Two doctoral candidates at the Cullen College of Engineering have been recognized for their research work with student awards from the Pharmaceutical Discovery, Development and Manufacturing Forum (PD2M).
Sreyashi Ghosh and Dipayan Chakraborty, both students in the William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, received the awards in San Diego during the 2024 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting in late October. Ghosh is a student of Mehmet Orman, associate professor, and Chakraborty is mentored by Jeffrey D. Rimer, Abraham E. Dukler Professor.
The PD2M student awards are chosen based on an evaluation of a submitted presentation that has potential relevance to pharmaceutical discovery, development and manufacturing. Nationally, only 10 students received awards.
Chartered in 2012, the PD2M “promotes the interchange of ideas, concepts, know-how and experiences in Pharmaceutical Discovery, Development and Manufacturing with other groups within and outside of the Institute.” It is part of the AIChE, the professional organization for chemical engineers. AIChE has more than 60,000 members in more than 110 countries.
Ghosh is examining antibiotic resistance, which occurs when bacteria change and are no longer targeted by the medicine meant to kill them. She noted that it was a critical global health crisis that leads to countless hospital infections, fatalities and a significant economic strain on healthcare systems.
“Preventing the rise of antibiotic resistance is essential,” she said. “My research centers on understanding the complex mechanisms of intracellular mutagenesis that drive antibiotic resistance. Additionally, I am developing targeted strategies based on experimental insights to reduce or prevent mutagenesis, making a meaningful contribution to the fight against antibiotic resistance.”
Ghosh described receiving the award as a moment she was incredibly grateful for.
“Being recognized on such a prominent stage as the 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting made this moment even more special, as it provided a unique opportunity to connect with esteemed members of the PD2M community during the award ceremony,” she said. “I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. Orman, for his unwavering support, and to my family, who are my constant motivators and pillars of strength.”
Chakraborty's research takes a deeper look at cholesterol, one of the key components of what he called pathological diseases like heart plaque and gallstones.
“Despite its relevance to worldwide healthcare problems, few studies have examined fundamental mechanisms of cholesterol crystallization,” he said. “Mechanistic understanding would lead to innovation of drugs that would eliminate the need for surgical procedures by inhibiting the crystallization process, as current drugs affect the blood cholesterol levels not the crystallized one.”
Chakraborty was thrilled to receive recognition for his work.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award! A heartfelt thank you to PD2M and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for the support. I’m also incredibly grateful to my advisor, Dr. Rimer, for his unwavering guidance and encouragement. This recognition means so much, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the field!”
Sreyashi hopes to continue using her engineering skills to improve health outcomes.
“I am exploring opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly within the research and development sectors, where I can apply my expertise in bioengineering and my foundation in chemical engineering to develop scalable solutions that enhance human health and make a meaningful impact on society,” she said.
Chakraborty wants to use the research skills he's learned and honed from his studies in the field.
“Upon graduating, I aim to step into an R&D role in industry to expand the perspective and skills I developed through my doctoral research,” he said. “I look forward to applying my technical expertise and analytical skills to create impactful, real-world solutions and gain hands-on experience with innovative projects.”