Awarded by the Biomedical Engineering Society, the honor recognizes early career biomedical engineers with demonstrated originality and ingenuity in a published work
Bioengineering professor Marian Hettiaratchi has received the 2024 Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award from the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). Established in honor of former BMES Executive Director Rita Schaffer, the award recognizes originality and ingenuity in biomedical engineering research as demonstrated in a published work. Hettiaratchi was nominated for her study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, which explores the development of biomaterials for controlled protein delivery. This work addresses challenges in tissue regeneration, particularly in bone healing. As part of the honor, Hettiaratchi will deliver a lecture at the upcoming BMES annual meeting — Hettiaratchi will deliver her talk on "Precision protein delivery: Engineering protein-material affinity interactions for tissue repair" on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. — and publish an article in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering.
“I’m honored to receive the Rita Schaffer Award,” Hettiaratchi said. “It’s incredible to be in the company of so many talented previous recipients, whose contributions have inspired my own work in advancing therapeutic solutions."
The Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award is one of the highest honors for early-career biomedical engineers. Danielle Benoit, who nominated Hettiaratchi for the award, praised her pioneering research in biomaterials and her innovative approach to developing controlled protein delivery systems. Benoit also highlighted Hettiaratchi’s commitment to mentoring students and fostering diversity, noting that these qualities made her an exceptional choice for the award.
"We’re incredibly proud of Marian's achievements," Benoit said. "Her innovative research, combined with her commitment to mentorship and diversity, exemplifies the mission and values of the Knight Campus Department of Bioengineering."
Hettiaratchi's research focuses on designing advanced biomaterials that control the release of proteins to help the body heal after injury or disease. Her lab developed a method to fine-tune the release of therapeutic proteins from gels, improving treatments for conditions like spinal cord injuries and bone regeneration.
Her work has earned several awards, including the NSF CAREER Award, NIH R35 MIRA, the 2024 TERMIS Young Investigator Award, and the 2024 UO Early Career Award. Her interdisciplinary work has secured over $3 million in funding, reflecting its significant impact in bioengineering, molecular biology, and chemistry. In addition to her research, Hettiaratchi is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds and serving as a faculty adviser for the Community of Minorities in STEM (CMiS). Her commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment earned her the University of Oregon’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) Faculty Research Mentor Award.