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Ambika Goel Bajpayee
Assistant Professor
Department of Bioengineering
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
ISEC Room 216, Boston, MA 02115
Ph: 617-373-7018; Email [email protected]
EDUCATION
Jan 2015
June 2007
June 2006
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Major in Biomechanics, Minor in Operations & Management
Thesis title: Charge based transport and drug delivery into cartilage for localized treatment of
degenerative joint diseases. Advisor: Prof. Alan Grodzinsky
MS in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Thesis title: Understanding and developing capabilities for large area and continuous micro
contact printing. Advisor: Prof. David Hardt
BE in Manufacturing Processes & Automation, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Thesis title: Design and development of automated soldering system for stringing of silicon
wafers for solar cell manufacturing
ACADEMIC & INDUSTRIAL POSITIONS
Jan 2017 - Present
Oct 2015 - Aug 2016
Feb 2015 - Sep 2015
Sep 2010 - Jan 2015
Nov 2008 - Aug 2010
Oct 2007 - Oct 2008
June 2007 - Sep 2007
Sep 2006 - June 2007
Assistant Professor
Postdoctoral Associate
Advisor: Prof. Robert Langer
Postdoctoral Associate
Advisor: Prof. Alan Grodzinsky
Graduate Student Researcher
Design Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Intern Engineer
Graduate Student Researcher
Northeastern University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT & BIDMC, Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keystone Dental Inc.
Accellent Corporation
Nanoterra Inc.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
AWARDS
2017
2016
2014
2014
2013
2013
2013
2011-2012
2011
2010-2011
2006
2006
2005
2002-2006
2001
2000
Department of Defense Discovery Award
MIT Postdoc Travel Grant Award
MIT Global Fellow Travel Award (Joint program between MIT and Imperial College, London)
MIT Deshpande Center Innovation Award ($200k)
Meredith Kamm Memorial Award
(For outstanding performance in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program at MIT)
MIT Deshpande Center Ignition Award ($50k)
MIT Graduate Women of Excellence Award
Legatum Foundation Fellowship ($70k)
Margaret McNamara Memorial (World Bank) Fellowship ($12k)
Singapore University of Technology and Design Research Fellowship
Best Senior Design Project at University of Delhi, India
Best Paper Presentation at the University of Delhi, India
Best Paper Presentation at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
University of Delhi Merit Scholarship (Full tuition waiver)
Delhi Public School Gold Medal (for 7 consecutive years of academic excellence)
National Talent Search Examination Scholarship, Govt. of India
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Northeastern University
Assistant Professor (Jan 2017- Present)
Collaborators: Sunny Zhou (NU), Sandra Shefelbine (NU), Paul Champion (NU), Alan Grodzinsky (MIT),
Ryan Porter (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School)
Rational design of affinity based drug carriers: This project focuses on determining the rules of combination of
size, electric charge, hydrophobicity, and other specific binding interactions to design polypeptide based carriers
for targeting connective tissues. We use both experiments and theoretical transport models to rationally design
nano-carriers for delivery of wide range of biological entities including small molecules, protein growth factors,
antibodies and gene materials that can penetrate through the dense tissue matrix barriers and reach their sites.
Targeted sustained release formulations for treatment of osteoarthritis: Local drug delivery into cartilage is
a challenge due to its dense matrix of negatively charged aggrecans and collagen network, which hinders entry
of most solutes. The main goals of this project are to (1) design co-targeting techniques to deliver drugs to sites
both inside cartilage (disease modification) as well as to synovium (to suppress pain-inflammation) (2) enzymatic
modification of protein drugs for their conjugation/encapsulation with carriers and (3) development of in-vitro
and in-vivo models to evaluate biological efficacy.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Postdoctoral Associate (Oct 2015-Aug 2016), Advisor Prof. Robert Langer
 Designed and developed gastro retentive drug delivery device for one-pill-a-month contraception through
sustained, controlled drug release rate of Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol.
 Work included combining knowledge of mechanical design, materials, drug delivery and biology to
develop an oral capsule that can retain inside the gut, release the drug at a desired rate and then pass
safely after 30 days. Project sponsored by the Gates Foundation.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology & BIDMC, Harvard Medical School
Postdoctoral Associate (Feb 2015-Sep 2016), Advisor Prof. Alan Grodzinsky
Collaborators: Ryan Porter (Harvard Medical School), Paula Hammond (MIT), Katharina Ribbeck (MIT)
 Studied role of intra-cartilage delivery of dexamethasone using cationic drug carriers in suppressing
injury induced catabolic effects in rabbit model of post traumatic osteoarthritis
 Investigated transport and mechanical properties of synthetic hydrogels mimicking selective properties
of biological gels.
 Designed tissue targeting polypeptide carriers based on their charge, size and physicochemical properties
with implications for drug delivery.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Graduate Student Researcher (PhD Candidate, Sep 2010-Jan 2015), Advisor Prof. Alan Grodzinsky
Collaborators: Paula Hammond (MIT), Rohit Karnik (MIT), Chris Evans (Mayo Clinic), Ryan Porter (HMS)
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Demonstrated a new charge based delivery mechanism using cationic proteins as drug carriers that for
the first time was shown to penetrate through full thickness of cartilage resulting in enhanced uptake
and long term retention.
Experimentally characterized size and charge dependent transport of macromolecules into cartilage (invitro, rat and rabbit animal models); modeled transport of cationic proteins and their binding with
negatively charged proteoglycans inside cartilage using Donnan-Botlzmann theory
Synthesized and characterized drug conjugates and investigated their biological response in cytokine
challenged cartilage in-vitro model of post traumatic osteoarthritis
Developed path to product commercialization and fund raising strategy as part of MIT Deshpande
Center for Technological Innovation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Graduate Student Researcher (Masters Candidate, Sep 2006-Aug 2007), Advisor Prof. David Hardt
 Developed new process and produced a prototype for large area, continuous micro contact printing;
demonstrated printing of feature sizes of 10 µm at throughput rates 25 times the industry standard.
 Work involved micro-fabrication, hands on experiments, computational image processing and
statistical data analysis
University of Delhi
Undergraduate Research Assistant (June 2002-May 2006)
 Design and fabrication of an automated soldering system for large scale stringing of silicon wafers for
solar panel manufacturing for Central Electronics Ltd. (Govt. of India); awarded best project in the
graduating class
 Design, development, and feed rate optimization of rotary disc and hook feeders for assembly line
automation
INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
Keystone Dental Inc.
Mechanical Design & Regulatory Affairs Engineer (Nov 2008-Aug 2010)
 Enabled lab to market translation of new 3D-CT scan technology to reconstruct custom dental implants
 Developed regulatory strategy for new product launch in Europe and US; responsibilities included
development and setup of quality systems and processes for validations, audit, statistical analysis and
compliance.
Accellent Corporation
Leadership Program-Rotational Engineer (Endoscopy, Orthopedic and Design Centers, Oct 2007-Oct 2008)
 Developed a novel PTA balloon catheter for Covidien (now in market) with improved pushability and
tracking, and reduced balloon deflation time; involved in concept development, prototyping,
DFM/DFA, FMEA, clinical builds, quality V&V and manufacturing with FDA and ISO compliance
 Implemented six sigma methodologies and statistical process control for streamlining assembly line
manufacturing resulting in overall cost savings of >$150k
 Led project to improve tool-room management; aspects involved reducing tool waste, increasing
operator accountability, improving tool accessibility, and reducing overall cost
PUBLICATIONS
1. AG Bajpayee, CR Wong, MG Bawendi, EH Frank, AJ Grodzinsky, “Avidin as a model for charge driven
transport into cartilage and drug delivery for treating early stage PTOA”, Biomaterials 2014; 35(1):53849.
2. AG Bajpayee, AM Sheu, AJ Grodzinsky, RM Porter, “Electrostatic interactions enable rapid penetration,
enhanced uptake and retention of intra-articular injected Avidin in rat knee joints”, Journal of Orthopedic
Research 2014; 32(8):1044-51.
3. AG Bajpayee, AM Sheu, AJ Grodzinsky, RM Porter, “A rabbit model demonstrates the influence of
cartilage thickness on intra-articular drug delivery and retention within cartilage”, Journal of Orthopedic
Research 2015; 33(5): 660-67.
4. AG Bajpayee, MA Quadir, PT Hammond, AJ Grodzinsky, “Charge based intra-cartilage delivery of single
dose dexamethasone using Avidin nano-carriers suppresses cytokine-induced catabolism long term”,
Osteoarthritis & Cartilage 2016; 24(1): 71-81. Editorial highlight “Drug delivery to chondrocytes” by
Dr. Chris Evans in Osteoarthritis & Cartilage, August 2016; 24(1): 1-3.
5. AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, “Cartilage targeting drug delivery: Can electrostatic interactions help?”,
Nature Reviews Rheumatology 2017, Invited perspective article. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2016.210
6. ME Welch, CC Ahrens, AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, PT Hammond, “Tunability of polypeptide
hydrogels via mechanical properties and framework network”, (ahead of print).
7. AG Bajpayee, AM Scheu, RD Vega, NH Varady, IA Yannatos, LA Brown, TJ Fitzsimons, RM Porter, AJ
Grodzinsky, “Role of intra-cartilage delivery of dexamethasone using cationic drug carriers in suppressing
injury induced catabolic effects in rabbit model of post traumatic osteoarthritis”, (In preparation)
PROCEEDINGS OF REFEREED CONFERENCES
1. AG Bajpayee, W Chen, K Ribbeck, AJ Grodzinsky, “Effects of charge, size and physicochemical
properties of polypeptides on their transport into cartilage: implications for drug delivery”, 4th Tissue
Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) World Congress, Boston, MA,
Sep 8-11, 2015
2. AG Bajpayee, AM Scheu, RD Vega, NH Varady, IA Yannatos, RM Porter, AJ Grodzinsky, “Intracartilage delivery of dexamethasone from Avidin, a cationic drug carrier, attenuates injury induced
catabolic effects in knee joints of mature rabbits in vivo”, OARSI, World Congress on Osteoarthritis,
Seattle, WA, Apr 30-May 3, 2015
3. AG Bajpayee, AM Scheu, RM Porter, AJ Grodzinsky, “Electrostatic interactions enable rapid
penetration, enhanced uptake and retention of intra-articular injected Avidin in healthy rat knee joints”,
OARSI, World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Paris, France, Apr 24-27, 2014
4. AG Bajpayee, AM Scheu, RM Porter, AJ Grodzinsky, “Avidin as a carrier for drug delivery into
cartilage: Electrostatic interactions enable rapid penetration, enhanced uptake and retention in rat knee
joints”, 60th Trans Orthopedic Research Society, New Orleans, LA, March 15-18, 2014
5. AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, “Avidin as a model for charge driven transport into cartilage: Relevance
to Osteoarthritis drug delivery”, OARSI, World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Philadelphia, PA, Apr 18-21,
2013
6. AG Bajpayee, CR Wong, MG Bawendi, AJ Grodzinsky, “Size and charge dependent transport of solutes
into cartilage relevant to particle based osteoarthritis drug delivery systems”, ASME 2013 Global
Congress on Nano Engineering for Medicine and Biology (NEMB), Boston, MA, Feb 4-6, 2013
7. AG Bajpayee, CR Wong, MG Bawendi, AJ Grodzinsky, “Size dependent transport of nanoparticles and
macromolecules into cartilage: Relevant to particle based osteoarthritis drug delivery systems”, 59th Trans
Orthopedic Research Society, San Antonio, TX, Jan 26-29, 2013
8. A Goel, PM Valencia, RN Karnik, AJ Grodzinsky, “Investigation of PLGA nanoparticle transport into
cartilage relevant to osteoarthritis drug delivery systems”, 58th Trans Orthopedic Research Society, San
Francisco, CA, Feb 3-7, 2012
PATENTS & PATENT APPLICATIONS
1. AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, CR Wong, RN Karnik, MG Bawendi, “Surface Binding of NanoparticlesBased Drug Delivery to Tissue”, US Patent # 9289506 B2, Issued March 22, 2016
2. AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, CR Wong, RN Karnik, MG Bawendi, “Surface Binding of NanoparticlesBased Drug Delivery to Tissue”, US Patent Application # 15/071709, March 16, 2016
3. AG Bajpayee, AJ Grodzinsky, “Method of treating abnormal accumulation of proteoglycans in
connective tissues”, MIT Case # 18123, disclosure filed
4. AG Bajpayee, G Traverso, RS Langer et al, “Method for sustained release of contraceptive drugs over
months with one oral pill”, MIT Case # 18925J, disclosure filed
INVITED LECTURES
1. August 2016, Intra-cartilage Delivery of Dexamethasone using Avidin as a Charge Driven Cartilage
Penetrating Nanocarrier, Gordon Research Conference, Andover, NH
2. May 2016, Cartilage as a drug depot for targeted delivery to chondrocytes, Bone Research Workshop
Series, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
3. March 2016, Charge-Driven Targeted Drug Delivery into Cartilage for Treatment of Osteoarthritis,
Northeastern University Bioengineering Seminar, Boston, MA
4. February 2016, Intra-cartilage drug delivery for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, Genzyme
Biosurgery group, Sanofi, Cambridge, MA
5. July 2015, Charge based intra-articular drug delivery into cartilage, Seminar at David H. Koch Institute
for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA
6. December 2014, Targeted Localized Intra-tissue Drug Delivery for Treating Cartilage Degeneration,
Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
7. April 2014, Preventive treatment for post-traumatic Osteoarthritis in humans and race horses, MIT
Deshpande Center IdeaStream Symposium, Cambridge, MA. Video coverage
8. April 2013, Drug delivery system for treating Osteoarthritis, MIT Deshpande Center IdeaStream
Symposium, Cambridge, MA. Video Coverage
9. March 2010, Medical Device Manufacturing, MIT Professional Seminar in Global Manufacturing
and Entrepreneurship, Cambridge, MA
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Feb 2017
2012-2014
2012-2013
2010-2012
2002-2004
Ad hoc committee on Higher Education Research Institute Survey, Northeastern University
Chair, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Association for Women (MEGAWomen), MIT
Vice President, Graduate Association of Mechanical Engineers, MIT
Organizer for MIT Global Startup Workshops – Premier workshop focused on building
entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide (Reykjavik, Iceland; Seoul, Korea and Istanbul, Turkey)
President, Fine Arts Society, University of Delhi
REVIEWER
Osteoarthritis & Cartilage
Journal of Orthopedic Research
Soft Matter
Tissue Engineering
Arthritis & Rheumatism
Biomacromolecules
Biophysical Journal
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
Arthritis Research UK Grant
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Orthopedic Research Society (ORS)
Controlled Release Society (CRS)
Nano Engineering for Medicine & Biology (ASME)
EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTION
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Spring 2016: Guest lecturer for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (ME 5665) at Northeastern University;
prepared materials and delivered lecture on dynamic mechanical analysis and visco-poroelastic modeling
of soft tissues
Spring 2017: Scientific Advisor for Business Planning for Technology Ventures (ENTR 4501) class at
Northeastern University; helping develop business plan for a biotechnology startup company.
Spring 2014: Scientific Advisor and supervisor for MIT Sloan School of Management as part of InnovationTeams class (i-teams, MIT course 15.371) to develop a plan for clinical trials and market introduction for
a drug delivery system to treat post-traumatic osteoarthritis (developed as part of my doctoral work).
BACHELORS THESES AND PROJECTS
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Campbell-Spaulding, Darryl; Maunders, Evan S; Nelson, Patricia M, “Design and development of
transport chambers with convective flow for studying solute transport in soft tissues”, Northeastern
University, January 2017 (Co-supervised with Sandra Shefelbine)
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Yannatos, Isabel A, “Investigation of changes in biomechanical properties of menisci in ACL transected
rabbit post traumatic osteoarthritis model”, Tufts University, September 2015 (Thesis co-supervised with
Alan Grodzinsky)
Varady, Nathan H. “Early changes in mechanical properties of rabbit tibial cartilage after ACL transection
followed by dexamethasone treatment”, MIT, September 2015
Fitzsimons, Tomas J. “Micro CT of rabbit tibial plateaus to assess changes in trabecular and cortical bone
and osteophyte formation following ACL injury”, Providence College, September 2015
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MASTERS THESES
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Shikhar Mehta, “Targeted sustained drug delivery to the joint synovium for pain and inflammation
relief”, Northeastern University, (in progress)