Spring 2008 Newsletter

Outstanding Alumni: Madhavan L. Raghavan

Madhavan L. Raghavan (MSBEG, PhD '98) has been busy preparing to begin working on two new grants that will receive funding in early 2008; however, this is nothing new for this University of Iowa Associate Professor.

Since beginning his graduate bioengineering education at Pitt, he has published nearly 25 journal articles in high impact journals including the Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Journal of Neurosurgery, and the International Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. In the past 7 years, Raghavan has received 13 grants and delivered 30 presentations related to his research. He has done this in addition to teaching many classes, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Aneurysm Shapes Assessment

Raghavan has recently received a National Institutes of Health R01 award on the assessment of intracranial aneurysm shape as an indicator of rupture risk. This grant funds a five-year project aimed at better understanding cerebral aneurysms. Raghavan's PhD dissertation at Pitt was preparatory for this new award. "The goal of my dissertation work was to study abdominal aortic aneurysms and this project may be considered an extension of that work," states Raghavan.

Research Motivation

The motivation for the NIH project is to help physicians diagnose the severity of cerebral aneurysms, so that appropriate treatment strategies can be developed. Traditionally, the size of the aneurysm is considered the key risk factor for rupture. But, it is possible that the shape of these lesions is also an important risk factor -- perhaps a more important factor from a biomechanical viewpoint. In this project, the investigators will assess whether aneurysm shape is a predictive factor in growth risk. "The challenge," Raghavan says, "is that aneurysm shape is inherently qualitative, unlike size." To better capture the role of aneurysm shape, the investigators will draw upon principles in image processing, computational geometry, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics.

Other Substantial Projects

Beginning last month, Raghavan also received a National Institutes of Health grant on the endovascular grafts (EVG). In this project, Raghavan and his team will examine EVG barbs, needle-like structures designed to penetrate the aortic wall, hold the implant in place, and prevent it from failing.

Accomplishing This Goal

EVG design studies evaluating graft size and barb length will be performed in an in vitro system that simulates the hemodynamics of human endovascular repair. The overall objective is to identify the optimal combination of graft oversizing and barb length that maximizes graft attachment strength following the implant. "Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering offered me the value of a strong collaboration with clinical staff. My research office was located in the Division of Vascular Surgery, and I routinely attended meetings with clinical staff," Raghavan says.

Attributes Drive Performance

Raghavan believes there are two attributes necessary for successful research programs: an interest in asking and answering questions of importance; and secondly, when noteworthy findings emerge, the patience to persistently pursue the long and challenging process of manuscript peer-review. "Pitt Bioengineering - and in particular my dissertation advisor, Dr. David Vorp, helped me recognize and develop the skills for scholarly work that have stayed with me ever since." Raghavan says.

"Since leaving Pitt, I have had the opportunity to observe many bio/biomedical engineering programs around the nation. I feel convinced that the uniqueness of our Pitt Bioengineering program lies in its ability to foster collaborations among clinicians and engineers through physical proximity and visionary long-term relationships," states Raghavan. Something Raghavan hopes to foster during his own research career.

Return to newsletter home page.