisa, Italy and post-doctoral degree from Belgium joined the ILS as a Ramalingaswami Fellow in 2018 and as a faculty in 2021. Her research is focussed towards developing biodegradable polymers that could finally be used as carriers of drugs or templates, for tissue regeneration.
Her research group now works on developing biomaterials for the bone micro-environment. Her model of research is osteosarcoma and the loss of bone due to the tumour. One part of her research group is developing biomimetic nanosystems to deliver a relevant drug to the tumour site to stop tumour growth in a targeted manner while not harming the normal cells. The other group is looking at developing matrices that would help regenerate the lost bone.
Dr Dash’s research team utilises polymers and employs polymer chemistry to reach their goal. The key factor of her work is the multidisciplinary approach that needs to have experts from different fields in order to design a material that can be applicable in the real scenario. And she has established collaboration both within and outside the ILS.
Dr Dash has published 27 research articles in international journals of repute. She has authored 10 book chapters and edited a book on biomaterials. She is an author on four patents and has presented her works at several international and national conferences.
On Dr Dash’s achievement, ILS Director Dr Ajay Parida said, “Such recognitions will encourage young scientists to undertake scientifically-exciting and socially-relevant research programmes in future contributing to Indian’s development.”