MUKUNDAN FINALIST FOR 2018 R&D 100 AWARD

NMC Affiliate Harshini Mukundan Named Finalist for Prestigious R&D 100 Award

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) researchers have once again earned national recognition for their innovative work, with ten laboratory-developed technologies selected as finalists for the 2018 R&D 100 Awards. Often referred to as the “Oscars of Innovation,” the annual awards recognize the top 100 technological advancements introduced during the previous year. Winners are selected by an independent panel assembled by R&D Magazine and represent some of the most significant scientific and engineering achievements from industry, government laboratories, and academic institutions around the world.

Among the LANL finalists is Harshini Mukundan, a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist and New Mexico Consortium (NMC) affiliate, whose team was recognized for developing the Universal Bacterial Sensor, a breakthrough technology designed to improve the detection of bacterial infections.

The Universal Bacterial Sensor is inspired by the body’s natural ability to recognize disease-causing microorganisms. By mimicking biological mechanisms used to identify bacterial pathogens, the technology can rapidly detect the presence of bacterial infections, potentially even before patients begin to experience symptoms. Early detection is critical for improving treatment outcomes, reducing the spread of infection, and enabling healthcare providers to intervene before an illness becomes more severe.

Traditional methods for diagnosing bacterial infections can require time-consuming laboratory testing and often rely on symptoms becoming apparent before testing is performed. The Universal Bacterial Sensor offers a promising alternative by providing a faster and more proactive approach to identifying infections. Such technology could have important applications in healthcare settings, public health monitoring, biodefense, and emergency response situations where rapid detection is essential.

Mukundan’s research has focused on developing innovative diagnostic technologies that improve the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases. Her work combines expertise in microbiology, chemistry, and biosensor development to create tools that address critical challenges in human health and national security.

Being selected as an R&D 100 Award finalist highlights the significance and potential impact of the Universal Bacterial Sensor. The recognition places Mukundan and her colleagues among a distinguished group of innovators whose technologies are helping shape the future of science and technology.

The New Mexico Consortium congratulates Harshini Mukundan and her research team on this outstanding achievement and their selection as finalists for one of the nation’s most prestigious innovation awards.

Read the entire LANL article here:
High-impact Los Alamos innovations honored as R&D 100 award finalists