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basic biomechanical research to clinical use via
the development and subsequent commercialisa-
tion of engineering technologies invented by him.
Dr Athanasiou has published 260 full-length pa-
pers, written five books, edited 13 books or special
issues, and obtained 28 patents. His work in bio-
medical engineering has been recognised, by the
Thomas Edison Award, the Van C. Mow Medal
and the Marshall Urist Award, among others.
Dr KyriacosAthanasiou – the epitome of excel-
lence in all levels of engineering: the letter of
recommendation that endorses his substantial
contribution
Distinguished Professor and Dean at the Universi-
ty of California’s College of Engineering, Enrique
J. Lavernia, was the man behind Dr Athanasiou’s
nomination for the Nemitsas Prize.
He explained: “Succinctly, Dr Athanasiou epito-
mises excellence in all levels of engineering, from
basic bench work, to applied research, to trans-
lational applications of his work, to technology
transfer and commercialisation of his patents. The
fruits of his efforts are affecting countless people
around the world.
Professor Athanasiou, since joining the University
of California, Davis, three years ago, has exhibited
superb leadership and definite goals for improving
the visibility of biomedical engineering at Davis
as a nationally ranked programme. Equally impor-
tant, Professor Athanasiou has clearly contributed
major new and high impact findings in biomedical
engineering, a field in which he is internationally
recognised.
Dr Athanasiou is one of those very rare individu-
als, who combine superlative academic perform-
ance, outstanding scholarly achievement, and
exceptional translational results, having invented
technologies, which he has subsequently com-
mercialised, to bring to the market bioengineering
products that are widely used in patients all over
the world.”
Asynopsis of DrAthanasiou’s accomplishments
Professor Lavernia explained: “(Dr Athanasiou’s)
pioneering and extensive work in tissue engineer-
ing has addressed important and complex medi-
cal problems, such as cartilage healing. Professor
Athanasiou was the first to publish on the use of
biodegradable scaffolds as carriers of growth fac-
tors to heal cartilage. Four of his papers on identi-
fying structure-function relationships in cartilage
are the standard in the field.
Nemitsas Award Winner, Dr Kyriacos A. Athanasiou
(left to right) Dr Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Mr Takis Nemitsas
and Justice Minister Mr Loucas Louca
Distinguished Professor Dr Kyriacos A. Athanasiou – the Cypriot who saved
countless lives and improved the quality of many more