Jan Stegemann, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, is combining nanotechnology and tissue engineering to develop new cellular tissue that can bridge and support damaged regions of the cardiovascular system.

The research is being funded through a $200,000 grant awarded by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) James D. Watson Investigator Program. The award is one of 10 across the state designed to recognize and support outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show potential for leadership and scientific discovery in the field of biotechnology.

The money will allow Stegemann to advance a novel project aimed at creating a living heart wall patch for the treatment of congestive heart failure and congenital heart defects.

“We applaud Governor George Pataki, Senator Joseph Bruno, and NYSTAR for their dedication to strengthening biotechnology research in New York state, and for their foresight in supporting rising stars like Jan Stegemann,” President Shirley Ann Jackson said.

“Dr. Stegemann’s research will significantly advance the state-of-the-art in terms of biomaterials and medical applications of nanotechnology and it will help build Rensselaer’s fast-growing reputation as a world-class life sciences center,” said Russell Bessette, NYSTAR executive director.

The James D. Watson Investigator initiative is part of the $225 million Generating Employment through New York State Science (Gen*NY*sis) program, which was created to maximize the potential of the world-class life sciences research being conducted at New York’s public, not-for-profit, and private academic research institutions.


Originally published in Rensselaer Magazine, Fall 2004
Photo by Mark McCarty

Published October 1, 2004