URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Fall_2017_Melissa-McCarthy

URI graduate students Joshua Gyllinsky (left,) and Mohammadreza Abtahi (right), with Mankodiya (center).

Mankodiya has been recognized locally and internationally for his work as a scientist. In 2017 he was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award and a URI Early Career Faculty Research and Scholarship Excellence award. He was also named Future Textile Awards “Innovator of the Year” Frankfurt, Germany, and is one of the Providence Business News “40 under 40.” Since coming to the University, his research has been funded by three NSF grants, one National Institutes of Health grant, and 16 foundation or local grants. Mankodiya has been awarded close to $1.8 million that supports six Ph.D. students, three master’s students, and several undergraduate students. His lab is a multi-cultural environment where diversity is a strong force for the innovation and development in cross-disciplinary domains. In addition to his research, Mankodiya played a key role in establishing the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, a collaboration among the state, manufacturers and textile industry leaders that seeks to maximize use of the state’s manufacturing infrastructure and foster innovation and growth in Rhode Island’s textile industry. The Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network is not the only professionally-diverse team Mankodiya works with. He has initiated many interdisciplinary research teams at URI to approach problems in health care from a broader breadth of knowledge. “This diversity of perspective,” he says, “creates innovation.”

Kunal Mankodiya assistant professor of electrical, computer and biomedical engineering

The aim is to adjust the treatments on-the-go with a promise to reduce the time associated with trial-and-error.

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