HOUSTON –National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Devendra Bajaj is the winner of the 2012 USRA New Investigator Award. Bajaj received the award, which is sponsored by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), for his efforts to help protect astronaut health during long-duration spaceflight.
Bajaj, a researcher at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ-NJMS), is in his second year as part of the NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. He is studying the efficacy and biomechanical safety of bisphosphonates, a class of anti-resorptive drugs, for use during long-duration spaceflight. His research also has the potential to impact health care on Earth; in particular, treatment of osteoporosis. His mentor is Dr. J. Christopher Fritton, assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at UMDNJ-NJMS.
"NSBRI congratulates Dr. Bajaj for being recognized for his achievements by this elite organization. We are confident that he will continue to advance efforts to improve health care in space and on Earth," said NSBRI CEO and President Dr. Jeffrey P. Sutton. "We also want to recognize USRA for continuing to encourage young scientists to pursue a career in space life sciences. Dr. Bajaj and his generation are the future of human spaceflight."
USRA Division of Space Life Science Director Dr. Neal Pellis presented the award to Bajaj at the 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop held in Houston. The USRA New Investigator Award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of doctoral level scientists who are less than four years post-terminal degree. "USRA is dedicated to the recognition of young scientists at the beginning of their careers," Pellis said. "It is important that we participate in the career development of our new scientists and enhance their recognition in the science community."
Bajaj received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Bhilai Institute of Technology in India. He then earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland.
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Brad Thomas
NSBRI
713-798-7595
rbthomas@bcm.edu
Notes:
NSBRI is a NASA-funded consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and developing the medical technologies needed for long missions. NSBRI is headquartered at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, with its science, technology and education projects taking place at more than 60 institutions across the United States. In addition to protecting astronaut health, NSBRI research has benefits for health care on Earth. For more information about NSBRI, please visit www.nsbri.org. Information about the NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which solicits applicants annually, is located at www.nsbri.org/postdocs/.
Founded in 1969, USRA is an independent research corporation with competencies that span space, Earth and life sciences related disciplines, which are closely aligned with the nation’s science and national security agencies. As a non-profit corporation with 105 major research university members, USRA’s scientific and technical staff collaborates with over 400 universities annually. This depth of reach into the research community provides a unique platform for advancing science and technology. For more information about USRA, please visit www.usra.edu.