Indrajit Srivastava has been awarded a career development award from the American Heart Association.
A Texas Tech University researcher has been awarded a $231,000 Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) to pioneer advanced imaging techniques for the detection and treatment of life-threatening blood clots.
Indrajit Srivastava, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, will lead the three-year project. His research utilizes optical engineering and nanotechnology to address pulmonary embolisms, a leading cause of cardiovascular death.
The project focuses on the development of specialized second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging probes. Unlike traditional imaging, which often produces "blurry" results due to light scattering through biological tissue, the NIR-II window uses longer wavelengths to penetrate barriers with high clarity.
Srivastava compares the current limitations of medical imaging to driving through thick fog. The NIR-II technology acts as a high-resolution lens, allowing researchers to pinpoint the exact location of a blockage and monitor the efficacy of treatments in real time within mouse models.
“This award is a significant catalyst for my lab, providing the resources to push the boundaries of how we visualize and treat vascular diseases,” Srivastava said. “Our goal is to translate these engineering innovations into tools that eventually improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular emergencies.”
The AHA Career Development Award is designed to support highly promising early-career professionals in healthcare and academia. It funds innovative pilot studies that serve as a foundation for future success as research scientists.
By bridging the gap between biomedical engineering and clinical medicine, Srivastava’s work aims to provide a more sensitive platform for managing acute vascular conditions.
Srivastava said the grant will also help foster an interdisciplinary environment at Texas Tech, where his team can develop the skills necessary to solve complex clinical challenges.
More information about the AHA Career Development Award can be found at the American Heart Association’s professional website.