Dr. Todd Sulchek, Assistant Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded a 2011 Faculty Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation.  This award was in response to his proposal titled  “Understanding Multivalent Biological Bonds for Biosensing Applications.”  

Dr. Sulchek will be studying multivalent protein adhesion in order to improve how well biosensors can bind target molecules. He hopes to create methods to watch the binding and unbinding of multiple protein bonds in quick succession and close proximity.  He will also be working with local high schools to help match biology students with physical science students in order to emphasize the overlapping nature of the scientific and engineering disciplines.  Currently two high school students work in Dr. Sulchek's lab and he would like to organize 10-20 teams of students in the future.  

Dr. Sulchek received his B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from John Hopkins in 1996 followed by his M.S. and Ph.D. in Applied Sciences from Stanford University in 2000 and 2006 respectively.  He joined Georgia Tech in June 2008.