FAYETTEVILLE -- A University of Arkansas researcher has received a $500,000 federal grant to further his studies on heart valve disease.
Kartik Balachandran, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, received a Faculty Early Career Development Program award from the National Science Foundation, the university announced Thursday.
Along with helping his research, the award will help pay for a week-long summer camp for high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. The camp is aimed at boosting interest in science and engineering, according to UA.
Balachandran studies mechanical forces and how the shape of cells influence biological processes and the progression of diseases. In his heart valve research, he will focus on a specific process known as endothelial-mesenchymal transformation to develop strategies for fighting heart valve disease.
NW News on 02/27/2015