February 2, 2010
Berkeley Bioengineering Assistant Professor Mohammad Mofrad has received a 2010 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award. CAREER awards are given to young researchers in science and engineering who have also translated their work into significant education activities.
This Career award is for Mofrad’s project, “Cellular Mechanotransduction: An Integrated Research and Education Program”, which will investigate the specific molecular events and biophysical mechanisms involved in focal adhesion mechanotransduction. cellular mechanotransduction is an essential function of the cell, describing how living cells sense and actively respond to mechanical stimuli. Extensive data exist documenting the cell’s interaction with the extracellular environment, but less is known about how force affects biological signaling and how the mechanical and biochemical pathways interact. Focal adhesions are a critical component of the cell’s interaction with its environment. The CAREER award is a very prestigious recognition for promising young researchers.
Congratulations Mohammad!