Vivek Kumar, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston

“Engineering better medicines: Molecular simulations to translation in vivo models”

Description:

My career and interests have focused on creating a library of hybrid materials based on tunable, nano-architectured, hierarchically assembled scaffolds that tailor inflammation and angiogenesis. We began by investigating how known growth factor mimics can be delivered in situ for various pathologies. We then utilized self-assembling peptides to conjugate known and de novo sequences with designer affinity. Our efforts span computational design, in vitro characterization of binding kinetics and in vivo evaluation of reduction of pathologic burden. Projects range from designer anti-viral/ anti-microbial peptides to hydrogels that regenerate vasculature for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and root canal infections.

Bio:

Vivek Kumar is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. He completed his PhD in Bioengineering at Georgia Tech, a post doc at BIDMC, Harvard Medical School and at Rice. He began at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJIT, in 2016, secured tenure in 2022, and moved to UH in September of 2025. At UH, his group explores computational peptide materials design, drug discovery, development and delivery, biomaterials and tissue engineering with broad interests in inflammation modulation and angiogenesis. He has published over 60 peer reviewed journal articles and 100 conference abstracts with specific interests in understanding the role of small growth factor or cytokine mimics’ ability to signal cognate receptors, primarily funded by the NIH. Vivek teaches Biomaterials, Biomedical Translation, Entrepreneurship, and grant writing/pitching. He strives to encourage research involvement with undergraduates, graduates and post-doctoral scientists @ the KumarLab.