Meet Bhuvana Chandrashekar, Convergence Grant Recipient

Bhuvana Chandrashekar is a third year PhD student who works in the Biomaterials for Osseointegration and Novel Engineering (BONE) Lab at The University of Texas at Dallas where she is researching the impact of luting agents used in dental implants restorations on osseointegration and peri-implant tissue. She decided to pursue this research after seeing that there are many areas of inquiry remaining. “Although dental implants are highly successful, there is a lot to be explored, and a fundamental understanding of many mechanisms could lead to better treatment, methods and prognosis,” Chandrashekar said. “This study is also helping me learn so many new techniques and skills to enhance my knowledge in the field.”

The global pandemic has caused difficulties for many researchers as they seek funding for their research.

“This grant will be one of the most important milestones of my PhD life. The global pandemic has been hard on so many researchers, and obtaining funding for any research other than virology can be considered challenging for now,” Chandrashekar said. “After several applications and disappointments, this grant has highly motivated me and has proven to me that funding opportunities will always come to those who need them and will work hard. This grant money will be very useful for my research work, and I will make the best out of it.”

Chandrashekar’s biggest inspiration during her journey has been her lab. “Dr. Danieli Rodrigues is a great mentor, and I feel extremely lucky to be a part of her lab,” she said. “Her continuous support has kept me highly motivated and focused. “Additionally, my lab members are highly productive and enthusiastic about research, and that in turn keeps me excited. There is something new to learn every day from them so I can make my research progress!”

“I am extremely thankful to the Department of Bioengineering for giving me this opportunity to me and other graduate students,” Chandrashekar said, “This grant just doubled my confidence and has highly inspired me to continue research. These funds are a ray of hope for me and were offered to me right when I needed them the most.”

Congratulations! We are proud of you, and we can’t wait to see where your research takes you.