News Article

CBE Researcher Named Big 12 "Rising Star"

 

Special from the Ames Tribune

Mallapragada Named Big 12 “Rising Star”
AMES, Iowa—Surya Mallapragada, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at Iowa State University, has been named a "rising star" innovator by the Big 12 Conference.

The award is granted to one scientist from each of the Big 12 universities who are leading "some of the most promising technologies under development," according to the Big 12 Center for Economic Development, Innovation and Commercialization.

Mallapragada's research focuses on designing polymers for medical uses and other bioengineering applications.

Long-term goals of Mallapragada's lab include developing materials for nerve regeneration and developing biomaterials to deliver genes effectively to cancer cells.

Mallapragada said she is flattered to be ranked among the "impressive rising stars" from the other Big 12 universities.

"The Big 12 is a wonderful university system with many of the country's top schools," she said. "To be selected as the person to represent Iowa State in this conference is definitely an honor."

The award was announced at the Big 12 Innovation and Capital Formation Conference held Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.

The conference is geared toward connecting Big 12 universities, foundations, state governments and private businesses to help commercialize research.

Mallapragada was unable to attend the conference, but her credentials and science were "applauded and well received" when she was announced at the conference, said Ron Kessler, a founder of the Big 12 Center for Economic Development, Innovation and Commercialization.

"It was a high quality scholar that was presented to the Big 12 by Iowa State," he said.

Also honored during the conference was John Pappajohn, the venture capitalist behind the five John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers across Iowa. Pappajohn received one of 12 "Big 12 Heroes" awards for his work to encourage innovation at ISU.

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