Events

The Office of the Dean-Research and IPR Cell at SRM University-AP hosted a highly impactful 3-day Workshop on “Research Commercialisation.” The workshop was graced by industry expert Mr Rakesh Sharma, a leading figure in business restructuring and global marketing. Mr Sharma with his notable experience of 38 years at Philips, imparted valuable insights on innovation, venture development, and commercialisation.

The workshop was attended by faculty and research scholars, all keen on understanding the intricacies of research commercialisation. The inaugural ceremony of the workshop was highlighted by the felicitation of Mr Sharma by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora, along with Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean—Research; Deans of the three schools; Prof. G S Vinodkumar, Coordinator—IPR Cell & Convenor of this workshop; and other senior faculty members.

In his address, Prof. Manoj K Arora underscored the critical role of research, he urged the attendees to “think differently and change your mindset to unlock the boundless potential of your research and innovation.” He engaged with faculty and research scholars, seeking their perspectives. Prof. Ranjith Thapa, the Dean of Research, presented an overview of the varsity’s research capabilities, spotlighting its achievements in Q1 publications and patents across different departments.

Day 1– The workshop kicked off with Mr Sharma encouraging participants to voice their queries and concerns about commercialisation. Key discussion points covered included linking university research with practical applications, the transformation of patents and research into industry-ready products, understanding market needs, fundraising for research projects, and leveraging humanities and liberal arts in patent implementation. Mr Sharma engaged with each of the queries and closely explained to the students with simple and easy-to-understand examples, thereby making the session worthwhile and interesting.

Day 2—Scholars had the opportunity to present their published and granted patents. They received constructive feedback from faculty and Mr Sharma and understood how these patents could be further developed for commercialisation, thereby leading to fruitful discussions on improving and materialising these ideas.

Day 3– A significant outcome of the workshop was the proposal to establish a new centre for research commercialisation designed to offer students an in-house pathway to commercialise their patents. This initiative received widespread acclaim from all participants and sparked engaging discussions about transforming research into viable business ventures, facilitated by the session by the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy.

The workshop offered a crucial platform for students, offering both inspiration and guidance in their pursuit of entrepreneurship. The event was specifically designed for all PhD Scholars who are currently working on their research papers and looking for ways to commercialise their innovative ideas, projects, or inventions.

Through a series of expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities, students were encouraged to think critically about their project’s potential impact, market readiness, and the pathways to achieving sustainable business growth.

blood donation -1

In a commendable display of community spirit and dedication to saving lives, SRM University-AP hosted a Blood Donation Camp to honour World Blood Donor’s Day. Organised in collaboration with Guntur Medical College, the event marked a significant success and underscored the university’s steadfast commitment to societal welfare.

The camp’s inauguration was graced by Chief Guest Mr Venugopal Reddy, Collector of the Guntur Region. He was accompanied by Dr V Kiran Kumar, Chief Surgeon, and his team from the Government Blood Centre at Government General Hospital-Guntur, Dr R Premkumar, Registrar of SRM University-AP, and Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, Associate Director of Student Affairs, and other key dignitaries witnessed the inaugural ceremony.

In his opening address, Mr Venugopal Reddy stressed the crucial significance of blood donation, emphasising that “Blood is a vital component that cannot be artificially manufactured in laboratories.”

Registrar Dr Premkumar emphasised the importance of donating blood and highlighted that “donation continues to be the sole way to guarantee an ongoing supply of this life-saving elixir.” He stressed the significance of these camps in cultivating a culture of altruism and accountability within the university community.

The university enthusiastically participates in coordinating frequent blood donation drives to support the community and meet the demand for blood donations. The event also served as a platform to dispel myths surrounding blood donation, thereby encouraging broader participation. The students, faculty, and staff of SRM University-AP showed immense enthusiasm in donating blood, significantly contributing to the camp’s outstanding success.

Adding to the day’s significance, Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Dean-QAR, was honoured with the Lifesaver Award by the Indian Red Cross Society. This prestigious accolade was bestowed in recognition of his substantial contributions to blood donation and his unwavering commitment to saving lives.

The varsity’s Blood Donation Camp exemplifies the profound impact of collective effort in addressing critical healthcare needs. It highlights the university’s unwavering commitment to making a positive societal impact and reinforces the importance of regular blood donation and community service.

 

The Directorate of Alumni Relations, in collaboration with the Directorate of Corporate Relations and Career Services (CR&CS) and SEAS Engineering at SRM University-AP, is organising a one-of-a-kind alumni talk titled, “Transitioning from Academia to Industry: Embarking on a Professional Odyssey.” The interactive session by Mr Sai Krishna Rohith K, Software Engineer at Target and a former student, Class of 2021 B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering will be conducted online on April 26, 2024.

The upcoming session aims to provide insights into the various challenges that students may encounter while transitioning from their academic life to a professional career. The discussion will delve into the nuances of this significant change, including the skills that will be required to succeed in a professional setting, the expectations that employers may have of new hires, and the adjustments that students may need to make to their daily routines. By addressing these aspects, the session hopes to prepare students for a smooth and successful transition into their desired career paths.

Stay tuned to learn about the exciting nuances of professional life!!

koyelIn a significant academic achievement, the Department of Mathematics is proud to announce that Dr Koyel Chakravarty, an Assistant Professor, along with her diligent PhD Scholar, Ms Amrutha Sreekumar, has made a remarkable contribution to the field of biological mathematics. Their paper, titled “Exploring the Impact of PTH Therapy on Bone Remodeling: A Mathematical Investigation,” has been officially accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Biological Systems by World Scientific.

This paper presents a comprehensive mathematical model that investigates the effects of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) therapy on bone remodelling processes. The research provides valuable insights that could potentially lead to more effective treatments for bone-related diseases and conditions.

The university community extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Chakravarty and Ms Sreekumar for their dedication and hard work.

Abstract

The regulatory role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone, a crucial calcium reservoir, is influenced by sex steroids, notably estrogen. A mathematical model elucidates PTH-mediated bone remodeling mechanisms, examining plasma PTH effects and external dosages. Daily PTH injections, with their dual anabolic or catabolic action, offer a notable treatment for severe osteoporosis. This study predicts osteogenic responses to PTH, integrating factors like TGF-β, RANKL, and bisphosphonates in osteoblast-osteoclast signaling, alongside PTH’s effects on glands and regulatory molecules like Runx2, pCREB, and Bcl2. Using various methods, including simulations and sensitivity analysis, it aims to understand PTH therapy’s impact on bone volume, enhancing its clinical relevance.

Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms

The role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in calcium storage within bones is significant, with its regulation influenced by other hormones, notably estrogen. A mathematical model has been developed to comprehend the effects of PTH on bones, examining both endogenous levels in the blood and exogenous intake requirements. It has been observed that daily PTH injections can be beneficial in treating severe bone conditions like osteoporosis, as these injections can induce either bone formation or resorption, depending on their administration method. Additionally, the response of bones to PTH is under scrutiny in this study, considering various substances such as TGF-β, RANKL, and bisphosphonates, and their interplay in maintaining bone health. Through the utilization of different methodologies including computer simulations, efforts are being made to precisely understand how PTH injections influence bone health, thereby enhancing their efficacy in addressing bone-related ailments.

Title of the Research paper in the Citation Format

Exploring the Impact of PTH Therapy on Bone Remodeling: A Mathematical Investigation

Practical Implementation or the Social Implications Associated
Personalized Treatment Plans:
Mathematical modeling of bone remodeling can facilitate the development of personalized treatment plans for individuals with bone disorders such as osteoporosis. By considering factors like hormone levels, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle factors, healthcare providers can tailor treatment strategies to optimize bone health outcomes.
1. Drug Development:
Insights gained from mathematical models can aid in the development of new drugs for bone disorders. By simulating the effects of potential therapeutic agents on bone remodeling processes, researchers can identify promising candidates for further investigation, potentially accelerating the drug discovery process.
2. Improved Clinical Decision Making:
Healthcare professionals can use mathematical models to make more informed clinical decisions regarding the management of bone disorders. By integrating patient-specific data into predictive models, clinicians can better predict treatment outcomes and adjust therapeutic interventions accordingly.
3. Enhanced Surgical Planning:
Mathematical modeling can also be valuable in surgical planning for procedures such as bone grafting or joint replacement. By simulating the effects of surgical interventions on bone remodeling, surgeons can optimize surgical techniques to promote more effective healing and long-term outcomes for patients.
4. Public Health Interventions:
Understanding the factors influencing bone remodeling at a population level can inform public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of bone disorders. By identifying modifiable risk factors and developing targeted prevention strategies, policymakers can promote bone health and reduce the incidence of conditions like osteoporosis on a larger scale.
5. Educational Tools:
Mathematical models of bone remodeling can serve as educational tools for healthcare professionals, students, and patients. By visualizing complex biological processes in a simplified manner, these models can enhance understanding of bone physiology and the mechanisms underlying bone disorders, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Collaborators:
• Prof. D.C. Dalal, Professor, Department of Mathematics, IIT Guwahati
• Dr. L.N. Guin, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Visva-Bharati

Future research plans.
a) Incorporating Multi-Scale Modeling: Future research could focus on integrating multi-scale modeling approaches to capture the intricate interactions occurring at different levels of bone structure, from the molecular to the tissue level. By incorporating information on cellular processes, tissue mechanics, and systemic factors, these models could provide a more comprehensive understanding of bone remodeling dynamics.
b) Accounting for Heterogeneity: There is a need to develop mathematical models that account for the heterogeneity observed in bone remodeling processes across individuals and within different anatomical sites. By considering factors such as age, sex, genetics, and bone quality, researchers can create more personalized and accurate models to predict individual responses to treatment and disease progression.
c) Integration of Advanced Imaging Techniques: Advances in imaging technologies such as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide detailed insights into bone structure and function. Future research could focus on integrating data from these advanced imaging techniques into mathematical models to enhance their predictive capabilities and enable non-invasive monitoring of bone remodeling in clinical settings.
d) Exploring Therapeutic Interventions: Researchers could use mathematical modeling to explore the efficacy of novel therapeutic interventions for bone disorders, such as drug treatments, exercise regimens, and dietary interventions. By simulating the effects of these interventions on bone remodeling processes, researchers can identify optimal treatment strategies and accelerate the development of new therapies.

Link to the article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/S021833902450027X

Er Lakhwant Khalsa

The Department of Civil Engineering is thrilled to host Er. Lakhwant Singh Khalsa for its 3rd Industry Guest Lecture Series. Mr Khalsa, Project Manager at Systra India, Haryana, will deliberate on “Railway Bridges and Track Structure – Practitioner Perspectives”. His lecture will offer deep insights into Railway Track Structure and Components and Railway Bridge Elements and Bridge Types. We Invite all civil engineering students and enthusiasts to join the insightful session on April 23, 2024.

About the Speaker:

Er. Lakhwant Singh Khalsa currently working as a project manager, Systra/PMC for RVNL Vijayawada 3rd line rail project. He has 41 years of rich & extensive experience in railway steel bridge structures, civil bridge works and project management. He is a Life Member of the Institution of Permanent Way Engineers (India)-IPWE and the Indian Institution of Bridge Engineers-IIBE. He holds several prestigious certifications, such as welding inspector from the welding research institute BHEL Trichy and Level II Certification in Non-Destructing Testing for DPT, MPT & UT as per SNT TC IA2006. He is familiar with IS, IRS, EN, and BS Codes, which are relevant to steel and concrete works. Also, he has experience working in hilly terrains in the Himalayan Ranges with critical environmental conditions.

TOP