Knight Campus biochemistry PhD candidate Justin Svendsen has been awarded an F31 NRSA fellowship from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for his project, "Development of Affinity-Based Delivery Systems for Angiogenic Growth Factors." The three-year $145,000 award supports a mentored research experience for promising graduate student researchers.

 

A PhD candidate in Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi’s lab who is jointly affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Institute of Molecular Biology, Svendsen is studying the development of an affinity-based biomaterial for amplifying angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. His work focuses on improving the body's natural ability to form new blood vessels, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues. Svendsen aims to develop new materials for protein delivery that mimic the body’s natural healing processes and create innovative solutions for vascular repair, with the potential to significantly impact treatments for various diseases and injuries.

 

"Training in the Hettiaratchi Lab at the Knight Campus has enabled me to bridge chemistry, biology, and bioengineering to develop new therapeutics and explore the molecular underpinnings of vascular regeneration”, said Svendsen. "I’m grateful for the collaborative environment and support from faculty and peers at the University of Oregon, which have been vital to my growth. This grant reflects the interdisciplinary training and support networks the University prioritizes."

 

The F31 fellowship will fully fund Svendsen’s research for three years, supporting his exploration of how tunable, sequential delivery of growth factors can better stimulate natural healing processes. This research has the potential to lead to more effective treatments for damaged or diseased tissues.

 

“This award is a testament to Justin’s hard work and dedication, as well as his ability to adeptly bridge the gap between fundamental biochemistry research and translational biomaterials research with exciting, interdisciplinary approaches," said Marian Hettiaratchi, Svendsen’s mentor. "He has crafted a unique thesis project that leverages the strengths of both the Knight Campus and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the University of Oregon, and we’re thrilled that his impressive accomplishments have been acknowledged with this award. It will enable him to take new directions over the course of his degree.”