Agarwal, Gunjan

Biography

Dr. Agarwal received her BS from the JK Institute of Applied Physics (Allahabad), MS (Physics) from Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi) and her doctoral degree in Biophysics from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Mumbai, India). She completed her post-doctoral training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY) and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals (Mason, OH) and as a research scientist at the Air Force Research Lab (WPAFB, OH). She was a  faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at OSU from 2003-2020, before joining the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.  Dr. Agarwal is a faculty mentor in three Engineering graduate programs (MAE, BME and MSE) and two interdisciplinary graduate programs (Biophysics and OSBP).  She teaches courses in Extracellular matrix, Medical Imaging and Microscopy.

Expertise

Professor Agarwal’s research focusses on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling via the collagen receptors discoidin domain receptors (DDRs). We seek to answer fundamental questions pertaining to collagen fibrillogenesis and receptor function at the cell-matrix interface. Our approach encompasses a variety of microscopy techniques to understand the structure and function of the ECM in vascular diseases and bone remodeling.

Another parallel vector of our research is to develop novel biomedical applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM). We have developed many aspects of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to study iron-oxide nanoparticle behavior and tissue iron deposits in health and disease. Professor Agarwal has also established and directs a multi-user Bio-AFM core facility at OSU.