Speaker: Dr Swathi Sudhakar, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering,

IIT Madras.


Title: "Engineering Intelligent Nanomaterials for Cancer and Space Therapeutics"

Date: Friday, 13th 2026 - Time: 4 PM

Hi Tea & Coffee: 5 PM

Venue: CeNSE First Floor-MMCR

Abstract:
Living systems in cancer and space are shaped by extreme and dynamic forces that challenge 
conventional therapeutics. This talk presents a unified nanomaterials framework in which structure, 
mechanics, and energy transduction are engineered to achieve function under such conditions. 
I will showcase thermostable nanoarchaeosomes that preserve bioactivity for cancer immunotherapy, 
protein nanocages that enable programmable molecular confinement and transport, and active micromotors 
that convert external stimuli into directed motion and localized action. By connecting material 
architecture with biological response—particularly under microgravity—this work demonstrates how 
adaptive, intelligent nanomaterials can bridge fundamental nanoscience and resilient therapeutics 
for both Earth-based medicine and space exploration.

Biography:
Dr. Swathi Sudhakar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics and 
Biomedical Engineering at IIT Madras. She earned her PhD in Biology (summa cum laude) from 
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany. A gold medalist in her Bachelor’s and Master’s 
degrees, she received the Reinhold und Maria Teufel-Stiftung Doctoral Award for an outstanding 
dissertation. She is also a recipient of the Humboldt Fellowship, the Tamil Nadu State Government 
Young Scientist Award, and the Merck Young Scientist Award. Her research focuses on nanotherapeutics, 
space medicine, and single-molecule biophysics. She has published in Science and Nature Microgravity, 
filed over 28 patents (with 10 granted), and leads multiple nationally and internationally funded research projects

Host Faculty:  Prof. Vini Gautam