As a physicist, material scientist, and biomedical engineer, Dr. Geetha Manivasagam's academic labels extend beyond the conventional STEM fields. As the Founding Director of the Center for Biomaterials, Cellular & Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT) at Vellore Institute of Technology, she has been at the forefront of research innovation, leading a dynamic group of researchers from across the country. Her team of esteemed faculty members from diverse fields, including mechanical, physics, chemistry, biotechnology, and nanomaterials, conduct groundbreaking research in tissue engineering, medical implants, and cellular and molecular theranostic techniques. Geetha's vision and leadership were instrumental in the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure, including cutting-edge tissue engineering, cellular & molecular theranostics, and bioprinting labs, that have facilitated significant contributions to the field. With 10 faculty members and 50 research scholars, the center is a hub of international collaboration and translational research, hosting several national and international scientists and students.
Geetha orchestrates research in the development of biomaterials with intrinsic smart properties, catering to diverse medical applications such as implantology, cancer therapy, drug delivery, theranostics, and more. Her center serves as a breeding ground for cutting-edge technologies, including additive manufacturing for scaffold and implant construction, microfluidics for pain-free drug delivery, small molecule-mediated cancer therapy, nanotechnology-based biosensors, and other innovative advancements. Throughout her tenure at VIT, she has established state-of-the-art biomaterials labs, spearheaded numerous biomaterial projects, and mentored several students & faculties while introducing pioneering courses bridging material science with biomedicine. With over 11,000 citations and an h-index of 37, her publications serve as valuable references for researchers worldwide, contributing to a thriving scientific community focused on knowledge sharing.