Sangamesh G. Kumbar, PhD
Byron H. and Mary V. Weeth Professor of Dental Research
Associate Dean of Research, UNMC College of Dentistry
Professor, Department of Growth & Development
Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD, leads the Nebraska Translational Research Center at UNMC as a principal investigator who specializes in engineering semi-synthetic polymeric micro- and nanostructures. His research is focused on tissue regeneration and drug delivery to repair complex musculoskeletal and craniofacial injuries, including those to bone, nerve, muscle and composite tissues.
The lab's federally funded projects emphasize enhancing wound healing and minimizing scarring using conductive polymer scaffolds, which are combined with electrical and chemical stimulation. Other efforts are dedicated to developing targeted, biodegradable drug delivery systems for prolonged pain management and various neuromuscular therapies. The overarching mission of the Nebraska Translational Research Center is to translate these advanced technologies into clinically relevant solutions that improve patient outcomes.
- BSc: Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, 1997.
- MSc: Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, 1999.
- PhD: Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, 2003.
- Postdoctoral Training: Research Associate, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 2004-2007.
- Biomaterials and Tissue engineering.
- Drug Delivery.
- Wound Healing, Bone, Neural, Soft Tissue and Composite Tissue Regeneration.
- Abdulmalik S, Kumbar SG. Scar-reducing ionically conductive chitosan bandage: Combining ionic and electrical stimulation for optimal wound healing. Biomaterials. 2025, 326:123668. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123668. PMID: 40907395.
- Bordett, R., Abdulmalik, S., Zennifer, A., Wijekoon, S., Srinivasan, S.S., Coskun, E., Siddegowda, Y.K., Yu, X., Kumbar, S.G.* "Synergistic effects of electrical and chemical cues with biodegradable scaffolds for large peripheral nerve defect regeneration." Bioactive Materials 2025, 49, 586-607. PMID: 40212780
- Zennifer, A., Praveen Kumar, S.K., Bagewadi, S., Unnamalai, S., Chellappan, D., Abdulmalik, S., Yu, X., Sethuraman, S., Sundaramurthi, D.*, Kumbar, S.G.* Innovative spiral nerve conduits: Addressing nutrient transport and cellular activity for critical-sized nerve defects. Bioactive Materials. 2025, 44, 544–557. PMID: 39584067
- Abdulmalik, S., Gallo, J., Nip, J., Katebifar, S., Arul, M., Lebaschi, A., Munch, L.N., Bartly, J.M., Choudhary, S., Kalajzic, I., Banasavadi-Siddegowda, Y.K., Nukavarapu, S.P., Kumbar, S.G.* Nanogber Matrix Formulations for the Delivery of Exendin-4 for Tendon Regeneration: In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment. Bioactive Materials, 2023, 25, 42-60. PMID: 36733930
- Manoukian, O.S., Rudraiah, S., Arul, M.R., Bartley, J. M., Baker, J.T., Yu, X., Kumbar, S.G.* Biopolymer-nanotube nerve guidance conduit drug delivery for peripheral nerve regeneration: In vivo structural and functional assessment. Bioactive Materials 2021, 6 (9), 2881-2893. PMID: 33718669
- Top 2% of Scientists in the World (2020-2025).
- Member Elect, The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.
- The Charles S. Neer Award in the basic science category, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.
- Research Fellowship (2000-2002), All India Council for Technical Education.
- Prof. E. S. Jayadevappa Memorial Gold Medal (for 1st Rank in M.Sc.), Karnatak University.
- National Merit Scholarship (1982-1994), Government of India.
- Editorial Board, Journal of Functional Biomaterials (2022).
- Associate Editor, Bioactive Materials (2019).
- Associate Editor, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology (2014).
- Editorial Board, Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express (2015).
- Editorial Board, Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2013).
- Editorial Board, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research (Part B) (2012).
- Editorial Board, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology (2008-2014).
- Society for Biomaterials.
- Materials Research Society.
- Orthopaedic Research Society.
- Biomedical Engineering Society.
- Controlled Release Society.
- Life Member of Society for Polymer Science.