Sangeeta N Bhatia, Indian origin scientist wins $ 250,000 Heinz Award

Zee Media Bureau

Washington: Sangeeta Bhatia, an Indian-origin scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been named the recipient of the 2015 Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment.

Bhatia who has developed artificial human microlivers for drug testing, won a prestigious $2,50,000 Heinz award for her work in tissue engineering and disease detection.

The Heinz Awards annually recognise individuals for their extraordinary contributions to arts and humanities; environment; human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy, and employment.

“This type of recognition helps to bring science into the public eye so that everyone can appreciate the dedication and innovation that is happening in laboratories all over the country,” said Bhatia, the John J and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Ms. Bhatia’s team has pioneered the fabrication of artificial human microlivers, which are being used by many biopharmaceutical companies to test the toxicity of drug candidates.

She is also using microlivers in the lab to model malaria infection and test drugs that can eradicate malaria parasites completely. She hopes to eventually develop implantable liver tissue as a complement or substitute for whole-organ transplant.

Ms Bhatia will receive her award on May 13 at a ceremony in Pittsburgh.

(With Agency inputs)