Ukita earns STAR Travel Award from Society for Biomaterials

The Society for Biomaterials recently awarded BME Ph.D. candidate, Rei Ukita, a STAR Travel Award for his research project on artificial lungs, a project that was also recognized as an outstanding contribution to the Society’s 2018 Annual Meeting. For his project, Ukita tests the blood biocompatibility of artificial lungs in various settings. Since most artificial lungs fail within one to four weeks due to blood clots, and since current artificial lungs require careful management by trained professionals, Ukita and his collaborators at the University of Washington have been developing a way to extend the lifespan of artificial lung devices. To achieve this goal, they use surface coating technologies to coat handmade devices with a polymer designed to repel proteins and platelets. This coating will prevent blood clot formation and ultimately help artificial lung devices last longer. “If we can prolong the lifespan of artificial lung devices by using coating technology, we can develop devices that will improve the quality of life for patients and provide them with the support they need once they leave the hospital,” says Ukita. Ukita's paper was also selected by the Cardiovascular Executive Committee for the MDPI AG 2018 Poster Award as an outstanding contribution to the Society for Biomaterials’ 2018 Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, GA, April 11-14, 2018.