Medical Engineer

JAISHANKAR K. KUTTY, Ph.D.

**** ****** *** * #***, Oakdale, MN 55128, Cell: 651-***-****, Email:

abh66s@r.postjobfree.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

. Accomplished in functional polymer synthesis & characterization and cell

& molecular biology, Clemson University

. Technical Team Leader for the tissue heart valve re-sterilization

project, St. Jude Medical

. Biomechanics & Biomaterials expert for the Transcatheter & Surgical heart

valves, St. Jude Medical

. Conceptualized & spearheaded the establishment of a multifaceted

Biomechanics Research Center, St. Jude Medical

. Provided technical expertise for tissue valve-related US-FDA, EU & Asian

Regulatory submissions, St. Jude Medical

. Contributed to the development of an acute/chronic animal model for

orthotopic TAVI implantations, St. Jude Medical

. Acquired unique design-associated skills for the creation of contemporary

bioreactor systems, Bose Corporation

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

R&D Scientist II, St. Jude Medical Inc., Cardiovascular, Science &

Technology, MN Sept, 2008 - present

> Technical Team Leader

Role: Leading a 12 member, cross-functional team aimed at realizing

Tissue Heart Valve Re-sterilization

. Managed overall project planning, timelines, budgeting & FTE

requirements for all cross-functional activities

. Successfully presented the project plan to key stakeholders &

effectively streamlined the overall project timeline

. Planned & implemented strategies to evaluate the effects of re-

sterilization on tissue anti-calcification properties

. Directed the in vitro & in vivo performance assessment of re-sterilized

tissue heart valves

> Transcatheter Valve (TAVI) & Surgical Valve Development

Role: Biomaterials & biomechanics expert contributing to TAVI & Surgical

valve product development

. Investigated the effects of crimping & re-sheathing mechanisms on heart

valve leaflet properties & function

. Collaborated with surgeons to create benchtop stenotic models for in

vitro TAVI deployment & migration testing

. Participated in analyses of valve failure modes & recommended appropriate

durability enhancement measures

. Contributed to the development of an animal model for acute/chronic TAVI

implantations (trans-apical/femoral)

. Enabled the definition & development of appropriate evaluation criteria

for functional screening of TAVI valves

> Biomechanics Research Center

Role: Established an advanced Biomechanics Lab for multi-axial, quasi-

static & fatigue testing of biomaterials

. Inspired the creation of application specific protocols for uniaxial,

biaxial, bending & rheological testing of samples

. Pioneered component level tests to evaluate the fatigue properties of

multiple transcatheter valve leaflet designs

. Innovated a non contact method for measurement of tissue thickness in

order to enhance valve tissue selection

. Implemented the use of step-stress testing in order to accelerate the

creation of tissue valve dynamic failure modes

> Regulatory Support (US & International)

Role: Technical expert for Regulatory submissions of pericardium- &

porcine cusp-based heart valves

. Assisted with multiple modules of submission to the US-FDA & EU for

tissue valves

. Explained the manufacturing & testing of surgical valves via technical

presentations to Asian Regulatory bodies

. Discussed details of the valve submission dossier with Asian Regulatory

bodies during seminars/meetings

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research & Teaching Assistant, Clemson University, Dept of Bioengineering,

SC August, 2003 to May, 2008

> Biomaterial (Polymer) Synthesis & Structure-Property Characterization

Role: Synthesized novel biomaterials with tunable mechanics & degradation

profiles for tissue regeneration

. Created Poly(ethylene glycol)- & Hyaluronic acid-based

photopolymerizable, degradable hydrogels for tissue repair

. Incorporated cell-specific proteins/peptides into degradable hydrogels to

enhance scaffold cytocompatibility

. Synthesized multi-grooved, degradable, elastomeric polyurethane fibers

for anterior cruciate ligament repair

. Optimized mechanical properties & degradation kinetics of novel polymers

for soft tissue repair & drug delivery

. Characterized the structure-property relationship of novel polymers using

1H-NMR, GPC, FTIR & DMA techniques

> Cell & Molecular Biology, In Vivo Studies & IACUC (Animal Research

Committee) Activities

Role: Investigated the effect of vibration on gene/protein expression of

cells (3D-culture) using a bioreactor

. Innovated a cost-effective method to facilitate cell proliferation & de

novo matrix synthesis in synthetic hydrogels

. Characterized human cell-seeded hydrogel constructs using Optical,

Electron & Confocal microscopy

. Built a biodynamic vocal fold simulator & demonstrated the effect of high

frequency vibration on human cell behavior

. Executed RNA & DNA isolation, real time RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE, Western

Blotting & ELISA

. Accomplished histological & immunohistochemical analyses of cell-seeded

fragile hydrogels using a novel technique

. Performed in vivo studies to assess the biocompatibility of novel

cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives

. Approved & improvised animal use research protocols through full

committee reviews as the IACUC student member

> Classroom & Laboratory Teaching

. BioE-201 (Introduction to BME, 62 students); BioE-824 (Cell & Molecular

Analysis Techniques for TE, 10 students)

. Counseled & advised undergraduate students on academic- & career-

associated questions

INTERNSHIPS & INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

> Applications Engineer Intern, Bose Corporation, ElectroForce Systems

Group, MN April to Sept, 2008

. Developed & troubleshot biodynamic stimulation systems for vascular

grafts & orthopedic implants

> Applications Engineer, Wipro GE Medical Systems, Mumbai, India

August, 2002 to July, 2003

. Performed site planning, onsite testing & implementation of repair

strategies for CT scanners

> Engineering Intern, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Medical Equipment & Systems,

India July to Dec, 2001

. Conducted field trials for a newly developed electrosurgical unit &

liaised between surgeons and R&D teams

EDUCATION

. Ph.D., Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

August, 2008

Dissertation: Engineered Micro-Environments & Vibrational Culture Systems

for Vocal Fold Tissue Engineering

. B.E., Biomedical Engineering (7th rank), D. J. Sanghvi College of

Engineering, Mumbai University, India July, 2002

SELECTED ACADEMIC HONORS

. Page Morton Hunter Bioengineering Graduate Researcher Award, Clemson

University 2008

. Best Speaker Award in Scientific Oral Communication, Dept of

Bioengineering, Clemson University 2006 & 2007

PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

. J. K. Kutty and C. K. Webb. "Vibration stimulates vocal mucosa-like

matrix expression by hydrogel-encapsulated fibroblasts." J Tissue Eng

Regen Med. 2009 Oct 19.

. J. K. Kutty and C. K. Webb. "Tissue engineering therapies for the vocal

fold lamina propria." Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2009 Sep; 15(3):249-62.

. J. K. Kutty and C. K. Webb. "Mechanomimetic hydrogels for vocal fold

lamina propria regeneration." J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2009;20(5-6):737-

56.

. E. H. Cho, J. K. Kutty, K. A. Datar, J. S. Lee, N. R. Vyavahare, and C.

K.Webb. "A novel synthetic route for the preparation of hydrolytically

degradable synthetic hydrogels." J Biomed Mater Res A. 2009 Sep

15;90(4):1073-82.

. J. K. Kutty, E. H. Cho, J. S. Lee, N. R.Vyavahare, and C. K.Webb. "The

effect of hyaluronic acid incorporation on fibroblast spreading &

proliferation within PEG-diacrylate based semi-IPNs." Biomaterials. 2007

Nov; 28(33):4928-38.

. B. P. Harris, J. K. Kutty, E. W. Fritz, C. K. Webb, K. J. L. Burg, and A.

T. Metters. "Photopatterned polymer brushes promoting cell adhesion

gradients." Langmuir 22(10):4467-71 (2006).

. J. K. Kutty and C. K. Webb. "Vibration promotes vocal fold-like matrix

expression by encapsulated fibroblasts." Hilton Head, SC (2008).

. J. K. Kutty, E. H. Cho, J. S. Lee, and C. K. Webb. "Polyethylene glycol

diacrylate / hyaluronic acid semi-IPNs support increased cell spreading

and proliferation." Society for Biomaterials, Chicago, IL (2007).

. J. S. Lee, R. Cribb, E. H. Cho, J. K. Kutty, and K. Webb. "Synthesis and

characterization of di-functional PEG-based crosslinkers for L1

immobilization." Society for Biomaterials, Chicago, IL (2007).

. C. K. Webb, P. J. Brown, K. D. Sinclair, E. H. Cho, R. Cribb, J. K.

Kutty, and J. S. Lee. "Capillary Channel Polymer Fibers as Structural

Templates for Organized Tissue Regeneration." 2007 Clemson University

Annual Conference on Opportunities and Markets for Medical Textiles and

Biomedical Polymers and Materials. Greenville, SC (2007).

. K. Jaishankar, N. R. Vyavahare, and K. Webb. "Simulation of vocal fold

stress-strain in a bioreactor with cell encapsulated 3D hydrogel

scaffolds." Regenerate World Congress on Tissue Engineering and

Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA (2006).

. J. K. Kutty, C. Reifsnider, Q. Lu, N. R. Vyavahare, and K. Webb.

"Synthesis and characterization of composite hydrogels for vocal fold

applications." Society for Biomaterials, Memphis, TN (2005).

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