On February 19, Dr. Punit Prakash, who joined GW Engineering last fall, was installed as the Alisann and Terry Collins Professor of Biomedical Engineering in a ceremony at the Science and Engineering Hall. Prakash brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the school that promises to enhance the visibility and impact of our biomedical engineering research while expanding educational opportunities.
At the ceremony, David Karlgaard, D.Sc. ‘74, spoke on behalf of the Collins family, underscoring the importance of the endowed professorship in advancing biomedical engineering at GW. Provost Christopher Alan Bracey also took a moment to reflect on the significance and history of endowed professorships.
Other speakers, GW Engineering Dean John Lach, Biomedical Engineering Department Chair Dr. Vesna Zderic, and Dr. Chris Diedrich, Prakash’s mentor while working at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), highlighted his impact as a researcher, educator, and leader.
“Serving as the Alisann and Terry Collins Professor of Biomedical Engineering is both a tremendous honor and a great responsibility. I know that Punit will carry it with pride and a commitment to academic excellence,” said Dean Lach.
Prakash’s research focuses on translating image-guided thermal ablation technologies from computational models into new clinical therapies. He entered the field of biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he completed his master’s and doctoral studies before conducting postdoctoral research at UCSF.
Most recently, Prakash held the Paul L. Spainhour Professorship in Electrical Engineering at Kansas State University, where his research group developed needle- and catheter-based devices that harness microwave energy to ablate tumors and a device offering directional control of ablation patterns for more precise treatment. Now at GW Engineering, Prakash is leveraging the school’s collaborative environment to continue advancing these minimally invasive technologies, particularly for lung cancer.
“I am excited to join the BME Department at GW and work closely with outstanding colleagues, researchers, and students,” said Prakash.
Among Prakash’s federally supported research projects is an ongoing clinical study with external industry and clinical partners, where patients are being treated with the group’s flexible ablation catheter. This technology, protected by some issued and pending patents, overcomes challenges in accessing tumors in hard-to-reach lung sites by integration with virtual bronchoscopy systems for navigating through the airways. To expand their impact, Prakash and colleagues are working to develop a computational pipeline that analyzes imaging data to better predict treatment outcomes.
This research-driven approach aligns closely with the vision behind the Collins Professorship. Terry Collins, D.Sc. ‘76, and his late wife, Alisann, established the professorship in 2014 as part of a $2.5 million gift that also created scholarships for eight students. Collins was inspired by GW Engineering’s growth during his time on GW’s Board of Trustees and the need for science and engineering leadership in the nation’s capital. His gift cements his legacy at GW Engineering, ensuring continued innovation at the intersection of engineering and medicine.
With the support of the Collins Professorship, Prakash will extend GW Engineering’s ability to improve healthcare. His goal is to bridge translational and regulatory science with clinical needs through graduate training in energy-based technologies for cell and tissue modulation, monitoring, and assessment and foster a dynamic environment for research and education in the BME Department.