Prajna Dhar

Prajna Dhar is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas. She serves as the Track Director for Biomolecular Engineering and as the Director of Graduate Studies in her department. Her research focuses on understanding biological self-assembly processes and developing interdisciplinary collaborations to address critical challenges in biophysics and nanomedicine.

• Education: B.S. from Presidency College, M.S. from Indian Institute of Technology, and Ph.D. from Florida State University.

The Molecular Engineering & Interfacial Nanomedicine Lab led by Dr. Dhar investigates lipid-protein interactions, biomembrane mechanics, and nanoscale fluctuations that influence diseases like Alzheimer's and Type II diabetes. Her work combines experimental and theoretical biophysical techniques to study interfacial phenomena in synthetic and biological systems, with applications in drug delivery and disease pathology.

Her research has been recognized by the NIH Directors Blog, highlighting its significance in advancing nanomedicine. Current projects include developing miniature drug-delivery devices and studying disease progression through lipid membrane reorganization.

• Contact: prajnadhar@ku.edu | 785-864-4969 | 4132E Learned Hall