Recent ME Alumni Receives Prestigious Award

Recent ME Alumni Receives Prestigious Award



[02/10/2012] Dr. Devendra Bajaj, a recent graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Department was recently announced as the recipient of the “New Investigator Award” from the University Space Research Association. The USRA New Investigator Award is intended to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of doctoral level (Ph.D., M.D., Sc.D.) scientists who are less than four years post-terminal degree.   More details can be found at:  http://www.dsls.usra.edu/meetings/hrp2012/award/




      Dr. Bajaj received his Ph.D. degree in 2009 for his pioneering work on the crack growth resistance and mechanical behavior of human enamel within the laboratory of Professor Dwayne Arola.  After receiving his degree, Dr. Bajaj elected to join the New Jersey Medical School to pursue research focused on the effects of aging, disease, and drug treatment on musculoskeletal tissues, specifically bone and cartilage.  He has been working within Dr. J. Christopher Fritton at the New Jersey Medical School towards the development of better methods for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.  Of note, Dr. Bajaj is entering into his second year of a 2-year fellowship that he received from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) in 2010.  This is a very competitive program that is aimed at providing gifted scientists the opportunity to define and manage their own space-related biomedical research project. (http://www.nsbri.org/postdocs/Current-Fellows/)

Acknowledging the success and accomplishments of one of his graduates, Dr. Arola commented “Dr. Bajaj is a very ambitious and gifted scientist.  I couldn’t be happier that he has been recognized for his talent and is the recipient of this award!”
 

Original Story: http://me.umbc.edu/content/dr-bajaj