Professor Alamelu Sundaresan, acting chair of the Department of Biology at Texas Southern University, is a pioneer in developing model systems to study how external conditions can affect various types of tissues.
Her work focuses on inflammation and bone; she has patented the creation of three-dimensional bone constructs using human bone cells. Research at the Faculty of Dentistry is conducted to find strategies to maintain bone mass and stimulate new bone growth in the jaw.
Widespread inflammatory diseases can cause the jawbone to break down, leading to tooth displacement and loss. Sundaresan's tissue models are significant in this work, and since 2006, she has collaborated with the Faculty of Dentistry. Several doctoral students have been in her laboratory to learn and create three-dimensional bone spheres. She has also shared her knowledge through multiple visits.
Using Sundaresan's three-dimensional bone constructs, the Department of Biomaterials, as the first research group in the world, showed that it is possible to create human bone cells in the laboratory based on her model. This work is a valuable tool for studying mechanisms in osteoporosis, such as the effects of medication treatment.
UiO's honorary doctoral degrees
Honorary doctoral degrees of UiO (Doctor Honoris Causa) are given to prominent academics. The degrees are awarded without a thesis defence/disputation.
UiO has been entitled to appoint honorary doctorates since 1824, and appointments usually occur every three years.
The honorary doctors are conferred at UiO's Annual Celebration on 2 September.