Kalpana Katti, distinguished professor of civil engineering, has been selected to present the 52nd annual Faculty Lecture on Tuesday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Century Theater. Considered one of the most prestigious of NDSU's awards, the lectureship recognizes sustained professional excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement and service.
In her lecture, " Engineering the Biology: The Final Frontier,” Katti will discuss how nature forms the inspiration for developing new materials, such as creating engineered bone that is identical to human bone in form and function. By joining engineering, mechanics, materials, biology and basic science, researchers are going where they have never been before. As Katti puts it, “The final frontier is engineering the biological world.” The lecture and reception in the Plains Room are free and open to the public.
Since joining NDSU in 1997, Katti has developed advanced materials laboratories to support research in nanotechnology and tissue engineering. Katti teaches courses in biomaterials, which are used in biomedical research, and nanotechnology. With research rooted in advanced composites, nanocomposites and biomedical engineering, she envisions a future where engineering and the sciences unite for unprecedented benefits to society.
Katti earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of New Delhi, India; master’s degree in solid state physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India; and doctorate in material science and engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Her honors include the Peltier Award for Innovations in Teaching, College of Engineering Researcher of the Year, National Science Foundation CAREER Award and Federation of Societies of Coatings Technology Roon Award. Her vita includes six books or book chapters, 61 journal papers, 55 peer reviewed conference papers and 33 technical invited talks. She has served as a paper reviewer for 20 journals. Since 2000, her research grants have totaled about $4 million. She reviews scientific proposals to federal agencies in the United States, Chile, Europe and New Zealand.
“These are exciting times, as we together make new discoveries and new insights into understanding and engineering our biological world, and boldly go where no civilizations have gone before,” Katti said.
