Shyni Varghese

Shyni Varghese is the Laszlo Ormandy Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University, with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering. She directs the Varghese Lab, an interdisciplinary team focused on smart biomaterials, organ-on-chip models, rejuvenation therapies, and translational medical technologies. Her research bridges tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling to address bone healing, osteoarthritis, and age-related tissue degeneration.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry/Materials Science, National Chemical Laboratory (India), 2002

Research spans four pillars:

• Smart Biomaterials: Engineered ECM mimetics, self-healing hydrogels, and stimuli-responsive systems for tissue regeneration.
• Miniature Organs: Organoid and organ-on-chip platforms (e.g., tumor-on-chip, lung alveolus models) to study disease mechanisms.
• Rejuvenation: Targeting cellular senescence, adenosine signaling, and inflammation to enhance aged tissue repair.
• Bench to Bedside: Translating technologies like 'bone bandages' and nanocarriers for fracture healing and osteoporosis.

Recent publications emphasize orthopaedic repair (fracture healing, osteoarthritis), immunomodulation (macrophage reprogramming, immunotherapy), and advanced biomaterials (self-healing lubricants, cartilage-penetrating carriers). Studies frequently employ mouse models and microengineered platforms to dissect pain mechanisms, senescence, and tissue regeneration pathways.

Dr. Varghese advises 10+ doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. Her lab has pioneered innovations like 'DraBot' (environment-responsive soft robot) and 'cell pouch' xenotransplantation devices. Collaborative projects include NIH-funded work on bone radioprotection and NSF-supported biomaterial design.

The Varghese Lab occupies the Duke Medical Science Research Building, fostering collaborations with clinicians and engineers. Current projects explore:

• Senolysis for neuroinflammation mitigation
• Adenosine-based therapies for bone loss
• 3D tumor models for immunotherapy screening