Kumar, an associate professor of chemistry, was recognized for his protein design and engineering research, particularly his work on 'decorating' proteins with Teflon-like materials that make them potentially useful for a variety of medical purposes, such as drug delivery and the design of new antibiotics.

He will be honored Sept. 24 25 at The Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT.

The 100 innovators are being recognized for their contributions to transforming the nature of technology in industries such as biotechnology, computing, energy, medicine, manufacturing, nanotechnology, telecommunications and transportation.

"We're pleased to see Krishna Kumar recognized as one of the world's top young innovators for his groundbreaking research on protein design," said Susan Ernst, dean of Tufts' School of Arts and Sciences.

Kumar is also the recipient of the 2003 DuPont Young Professor Grant one of only seven faculty in the country to receive the honor this year. The Young Professor Grants are intended to encourage highly original research and to help recipients begin their academic research career.

"Kumar's research is breaking the barriers that have prevented scientists from designing proteins for important medical and chemical applications," said Jamshed Bharucha, provost and senior vice president.

He received a National Science Foundation Career Award in 2002, and is an associate member of the Cancer Center at the TuftsNew England Medical Center. His research focuses on novel methods for the rational design and construction of artificial proteins, molecular enzymes and self-assembling biomaterials. His group is also investigating how modern-day enzymes evolved from primordial peptides
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Contact: Craig LeMoult
craig.lemoult@tufts.edu
617-627-4317
Tufts University
15-Sep-2003