NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2008 – Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Ph.D., P.E., a resident of Houston, Texas, and Karl F. Hasselmann professor of bioengineering at Rice University, will be honored by ASME. He is being recognized for addressing the significant health problems of articular cartilage repair through the invention of a patented technology. He will receive ASME’s Thomas A. Edison Patent Award.
The award, established in 1997, recognizes creativity of a patented device or process that has the potential of significantly enhancing some aspect of mechanical engineering. It will be presented to Dr. Athanasiou during the 2008 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, which is being held in Boston, Oct. 31 through Nov. 6.
Athanasiou has established one of the most recognized research groups in bioengineering, specializing in the cartilages of the musculoskeletal system. His pioneering and extensive work in tissue engineering has addressed the important goal of cartilage healing. This resulted in the first-ever cartilage implant used to treat focal lesions in knee injuries and is widely used all over the world. Most recently, he and his students have demonstrated the fabrication of entire sections of articular cartilage by self-assembly, without the use of any scaffolds.
Five companies have been founded on discoveries within his group and they now produce widely used medical products. These companies have a total of 13 products approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Prior to joining Rice University in 1999, Athanasiou had a joint appointment on the faculties of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the University of Texas at Austin. He served as assistant professor (1989-94) and associate professor (1994-99) of orthopaedics and engineering.
Athanasiou has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 250 conference proceedings and abstracts; and has authored 30 U.S. patent applications.
An ASME member, Athanasiou is an active participant in scientific meetings, both locally and nationally; as well as an active contributor of scientific studies to ASME journals. He was the inaugural recipient of ASME’s Van C. Mow Medal (2005).
Athanasiou is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering; and the Biomedical Engineering Society, where he is a past president and has served on the board of directors. He is a senior member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; a member of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), the American Society of Biomechanics, the Cyprus Association of Professional Engineers, the Cyprus Society of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Tissue Engineering Society and the Society for Biomaterials; and an invited affiliate member of the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons.
Among his extensive list of honors, Athanasiou’s most recent recognitions include ORS’s Marshal R. Urist Award for Excellence in Tissue Regeneration Research (2008), and Rice University’s Presidential Award for Mentoring (2006) and Hershel M. Rich Outstanding Invention Award (2006 and 2008).
Athanasiou received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, summa cum laude, at the New York Institute of Technology at Old Westbury in 1984. He attended Columbia University, New York, and earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1985; and his Ph.M and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering (bioengineering) in 1988. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas.
Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the global engineering and technology community.
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